Viewing entries tagged
summer wedding

A Dreamy Wedding at Villa La Joya: Courtney & Beattie's Love Story

A Dreamy Wedding at Villa La Joya: Courtney & Beattie's Love Story

From Office Romance to a Gondola Proposal in Venice

Courtney & Beattie’s and love story began at work, from co-workers to newlyweds and forever-after partners! After two years of friendship, they went on their first date and never looked back. Their romance took a fairy-tale turn when Beattie proposed on a gondola ride in Venice, Italy. With the canals of Venice as their backdrop, the moment felt like it was straight out of a movie - setting the stage for their future picture-perfect destination wedding in Mexico.

Why Choose Riviera Maya for a Destination Wedding?

When it came time to plan their wedding, Courtney & Beattie knew they wanted more than just a one-day celebration - they wanted a full experience. The Riviera Maya offered the perfect blend of natural beauty, tropical vibes, and vacation fun for their guests.


"Your wedding is the only time when everyone you love is gathered in one place to celebrate YOU - embrace that for as long as you can!" says Courtney. They embrace it by turning their wedding day into a wedding week, a major celebration in paradise.

Why Villa La Joya and Villa Planners Are the Perfect Match

Courtney and Beattie fell in love with Mexico wedding venue Villa La Joya from the moment they saw it online. Its elegant architecture, reminiscent of Italian villas, brought back memories of their Venetian engagement, making it feel like fate.

What sealed the deal was the ability to personalize every detail. Villa La Joya’s blank canvas appeal allowed the couple to design their dream wedding from the ground up. Partnering with Villa Planners, the venue’s expert in-house wedding planning team, made the experience even better.


"Not only do they know the villa inside and out and have outstanding relationships with the vendors, but they are also 100% committed to making your wedding day absolutely perfect," Emily shared.

A Riviera Maya Wedding Day Filled with Joy, Tears, and Surprises

While every moment of their big day was unforgettable, the couple’s favorite memory was sharing a secret that left their guests in awe - they had eloped exactly one year earlier! We LOVE a surprise reveal! 

The announcement sparked cheers, laughter, and happy tears, turning the celebration into a truly magical and emotional event.
"We wouldn’t have traded that moment for the world," Courtney says.

Timeless Elegance Meets Tropical Vibes

Courtney and Beattie chose a classic black-and-white wedding theme with a Riviera Maya tropical twist. Their décor stayed true to timeless elegance with crisp monochrome details, while their vibrant florals added pops of color, giving the celebration a modern and exotic feel.

The inspiration? Emily’s parents’ 1991 wedding - a black-and-white affair that stood the test of time.

No Regrets, Only Gratitude

When asked if they would change anything, Courtney was clear - “Not a single thing!”

From start to finish, our partners at Villa Planners made sure every detail was flawless. Their dedication to perfection ensured the couple’s vision came to life, leaving Courtney and Beattie with memories they’ll treasure forever.

Advice for Future Destination Wedding Brides

Courtney’s advice to brides planning a destination wedding in Mexico?

  • Hire a great wedding planner. Their experience will save you time, stress, and guesswork.

  • Communicate your vision. Be clear about your expectations, so your team can bring them to life.

  • Savor every moment. Slow down, breathe, and soak it all in.

  • "You’ve worked so hard to plan this day - ENJOY it with your new spouse!"

Ready to Plan Your Own Villa La Joya Wedding in Mexico?

If you’ve been dreaming of a destination wedding in the Riviera Maya, Villa La Joya offers the luxury, elegance, and personalized experience you deserve. With the expert guidance of Villa Planners, your dream wedding can become a reality - just like it did for Courtney and Beattie. We love hearing your plans and seeing your vision boards and we cannot wait to meet you.


Contact us today to start planning your own unforgettable celebration in paradise!

Mexico Wedding Vendors in the Riviera Maya: Masters of Their Craft

We are so grateful to all the incredible vendors who came together to make this event flow and glow. You consistently bring professionalism and creativity to the weddings we host at Villa la Joya and it is a delight to work with you all. And hey brides, did you know? There are never any silly vendor fees at Villa la Joya! Let’s rock your wedding dreams and your budget.

Planner. Villa Planners | Photo. Luxart Wedding Studio | Video. Frame Wedding Film | MUA. Zoe Elizabeth Makeup | Rentals. EW Cancun | Flowers. Cherry Blossom | Dress. Martina Liana | Shoes. Vince Camuto | Perfume. Maison Margiela | Catering. Gourmet Soberanis | Cake. Lali Pasteles | Churros. Los Pockets | Photo Booth. Print the Moment | Fireworks. Pyro Caribe | Saxophone. Ariel Rossini | Cigar Roller. Enrique | Dance Floor & Lighting. Hercon Entertainment | DJ. Plug In Audiovisual | Get Away Car. Abraham Rodriguez

Big Congratulations! Nathalie and Camil Get Married in Mexico

Big Congratulations! Nathalie and Camil Get Married in Mexico

Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen was delighted to host the destination wedding of Nathalie and Camil. This beautiful young couple traveled to Mexico to get married and brought their nearest and dearest along for a joyous celebration of their love. Romance, family and a perfect day to tie the knot in paradise.

