Erin & Tyler Hogan

Pastor Chris was an answer to prayer. His presence at our wedding, as well as his direct involvement in the planning and coordination of our special day was a blessing that made it truly memorable.

My husband and I were planning our dream wedding in Playa del Carmen when we ran into a major hurdle. We wanted the ceremony to be unique and to tell the story of our love for each other.

Likewise, we wanted the person who was overseeing our wedding ceremony to know why our marriage was so important to us. We wanted to get to know our wedding official, and we wanted them to get to know us. Unfortunately the resort would not accommodate our request to contact their pastor more than three hours before our wedding ceremony. We respectfully declined the resort pastor and scratched our head’s wondering what we were going to do about a ceremony official. I was at my wit’s end in planning preparations and even contemplated going without an official, hoping that everyone would know their proper cue. We prayed that a solution would present itself.

Finally, my innovative mother Google-searched churches in Playa del Carman and came across Pastor Christian Carballo’s email address. She sent him an email outlining our situation and asked if he knew anyone that could perform a marriage ceremony for her daughter. Pastor Chris responded to my mother and before I knew it they were talking to each other on the phone and he requested that I email him so we could work out a plan.

We emailed back and forth about ceremony details. He even sent me a wedding script that he normally uses, and was incredibly supportive, and flexible, when I told him that I wanted to write my own.

When my now-husband and I left Canada to travel to Mexico we had made arrangements to finally meet Pastor Chris at the resort. On the day he had planned to meet us, his car broke down! Pastor Chris took a bus and ran part of the way just to meet us at our resort on time! After our initial meet-and-greet he was joking around with my fiancé in no time, which really put my fiancé at ease.

Pastor Chris also took the time to attend our Rehearsal Ceremony, which was delayed by an hour due to a trial-hair-appointment-gone-wrong. He waited for the bride to arrive with the rest of the wedding party and used the opportunity to get to know us.

On our wedding day Pastor Chris was a fantastic support. He helped my husband with his nerves and he joked around with the groomsmen. There ceremony was perfect. Afterward Pastor Chris and his wife joined us for the wedding reception and joined my parents at their table.

At the end of the day, when all was said and done, I am truly amazed at Pastor Chris’ commitment and dedication toward making sure our wedding in Playa del Carmen was unforgettable. He was such a blessing in our time of need and our experience goes to show that the Church is wider and more far-reaching than we realize. My husband and I are grateful that we have been able to build a relationship with our wedding official and we look forward to staying in touch in the years to come.

Erin & Tyler Hogan