Viewing entries tagged
Religious Wedding

Johanna & Ferran's Stylish Villa la Joya Wedding in Riviera Maya

July 19, 2026

Johanna and Ferran's wedding was built on the things that mattered to them: faith, family, and a party their people would remember. A traditional Catholic ceremony, a family-style dinner, and one very happy group of guests who came ready to celebrate — it all unfolded here in a single golden afternoon that stretched late into the night.

A Traditional Catholic Ceremony at Villa la Joya

Johanna and Ferran exchanged vows on Villa la Joya's front steps, where flowing white drapery framed the entrance and lush green and white floral arrangements highlighted the villa's architecture and the tropical setting.

Guests were welcomed with white parasols and handheld fans, thoughtful additions that offered relief from the Riviera Maya sunshine while adding to the ceremony's simple, elegant design. Light wood chairs completed the setting, keeping the focus exactly where it belonged.

Their Catholic ceremony included the traditional lazo ritual, a meaningful symbol of unity and lifelong commitment. It was one of several moments throughout the day that reflected the importance of family and tradition to the bride and groom.

As they made their way back down the aisle, Johanna was beaming. She held her bouquet high while Ferran raised his hand overhead as friends and family cheered around them. It was one of those joyful “just-married” moments that needs very little explanation.

Contemporary Bridal Style

Johanna chose a fitted wedding gown with clean lines and a daring thigh-high slit that gave the classic silhouette a modern edge. She completed the look with a long veil, lacy gloves and a fresh bouquet of white and green blooms. Ferran wore a classic black tuxedo and bow tie, a timeless choice that suited the formal ceremony perfectly.

Mariachis and a Family-Style Reception

Cocktail hour began with live mariachi music as guests gathered in the Villa la Joya garden overlooking the Mexican Caribbean Sea. A cozy seating area, refreshing drinks and music set the scene for the festivities ahead.

Long family-style tables stretched across the terrace beneath oversized woven pendant lights that were one of the reception's standout design features. Green runners, warm wood chargers, brushed gold flatware and simple white florals created a beautiful tablescape. One of our favourite details was the fresh green apples, grapes and limes woven into the centrepieces, adding colour and texture without overwhelming the design.

Instead of choosing a sweetheart table or a traditional head table, Johanna and Ferran sat among their family and friends, sharing dinner with the people who had travelled to celebrate with them.

Nancy and the team at Villa Planners held the whole day together, moving everyone through ceremony, cocktails, and dinner without a single seam showing.

A Reception Full of Celebration. And Tequila.

The celebration picked up the moment Johanna and Ferran entered the reception, welcomed by cheering guests who were more than ready to get the party started.

One of the most memorable moments of the evening had a very Mexican flavor. The catering team brought tequila directly to the guests instead of waiting behind the bar. Dancing between the tables with bottles topped by sparkling fireworks, they turned serving drinks into part of the entertainment. Laughter, cheers and plenty of raised glasses followed.

Thank you for bringing your faith, your families, and that much joy to Villa la Joya. We wish you a lifetime that feels like your reception did.

Planning Your Own Villa la Joya Wedding?

Johanna and Ferran's wedding never felt like it was trying too hard. The ceremony was rooted in tradition, the dinner felt like family, and the party took care of itself. That balance, meaningful and relaxed in the same breath, is what this estate does best.

If you're planning your own destination wedding in Mexico, explore more of our real Villa la Joya weddings and discover the many ways couples have made this private villa entirely their own.

Destination wedding vendors in Mexico, muchas gracias

Big thanks to the Playa del Carmen wedding vendors who bring their creativity and professionalism to each and every event.

Joanna and Rafa’s Inspiring Love Story and Destination Wedding in Mexico

May 14, 2024

The team at Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen is grateful to spend our days immersed in love stories and making wedding dreams come true. We are excited to share these stories with you and while I always enjoy writing these tales, sometimes the bride’s words are just so moving that I don’t need to write a thing or change a word.

Bride Joanna shares with us the love story of how she met husband Rafa:

Their love story began with a chance encounter in high school. Joanna and Rafael’s paths converged, sparking a connection that would change their lives forever. After that fateful meeting, Joanna extended a heartfelt invitation to Rafael, inviting him to be a part of her quinceañera celebration. Little did they know that this simple gesture would set the stage for an enduring love story.

As they navigated the trials and tribulations of adolescence, fate threw them a curveball when Joanna received a life-altering diagnosis of ovarian cancer. Facing this daunting challenge at such a tender age, they were forced to make a profound decision about starting a family earlier than planned. With unwavering devotion to each other, Joanna and Rafael chose to embrace the moment, and together, they welcomed a beautiful daughter into the world. This unexpected twist in their journey would lead them down a path of maturity and responsibility they never could have anticipated.