Romantic and Elegant Garden Wedding in Playa del Carmen

Nathalie and Camil met in university and their love story quickly blossomed and just keeps on glowing and growing. The couple dreamed of a “romantic and elegant garden wedding theme” and our Playa del Carmen wedding vendors set a magical scene by the sea. The gardens of Villa la Joya were aglow with candlelight, sparklers, and the smiles of family and friends.

Why did you choose Mexico for your destination wedding?

Because it’s the perfect warm destination where everyone will have a good time.

What made you decide on Villa La Joya for your wedding venue in Mexico?

Villa La Joya stood out as the only venue that perfectly combined intimacy with elegance, all set against the stunning backdrop of a beachfront location.

Personal and Moving Family Wedding Ceremony at Villa la Joya

Bride Nathalie glowed sexy and sophisticated in her white strapless bridal gown with a gorgeous neckline and “nude illusion” inserts, a pretty veil and her hair loose and flowing in the ocean breeze. Groom Camil wore a classic white tuxedo jacket with black pants, chic and handsome beside his beautiful bride.

The wedding altar arch of colorful garden flowers created a frame for the ceremony with the waves of the sea as a natural backdrop. The officiant was a loved one of Nathalie and Camil which always makes the ceremony personal, moving and a true ode to the love of the bride and groom and the union of their families. Pretty flower girls and adorable ring bearers, this was a family-friendly wedding that welcomed guests of all ages to celebrate love.

What was your favorite moment of your wedding day?

We didn’t do a first look, so we hadn’t seen the venue before walking down the aisle. When we each walked in for the ceremony, seeing how beautiful everything was and seeing each other for the first time that day was incredibly special and emotional.

Warm and Welcoming Villa la Joya Destination Wedding Reception

The gardens and pool area of Villa la Joya were decorated with warm wood furniture, glorious displays of garden flowers and candles. The champagne corks were popping, conversation flowing and music had people dancing and twirling even during the cocktail hour.  

As the sun went down, the twinkling lights and candles lit up the happy faces of the newlyweds and the guests. The toasts brought tears and laughter and set the tone for a wonderful wedding reception celebration of both family and romantic love. Bride Nathalie changed into her gorgeous reception dress and was the brightest star on the dance floor beside her newlywed husband.

The best advice for destination wedding brides from bride Nathalie

“Pretend you’re a guest at your own wedding, don’t try to control anything that day. Just relax and enjoy the moment.”

We ask all our Villa la Joya newlyweds to share tips for couples planning a destination wedding. The advice we received from Nathalie was spot on, we loved her answer to pretend you are a guest at your own wedding!!

After all the wedding planning, the ins and outs of decor and cuisine and flowers and cake and travel, when it is all said and done and you are preparing to walk down the aisle, just relax and enjoy the moment. Feel the love. Raise a glass. Embrace the most important people in your life. Dance with abandon. Kiss and laugh and cry happy tears. Priceless moments.

Thank you to Nathalie and Camil, we wish you a lifetime of joy and happiness together

From all of us at Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen, we extend our gratitude to Nathalie and Camil for allowing us to be a part of your Mexico destination wedding day. We send our most heartfelt wishes for a long and joyous life together, may all your days be filled with laughter and love. 

Feeling inspired by this real destination wedding in Mexico? Let us know and let’s start planning!

We just know these real destination wedding photos will inspire you, it was such a gorgeous day!  Share your love story with us at Villa la Joya, reach out now and let’s make your Mexico wedding dreams come true. We work with world-class professional wedding vendors to bring your destination wedding vision to life. And oh, we never charge a vendor fee. Those pesos are best spent on magical moments!

Big gracias to all the destination wedding vendors who made Nathalie and Camil’s day simply marvelous. 

Wedding Planner: Tailor Made Dreams | Photo: Black Hat Studio | Video: Cinema & Graphics | Hair & Makeup: Gamaliel Hair & MUP | Flowers: Grisel Serrano | Rentals: Oleo Events | Caterer: Taller Gourmet | Wedding Cake: Pasteleria La Migaja | Live Music: Grace Brother Band | AV & DJ: Kinetic Events 

Next Level Wedding Fashion and Fun

Next Level Wedding Fashion and Fun

Kyla and Mike Get Married in Mexico! Next Level Wedding Fashion and Fun

Stop what you are doing and get ready to be inspired, you have got to see all the photos of the magnificent Villa la Joya wedding of Kyla and Mike. Each and every photo is like something out of a bridal magazine! Kyla is a photographer and you could see her keen eye for color, light and fashion in all the details. 

Bride and groom brought their family and friends together in Playa del Carmen to share their love for one another and for the magic of Mexico. We are so happy to have hosted this luxurious wedding at Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen and can’t wait to show you all the eleganza!

