Arcelia and David’s Love Story at Villa la Joya: Riviera Maya Wedding Venue Experience
After every wedding at Villa la Joya, we love to reconnect with the couples who celebrated their special day at our private venue in the Riviera Maya. Once the festivities have concluded and the newlyweds embark on their happily ever after, we send out a brief questionnaire to capture their unique love story. We’re excited to feature these beautiful tales on our Real Destination Weddings blog.
The love stories we receive are truly unique, and each response to our questionnaire is a delight to read. Arcelia and David generously shared their heartfelt journey with us, and we absolutely loved their in-depth reply. We believe their story will inspire and guide anyone planning a destination wedding in Mexico.
Arcelia’s beautifully crafted words resonate deeply, showcasing her talent for storytelling. We’re excited to let her share their love story along with her valuable tips for brides planning a destination wedding in the Riviera Maya at Villa la Joya.
How did you meet your true love? Tell us about your proposal and engagement!
From the bride: How we met
In the fall of 2018, in the vibrant city lights of Houston, destiny wove a tale of love at a networking event. Arcelia, a skilled legal professional entered the venue with a mix of anticipation and nerves. Meanwhile, David, a charismatic tech savvy entrepreneur effortlessly held court in a corner of the room.
As fate would have it, their worlds collided when David was drawn to Arcelia's insights, passion and animated conversation about the future of business. What began as professional curiosity transformed into a personal connection, catching David off guard.
Their initial conversations weren't just about business; they discovered a shared vision, a mutual love for pushing boundaries, and a passion for embracing change. The connection they formed that evening was more than just professional - it was a spark that ignited a flame of something deeper.
Days turned into weeks, and Arcelia and David found themselves not only collaborating professionally but also exploring the depths of their personal stories. David’s chivalry was evident in the way he treated not only Arcelia but also the significant women in his life, his mom and sisters, was a testament to his understanding of respect and admiration. Their connection deepened further when their first date took place at a local church. Common principles such as a deep sense of faith and a strong commitment to family became the foundation of their bond. Coffee meetings turned into dinners, and soon, they were inseparable. Their shared dreams and the undeniable chemistry between them turned into a beautiful relationship.
The engagement and wedding proposal:
In December of 2022, David planned a romantic dinner that exceeded all expectations. The setting was enchanting – a softly lit private dining room adorned with a pianist singing a romantic melody, flickering candles casting a warm, glow, vibrant balloons adding a touch of playfulness, and fragrant flowers creating an ambiance of love.
As the night unfolded, the atmosphere became even more magical when big lights illuminated the words "Marry Me?" David dropped to one knee and poured his heart out to Arcelia, expressing his deepest feelings, and proposing amidst the sparkling lights. The moment was enchanting, followed by a tequila toast, and a mariachi band that created a dynamic duo that symbolizes the essence of their Mexican culture. To their delight, as the door opened a reveal of both families, turning the celebration into a joyous, harmonious, love-filled affair. As they celebrated their love surrounded by the glow of December lights, Arcelia and David embraced the next chapter of their journey with hearts full of joy and the promise of a beautiful future together.
Why did you choose Riviera Maya, Mexico for your destination wedding?
We chose the Riviera Maya, Mexico for our destination wedding because it holds special memories from our early days of dating when we first traveled there together. Our shared love for the beach and the enchanting beauty of the area made it the perfect choice. We also wanted our wedding to celebrate our cultures, and Mexico was the ideal setting for this meaningful occasion.
How did you choose Villa La Joya as your destination wedding venue?
We first discovered Villa La Joya on TikTok and instantly fell in love with the stunning views we saw on screen. Eight months before our wedding, we booked a flight to Mexico to kick off the planning process and scheduled tours of various venues. When we visited Villa La Joya, we knew it was the one - it had everything we were looking for breathtaking beach views, separate getting-ready houses for both the bride and groom, and a convenient location just a short drive from the city.
What are the highlights of your Riviera Maya wedding at Villa la Joya?
What was your destination wedding theme, and how did you celebrate?
Our wedding theme was elegant and classy, featuring beautiful white flowers throughout the venue. We celebrated with fireworks, a curated selection of tequila, great music, and exquisite food options, creating an unforgettable atmosphere for our special day.
What were the highlights and favorite moments of your Riviera Maya wedding day?
Narrowing down our favorite moments from the wedding is truly a challenge because the entire day was a stunning blend of surprises, laughter, and pure joy. The most emotional part for us was during the ceremony, as we exchanged our personalized vows alongside the ocean breeze and the warm sun on our faces, surrounded by our beloved friends and family, it felt like pure magic.
Another highlight was the family toast, where our loved ones shared heartfelt words that touched our hearts. And of course, our favorite moment was dancing under the moonlight, with the gentle breeze and vibrant beats, surrounded by our closest friends and family, creating endless unforgettable memories together.
Advice for couples planning a destination wedding in Mexico?
Anything you would have done differently on your wedding day?
Everything about our wedding was perfect, from our amazing vendors to the flow of the day. However, we wish we had paid everything upfront to avoid the hassle of handling payments the day before or the day of the wedding.
What advice would you give to brides planning a destination wedding?
For future destination wedding brides, I highly recommend hiring someone outside of your wedding planner or coordinator to assist with logistics beyond the wedding day, such as your website, registry, pre-wedding events like the bachelorette party and bridal shower, and travel logistics like booking car rentals from the airport.
What advice would you give to brides planning a destination wedding?
For future destination wedding brides, I highly recommend hiring someone outside of your wedding planner or coordinator to assist with logistics beyond the wedding day, such as your website, registry, pre-wedding events like the bachelorette party and bridal shower, and travel logistics like booking car rentals from the airport.
We were fortunate to hire my sister-in-law to help with all these details and coordinate on the day of the wedding. As business owners, my husband and I had a lot on our plates, and we couldn’t have done it without the additional help. Also, be sure to enjoy the wedding process -create a WhatsApp group for all your guests, and most importantly, enjoy the night!
Big thanks, muchas gracias to Arcelia and David!
We loved your creative response and carefully considered words and we thank you so much for sharing your destination wedding experience. All of us at Villa la Joya Riviera Maya send our gratitude and best wishes for a long and happy lifetime together.
As always, we want to thank all the Riviera Maya wedding vendors who made this event at our private villa venue so memorable. We are blessed to work with the best and we are grateful for your creativity and professionalism. We look forward to the next one, let’s make more wedding dreams come true!
Planner. Pride Maya Weddings | Photo. Sweet Fire Photography | Glam Bride. Beauty by Marlene Gallegos | Glam Guests. Hello Beauty | Robe. Voir Bride | Dresses. Ventura Bridal (dress and crown) & Meshki Bridal | Necklace. Mesmera by Swarovski | Shoes. Jimmy Choo | Florals. MSM Rentals | Minister. Alex Boma | Dance Floor. Hercon Entertainment | Catering. Gourmet Soberanis | Cocktails. Be You Service | Cake. Lali Pasteles | Churros. Los Pockets | Entertainment. Pic Me Photobooth & Pyrotech | Sax. Fisax Jazz | Audio & DJ. DJ Marco Ent & Disco Movil Cancun
Contact us today at Villa la Joya Riviera Maya wedding venue and let’s turn your vision boards into a reality!