Villa La Joya Playa del Carmen Wedding Magic
The Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen wedding of Candice and Daniel was a day full of the warmth and happiness of family and friends celebrating love! We asked bride Candice to share her thoughts to inspire future couples in love, we know you will adore this magical story of a perfect Playa del Carmen wedding.
How did you meet the love of your life?
We actually don't agree on how we first met! Candice (the bride) remembers meeting Daniel (the groom) during her high school freshman year chemistry class. But Daniel insists that they actually met the summer before when they both took part in a lifeguarding summer camp! I guess we'll never know...
Why choose a destination wedding in Mexico?
It goes without saying that Mexico (especially the Riviera Maya) is a dream destination - where the landscape is beautiful, the costs are affordable, and the people are incredibly friendly and welcoming. But for us this was more than just about aesthetics and money, we ultimately chose Mexico because it's where Daniel is from! He was born in Mexico City, so it felt special to mark this amazing occasion in a place that already means so much.
Why choose a Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen wedding?
We found Villa La Joya through Instagram and it's actually how we met our amazing wedding planners and the rest of our vendor team! When we first stepped foot through the gates of Villa La Joya, it was like walking into the best of every venue we'd previously visited. The location had the authentic Mexican spirit we were looking for, but it also had the dreamy beachy view without compromising the castle-like aesthetic of a traditional villa. The pool gave the venue another dimension, especially once we knew we could cover part of it with a larger dance floor! We absolutely fell in love with the venue at first sight. It looked better than any of the photos we had drooled over on Instagram and the inspiration for our wedding flooded in immediately - the excitement to get married was made even more electric as soon as we settled on Villa La Joya!
What was your favorite/most emotional or funniest moment of your Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen wedding day?
After endless hours of planning, several cross-country visits, and one or two pandemic-related panic attacks, it felt like a miracle that the day even happened. We were so lucky to have the absolutely amazing wedding planning and vendor team that we had - none of this would have been possible without every single one of them. They made the experience effortless and fun. We have to say that our favorite part of the wedding is when 1 AM came around and almost EVERY SINGLE GUEST was still on the dance floor. When all of the groomsmen decided to do a (surprise!) choreographed dance that really topped off the night. Our dream team really came through to make this the absolute best night of our lives. The ambiance, the decor, the food, the music, all of it was spectacular - how can we pick just a single moment or thing? The first dances and speeches were incredibly emotional, the ceremony was gorgeous, and the first look brought laughter and tears. We genuinely feel so fortunate to have had this night.
Did you do any pre or post-wedding events for your group?
Yes! We did a couple of pre-wedding events in the Riviera Maya!
The wedding was on a Friday, so the Wednesday before we went to Xoximilco with whoever was able to make it. It was a great experience and a wonderful way to have our friends and family meet one another before the big day. This was absolutely a once-in-a-lifetime experience and a fabulous way to get a little taste of Mexico all while on a party boat! 10/10 recommend!
We also chose to have a rehearsal dinner with our bridal party on the night before the wedding. We catered the dinner by Nero Tacos and Triciclo, and this was a smash hit! It was a perfect introduction to Mexican tacos and desserts/street snacks. Since most of our bridal party was staying at the Gilda Villas next door to Villa La Joya, that's where the rehearsal took place. This made it easy for everyone to arrive at the location and also allowed us to have a pool party as a rehearsal dinner! It was wonderful!
Anything you would have done differently? Any tips for planning a Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen wedding?
I think the only thing that I would have done differently is not to spend so much time stressing out over the planning in the lead-up to the wedding. Trust that your incredible planner team and vendors have it all under control (because they do!). On the day of, I wouldn't have changed a thing. It was the most surreal day and I visit it in my dreams often
My best advice is to make sure you get a great wedding planning and vendor team on your side! That will make the biggest difference. Focus on the joy and warmth that surrounds you on the big day - that's really what matters. Don't stress on the day of your wedding, just know you planned everything with your team and they will figure it all out while you enjoy all the hard work that led up to the wedding day. I even turned my phone off and gave it to one of my maids of honor so that I wasn't receiving messages that would distract me from the event. Trust me, they can wait until the next day!
Thanks again for being the BEST venue!
Muchas gracias Candice and Daniel! All the best for a future full of love and happiness
We would like to extend our big thanks to Candice and Daniel for choosing a Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen wedding, it was our pleasure to host you and your amazing family and friends. These lovebirds were simply glowing and amor was the theme of the day, a union not only of Candice and Daniel but of their families forever. Gracias to all for a wonderful event!
Feeling inspired? Contact us today to start planning your own private villa wedding in Playa del Carmen at Villa la Joya.
As always we would like to extend our gratitude to all the incredible Playa del Carmen wedding vendors who helped make this a stunning event. If you can dream it, we can make it happen and there are NO vendor fees at Villa la Joya! Email us today!
Venue: Villa La Joya
Wedding Planners: Paradise Wedding & Events (Gaby, Anna & Mina)
Photographer: Caro Navarro Photography
Photographer (engagement shoot): DriftCurrent Adventures (underwater photos)
Videographer: Amare Weddings Mexico
MUA: Zöe Elizabeth Makeup
Flowers: Cherry Blossom Mexico
Caterer: Gourmet Soberanis
Desserts: Lluvia de Azucar; Los Pockets (churro cart)
Rentals: EW Cancun
Alcohol: Barras Libres
Music/DJ: Plug In Audiovisual
Dress: Pronovias (top + ceremony skirt); David's Bridal (reception skirt)
Accommodations: Gilda Villas
Transportation: Xelbor
Dance Floor/Pool Cover: Hercon Entertainment