We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jodi Schlichting a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Jodi, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about a time you helped a customer really get an amazing result through their work with you.

A Destination Wedding Success Story: Francesca Daren’s Dream Wedding at Unico Riviera Maya Francesca and Daren fell in love with Tulum, Mexico during a New Year’s Even trip. They were drawn to its bohemian charm, laid-back vibe, and authentic Mexican feel—a vibe they wanted to recreate for their wedding. But there was one major challenge: most resorts in Tulum are not all-inclusive, making it harder to ensure a seamless experience for their guests.

They envisioned a high-end, adults-only resort that felt uniquely Mexican while still offering the ease and convenience of an all-inclusive resort. But with so many options in the Riviera Maya area, they felt overwhelmed and unsure where to begin.

That’s when they reached out to me at EverAfter Travel.

Finding the Perfect Resort
After getting to know their vision even better, I introduced them to Unico Riviera Maya—and it was the perfect match. Unlike large, commercial resorts, Unico embodies modern Mexican design, handcrafted décor, and locally inspired dining. Its intimate, boutique feel sets it apart, while its proximity to Tulum allowed them to incorporate the vibe they loved without sacrificing the convenience of an all-inclusive.

Not only did Unico deliver on aesthetics and ambiance, but it also offered fantastic wedding perks for groups, making it a win-win for both the couple and their guests.

Stress-Free Travel Guest Experience
While Francesca and Daren worked directly with Unico’s wedding team on the event details, I was there to answer questions, ease concerns, and help navigate the process. One of their biggest worries was planning a wedding remotely—without seeing venues in person or knowing if they’d receive personalized attention from the resort. I helped alleviate these concerns by guiding them through the venue options, wedding packages, and key resort offerings, and I was there as a resource whenever they needed guidance.

In addition to helping them find the perfect resort, I also:
• Secured a room block for their guests, locking in group rates and ensuring availability
• Coordinated travel logistics, including airport transfers for a seamless arrival and departure
• Provided guests with essential travel details and checked in on everyone during their stay—small touches that made a big impact

A Wedding Weekend to Remember
When the big day arrived, everything came together beautifully. Their beachfront ceremony and boho-chic reception at the Terraza Verde venue perfectly reflected their vision—an intimate, joy-filled event with their closest family and friends.

Beyond the wedding itself, Francesca and Daren wanted to extend the celebration, so I helped them organize a post-wedding excursion with friends. It was the perfect way to soak in more of Mexico’s beauty and create even more unforgettable memories.

In Their Words
Looking back, they said working with EverAfter Travel was one of the best decisions they made:
“Jodi was patient, thoughtful, and listened to what we wanted. She helped us find an amazing resort to get married at and then helped calm our anxiousness when working with the resort wasn’t as easy. The best part was that Jodi handled all the travel aspects for our guests, which alleviated so much stress for us.”

Their advice to other couples? “Try not to stress too much. Focus on what matters most to you and don’t worry about everyone else’s opinions—this is your day!”

Francesca and Daren’s wedding is a perfect example of how having a destination wedding specialist can turn a dream into reality. It was an honor to be part of their journey, and I love knowing they’ll cherish these memories for a lifetime.

Jodi, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Hi! I’m Jodi Schlichting from EverAfter Travel, where I specialize in helping couples plan stress-free destination weddings at all-inclusive resorts in Mexico and the Caribbean. My role is to take the overwhelming, time-consuming parts of destination wedding travel off my clients’ plates so they can focus on what truly matters—celebrating their love with the people who mean the most to them.

My journey into the travel industry was fueled by a love for travel and a passion for creating unforgettable experiences. As I learned more about the challenges couples faced when planning a destination wedding—choosing the right resort, securing room blocks, and coordinating travel for guests—I knew I could use my expertise and skills to simplify the process. That’s when I decided to specialize in only destination weddings to make the process easier, more personalized, and more enjoyable for couples.

What I Do How I Help Couples
Many couples come to me feeling overwhelmed by the sheer number of resort options and unsure how to ensure a smooth experience for their guests. My job is to simplify this process and provide expert guidance every step of the way. Here’s how I help:

✔ Finding the Right Resort: I take the time to understand each couple’s vision and recommend resorts that align with their style, budget, and priorities. Not all all-inclusive resorts are the same, and I help couples choose the one that is the best fit for their celebration.