Now, 15 years after that serendipitous encounter, Joanna and Rafael are on the verge of a heartwarming union, sealing their love in matrimony. Their remarkable journey serves as a testament to the power of love, resilience, and the extraordinary bond that can be forged between two souls. Their impending wedding is a culmination of their enduring love story, a celebration of their unwavering commitment, and a reminder that love can conquer any challenge life throws their way.

Pass the tissues please, yes, we are crying already and we haven’t even gotten to the ceremony.

Why choose Mexico for your destination wedding ceremony?

We picked Mexico as our destination since it served as a midpoint for both families, as some relatives couldn’t join us in the United States. Additionally, Mexico’s beauty, culture, and all its offerings were appealing factors for our decision.

Joanna and Rafa said “We do” in the gardens of Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen. The set-up was delightfully romantic, the geometric altar aligned with the Mexican Caribbean sea in the background and framing our gorgeous couple perfectly.

Florals by Cherry Blossom brought a luscious touch to the altar, the aisle and of course those amazing bouquets. We adore sweet flower girls and ring bearers coming down a grass aisle lined by flower petals.

What made you decide on a wedding reception at Villa La Joya Playa del Carmen?

Villa la Joya captured our attention with its stunning architecture and the beautiful Playa Paraiso beach. When we visited the location in person, it truly left us speechless and filled us with emotions. We instantly knew that our celebration had to take place at the exquisite Villa la Joya.

We totally loved the set-up starting with Total Tents and their gorgeous translucent tent with flowing waves of fabric. Beautiful table settings and florals, personalized dance floor and the lighting for the reception over the Villa la Joya pool, just perfect. Moving toasts, tequila and a whole lot of dancing, it was a magic night of celebration and a Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen wedding to remember.

Any advice you’d like to share with other brides planning a destination wedding in Mexico?

Savor the Present. It’s easy to get carried away with planning and striving for perfection, but things have a way of falling perfectly into place. A helpful tip, though, would be to avoid bringing your personal phone near water – my phone got wet and stopped working just a day before the wedding, a funny mishap in hindsight!

Gracias Joanna and Rafa: Thanks for your inspirational destination wedding love story!

We thank you both for inviting Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen to be part of the wedding chapter of your love story. From all of us, we send you both wishes for a long, healthy, and happy lifetime together!

As always, we share our gratitude with the Playa del Carmen wedding vendors who make all our Villa la Joya events so special. Professional, creative, world-class, gracias.

Pretty in Pink Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen Wedding

June 24, 2023

Sadett & Maximiliano: Pretty in Pink Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen Wedding

Muchas felicidades and big congratulations to Sadett and Maximiliano who recently painted Villa la Joya pink with their romantic Playa del Carmen wedding. There were endless divine details and the elegant florals by Vicente Coral created a magical setting perfect for amor. You are definitely going to want to see ALL the wedding photos by Isabella Rodriguez, this was a joyous celebration of love with family and friends.

Catholic Wedding Ceremony Playa del Carmen: Religious and Civil Ceremonies

Can you have a traditional Catholic ceremony at a destination wedding in Mexico? Yes, you can! We are often asked this question and we are always happy to help plan a religious wedding in Playa del Carmen.

Sadett and Maximiliano incorporated both a religious and a civil ceremony into their wedding day, sharing their faith and commitment for a lifetime. The Villa la Joya grand entrance staircase witnessed this gorgeous couple exchanging their vows, Sadett in a stunning bridal gown that showed off her enviable figure and Maximiliano in an absolutely fabulous pink suit. With loved ones in various shades of pink, it was a remarkably romantic scene.

Inspired wedding reception decor: Intimate, elegant and playful fiesta

Sadett and Maximiliano had such a unique and personalized reception set-up, with intimate tents and extravagant florals and lights. The dance floor over the pool, the luscious sweethearts table, and live music, we loved every moment and detail. The cake by Doux Melange was a cascade of white sugar roses and a tribute to the couple’s beloved dogs who could not attend.

After a gourmet meal by Banquetes Camino Premium catering and toasts that elicited tears and laughter, the party really kicked off. The smiles on the dance floor say it all, this was an epic fun fiesta and the perfect way to join the families together in grand style. Generations from young to old joined together to dance the night away and wish the newlyweds a long and happy life together.

Inspired by this real Playa del Carmen wedding? Let’s start planning!

We were absolutely inspired by the wedding of Sadett and Maximiliano. It's a pleasure to work with dynamic couples to bring their creative ideas to life. Of course, this is the combined efforts of all the wedding vendors who came together at Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen for a spectacular day. We ADORE meeting vendors from around the world in collaboration to create the perfect destination wedding in Mexico and we send our gratitude to all who brought the magic to Sadett and Maximilliano’s big day.