At a glance: This real wedding at Villa la Joya in the Riviera Maya included a full Catholic ceremony, a private villa setting, a family-friendly celebration, and a late-night reception with live entertainment and fireworks.

We were honored to host Lilia and Felix’s wedding at Villa la Joya, welcoming their families and friends for a day that blended faith, celebration, and time spent together from first toast to farewell.

From the moment guests arrived, it was clear this would be a celebration meant to be shared. Guests of all ages settled in, children explored the grounds, conversations carried easily through the villa, and the pace felt calm and unforced. The day unfolded from first looks to final hugs and a classic car exit.

The Story of Lilia & Felix

Their journey began years ago at a mutual friend's party back in high school. It wasn’t a night of long conversations; instead, it started with simple eye contact across the room. A few days later, Felix reached out with a message, and as they say, the rest was history.

Fast forward through years of shared growth and milestones, including Lilia’s nursing school graduation. She thought she was heading to a photoshoot to celebrate her hard work as a new nurse, but Felix had a much bigger celebration in mind. He turned that graduation milestone into a life-changing surprise by proposing right there during the session.

The Ceremony

We watched as Lilia arrived in a horse-drawn carriage, wearing a full princess gown with a dramatic train and long veil. The wide ceremony aisle gave her space to move slowly and really take in the moment. Felix waited at the altar in a classic black tuxedo, surrounded by family and friends.

The ceremony took place overlooking the sea, framed by a rectangular floral arch that echoed the clean lines of the villa’s architecture.

The bridal party added softness and contrast to the setting, with blush gowns and sand-toned tuxedos that worked beautifully against the stone and greenery of the villa.

Lilia and Felix chose a full Catholic ceremony, including the lazo tradition. Faith and family were at the center of this moment. Guests sat close, children included, and the ceremony unfolded with intention and emotion.

This matters to many of the couples we host. Our space supports full religious ceremonies, without time limits or space constraints, so traditions and culture are never shortened or rushed.

THE Reception

As daylight faded, we moved into the reception spaces around the Villa la Joya pool. Lilia and Felix personalized the setting in white and gold, filling the space with white roses, candles, chandeliers and soft, twinkling lights.

A sweetheart table beneath string lights became a natural focal point, drawing guests in and setting a relaxed tone for the evening. A custom dance floor was installed directly over the pool for the couple’s first dance and the celebration that followed.

We loved watching this moment. As Lilia and Felix twirled beneath the lights, dry fireworks framed the scene and guests gathered around the pool, glasses raised, fully present. It was dramatic and romantic, one of those moments everyone remembers being part of.

For the reception, Lilia stepped into a sleek, curve-hugging gown, and Felix changed into a white dinner jacket as the evening shifted fully into party mode.

The Party

The night stayed lively and joyful.

Live entertainers, a DJ, robotic performers, and a 360 video booth kept guests on their feet. Champagne flowed. Late-night ice cream made its way through the crowd. Kids, parents, and grandparents danced together, creating the kind of multi-generational atmosphere that makes weddings feel deeply personal.

Fireworks lit up the Playa del Carmen sea as the celebration carried on. Some guests kicked off their shoes, others kept dancing. Conversations flowed, laughter filled the space, and family and friends raised glasses of champagne and tequila to toast the newlyweds.

This is one of the things we love most about hosting weddings at Villa la Joya. When everything happens in one private setting, the night finds its own rhythm.

The Goodbye

To close the evening, everyone gathered at the Villa la Joya entrance for a classic car exit. Friends and family lined the path as fireworks lit the night sky, sending Lilia and Felix off with cheers, hugs, and heartfelt good wishes.

It was a joyful and complete ending to a full day shared together.

Our Thanks and Best Wishes

From all of us at Villa la Joya, thank you to Lilia & Felix for trusting us with such an important celebration. We wish you a lifetime filled with partnership, shared adventures, and continued joy.

Looking back at their day, we’re reminded of how much intention went into their choices. Lilia and Felix told us they fell in love with the private, off-resort feel here, especially that old-world, "Tuscany castle" atmosphere that feels so unique by the sea. They chose to work with our Villa Planners team because they wanted that deep, local expertise.

We are also grateful to the incredible vendors who brought this wedding together with care, creativity, and professionalism:

From our bride: “Advice i would give other brides, planning a destination wedding is hard, especially from another country, but is not impossible. Find a great team to help you, and remember why you’re doing it, and at the end of the day, it’s about you and your husband.”