✔ Securing a Room Block: Setting up a room block provides guests with specially contracted rates and perks while ensuring availability at the resort—helping to avoid potential price increases or sellouts.

✔ Coordinating All Guest Travel: I handle every detail, from booking rooms and arranging airport transfers to answering guest questions and providing travel tips to ensure everyone has a smooth experience.

✔ Providing Ongoing Support: While the couple works directly with the resort’s wedding team on the event details, I’m always here throughout the planning process as a trusted resource to answer questions, navigate challenges, and advocate for them when needed. Many of my clients tell me that working with EverAfter Travel was one of the best decisions they made because it saved them time, stress, and frustration while giving them the confidence that everything was handled.

What Sets EverAfter Travel Apart
 Personalized Attention: Unlike larger agencies, I don’t treat couples as just another booking. I intentionally limit the number of clients I take on so each couple receives the individualized attention they deserve.

 Expert Guidance: With years of experience in the industry, I know the ins and outs of planning a destination wedding, including which resorts truly deliver on their promises and how to avoid common pitfalls. My clients don’t have to spend hours researching resorts, reading endless reviews, or worrying about making the wrong choice—I provide expert recommendations based on firsthand experience.

 Seamless Travel Experience: My role doesn’t end once the rooms are booked. I make sure guests feel well-prepared and taken care of before and during their trip, providing important travel details and checking in along the way.

What I’m Most Proud Of
I’m incredibly proud that I’ve been able to turn what can be a stressful process into an exciting, enjoyable experience for my couples. When I hear from clients that their wedding was everything they dreamed of—and that the travel process was seamless for them and their guests—I know I’ve done my job well.

Nothing makes me happier than knowing I’ve played a part in helping couples create lifelong memories in a beautiful destination, surrounded by the people they love most.

What I Want Couples to Know
If you’re dreaming of a destination wedding but feeling unsure about where to start, I’m here to help. I’ll guide you through the process, answer your questions, and make sure you feel confident in your decisions every step of the way. Your destination wedding should be unforgettable for all the right reasons—not because of stress. With EverAfter Travel, you’ll have a dedicated partner to make the entire travel process smooth and worry-free for both you and your guests.

💻 Learn more at www.everaftertravel.org.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

My reputation has been built on a foundation of trust, expertise, and highly personalized service. Couples know they’re not just working with a large agency that treats them like a transaction—they’re working with someone who genuinely cares about their wedding and their experience.

One of the biggest factors in building my reputation has been my commitment to clear communication and ongoing support. Destination weddings come with a lot of moving parts, and couples appreciate having someone who is responsive, proactive, and able to guide them through the entire process. I make sure my couples feel confident in their choices, keep their guests informed, and handle any travel-related concerns so they can focus on enjoying their engagement and wedding day.

Additionally, word-of-mouth referrals have played a huge role. When couples and their guests have a smooth, stress-free experience, they naturally share their positive experiences with others. Many of my new clients come from past couples who rave about how easy I made the process for them. That kind of trust and validation is invaluable.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy has been a combination of referrals, strong relationships, and providing exceptional service. Destination weddings are deeply personal, and couples want to work with someone they can trust. When they see how much care and expertise I bring to their wedding travel, they often refer me to their engaged friends or family members who are considering a destination wedding.

I also focus on education-based marketing. Rather than just promoting my services, I share helpful content that answers common questions couples have about destination wedding planning. Whether it’s through my website, social media, or direct conversations, I aim to be a trusted resource. When couples feel informed and supported, they’re more likely to choose me as their travel specialist.

Finally, building strong relationships with resorts has been key. Because I work closely with wedding teams at various resorts, I know which ones provide the best experiences for my couples. This inside knowledge not only helps me match couples with the right resort, but it also ensures they get the best possible support from the venue itself.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.everaftertravel.org/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everafter_travel/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EverafterTravelMN
• Other: https://www.pinterest.com/everaftertravel/

Image Credits
Adrian Bonet Photography