Planning a Wedding at Villa la Joya

If you are planning a destination wedding in the Riviera Maya and are looking for a private villa that supports full Catholic ceremonies, flexible timelines, family-friendly celebrations, and late-night receptions, we would love to share more about hosting your wedding at Villa la Joya.

Get in touch to start the conversation. We would be happy to hear what you are planning.

From a surprise elopement reveal to custom stationery and a Beauty and the Beast-inspired walk down the aisle, this destination wedding at Villa la Joya was nothing short of magical. TikTok influencer Zahne and Arek turned their love story into a full-blown wedding experience with vintage vibes, tropical glam, and some viral moments along the way.

From Instagram DMs to Disneyland Proposal

Zahne and Arek’s love story began with a modern spark, an Instagram DM. After years of following each other through mutual friends, Arek made the first move, and the rest unfolded like a fairytale. Within weeks, they were inseparable. Eight months later, they were living together. And just under four years in, Arek proposed at Disneyland in front of Sleeping Beauty’s castle, their favorite place to escape into joy, wonder, and romance.

Why Choose a Destination Wedding in Mexico?

Zahne first dreamed of getting married in Mexico as a little girl, watching a resort wedding unfold. When she and Arek began dating, she quickly learned he loved the Riviera Maya just as much. Over several trips together, the destination became theirs. A place full of sunshine, sentiment, and yes, seriously good tacos.

Finding 'The One' Perfect Wedding Venue in Mexico: Villa la Joya

They discovered Villa la Joya online and instantly felt the magic. “We weren’t even engaged yet,” Zahne laughs, “but we booked a visit during a trip to Mexico.” One look at the private beachfront estate, and they knew. It was their first and only venue choice. “Even more breathtaking than the photos,” Zahne says. “Mike, Enrique, and the whole team made it feel like home.”

The Big Reveal: Plot Twist!

Mid-ceremony, the couple’s friend and officiant dropped a bombshell: Zahne and Arek had actually eloped in Las Vegas a year earlier! “Like most destination couples, we handled the legal part back home,” Zahne explains. “But no one knew!” That moment, spontaneous, joyful, and very on-brand, got picked up by People Magazine in a short celeb wedding feature.

Meaningful Wedding Style & Theme: A Personal Fairytale

From subtle Disney nods to their home’s signature color woven into the florals and stationery, Zahne and Arek made every detail personal. They included green accents throughout, added custom “Be Our Guest” signage, and created a scrapbook with stickers of their beloved pets.

The music told its own story: Arek walked down the aisle to Beautiful Crazy by Luke Combs. Zahne floated down to an instrumental of Beauty and the Beast, the movie they watched on their very first date. Their first dance? Better Together, a perfect anthem for a couple who truly are.

Advice From the Bride

Zahne’s best advice for destination brides: “Do what makes YOU happy.” She reminds couples that not every decision will please every guest, and that’s okay. “You’ll remember how you felt on that day, not what others thought.”
Her pro tip? Create a calm, joyful start to your wedding morning. “My day started off so chill, and it made everything more present and special. I was able to truly soak it all in.”

Congratulations, Zahne & Arek!

Zahne & Arek, thank you for letting us witness your real-life fairytale. From your dreamy Riviera Maya celebration to your surprise reveal and every beautiful, intentional detail, you reminded us that weddings are about joy, meaning, and the magic of two people choosing forever.

We wish you a lifetime of laughter, adventures, and Disney dates. May your love story always feel like Happily Ever After.

Thinking of Your Own Destination Wedding?

If you're dreaming of a wedding that feels personal, relaxed, and unforgettable, Villa la Joya might just be your perfect match. Our private beachfront villa in the Riviera Maya has hosted love stories from around the world, each as unique as the couple saying I do.

Be our guest and plan your magical day in Mexico. Start planning your wedding at Villa la Joya, schedule a video call with our team today.

Riviera Maya Wedding Vendor Team – The Real Fairy Godmothers

Making a destination wedding perfect is no easy task. We are always grateful to the incredible vendors who make magic in our little corner of the Mexican Caribbean. Gracias, big, big, gracias.

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A Destination Wedding at Villa la Joya in the Riviera Maya