Why choose a wedding in Mexico? Tell us about your big day!

We asked Kyla and Mike a few questions about why they chose a wedding in Mexico at Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen and their own words definitely say it best: 


“Kyla and Mike were exhausted and ready to head back to their resort after working and being in the sun all day. But once they saw the gorgeous cenote and swam in the natural spring water, they were refreshed. They don't believe in holistic stuff, but something happened at that cenote that made them feel so rejuvenated and energized again. It made them feel happy and at peace. 

From there, Tulum became their favorite place. It's a mystery, It's lowkey and it's intimate - and they want to share those exact same feelings with their closest friends and family.”

What made you decide on Villa La Joya Playa del Carmen? We wanted a Tuscan vibe!

How did you come up with your gorgeous wedding theme and colors? We wanted to choose colors that highlighted the colors of the villa. We didn't want to do a design that didn't fit into the villa well or matched the narrative of the villa. We wanted to accent it.

What was your favorite/most emotional or funniest moment of your wedding day? The most emotional would have been seeing my husband for the first time. We were already married previously, and this was our celebration. We've been through hell and back throughout the planning process as we awaited for the reward of having this wedding at VLJ. That moment finally came and we felt as though we were finally able to breathe.

Anything you would have done differently? Chosen different shoes! Haha. That's about it! Everything was absolutely perfect. My shoes were killing me though. They were the Dior slingbacks haha.

Any advice you’d like to share with other brides? GET A PLANNER! Planning a wedding without a planner can be insanely strenuous. Also, don't cheap out on a great photographer. They hold the memory of your day in the photos they deliver to you. Do your due diligence to make sure you find the perfect person that you absolutely trust!

Fashion, elevated eleganza, and a theme of “Outshine the Bride”

We were simply blown away by the wedding of Kyla and Mike and one of the things that made it so unique was the instructions for guests to “Outshine the Bride”, not your typical dress code for a wedding but it was OH so perfect for the family and friends of Kyla and Mike. 

We want all of our guests to dress as if they're going to the MET gala. Put on your best pair of shoes and think... Red carpet, and glamorous! ​Some examples include sequins, fun patterns, floor-length gowns, interesting sleeves, bold accessories, etc.

These guidelines for glamor added layers of textures and colors to all the wedding photos and to the mood of the day. Inviting their guests to run wild with their fashion allowed everyone to let their own personal creative style and flair shine through and the photos are simply out of this world. 

Muchas felicidades to Kyla and Mike and big thanks for a Villa la Joya wedding extravaganza we will never forget!

We wish Kyla and Mike all the best for a lifetime of joy and happiness together. This is one of our fave Villa la Joya weddings ever and we are so grateful you invited us to host your day of love and light and everything gorgeous. Muchas gracias!

And as always, a huge wave of gratitude to the wedding vendors in Mexico who came together to bring this joyous celebration to life. It is always exciting to work with the best in making wedding dreams a reality and remember, there are never any vendor fees at Villa la Joya Mexico!

Planner. Mango Weddings

Designer. Hugo Martin Weddings

Photographer. Anna Roussos & Thanos Asfis

Video. Sea Love Wedding Films

Bride MUA. Angye Abarca

Bride Hairstyle & Color. Morgan B. Hair

Gown. Rime Arodaky at Lovely Bride DC. Second Dress. @stiohn

Tailoring. Tang’s Bridal

Suit. Suit Supply

Stationery IJ Design Studio @spoonknifefork

Florals. Pure Love Floral Design

Rentals. Oleo Events & Velvet Events Design & Hercon Entertainment

Signs. Weddings Creative Lab

Catering. Gourmet Soberanis

DJ & MC. Sonner.mx & @mcaldospirit

Secily and Daniel Get Married in Mexico!

Secily and Daniel Get Married in Mexico!

Secily and Daniel Get Married in Mexico: A Love Story at Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen

Secily and Daniel were simply meant to be and meant to get married in Mexico. With their first date in 2018 at a Mexican restaurant, four Mexican vacations, and a proposal in Playa Mujeres, it was clear that a wedding in Mexico was the best way to celebrate their amor! We were so happy to meet Secily and Daniel and share in the emotions of their Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen wedding. 

The day kicked off with a super fun “getting ready” time at our Villa la Joya condo, this bridal party was full of laughs and great energy and the champagne flowed. The first look of Secily and Daniel was magic, the couple shared private words on the Villa la Joya balcony with an intimate moment to calm their nerves. The photos will bring a little tear to your eye!

Private Villa wedding in Mexico: Secily and Daniel’s elegant ceremony at Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen

Secily and Daniel’s gorgeous wedding ceremony took place on the steps of Villa la Joya with an elegant setting. The lush pillars of flowers and the golden chairs welcomed family and friends to an intimate space of celebration. Secily’s entrance from the Villa la Joya arch created an unforgettable image of a stunning bride coming down the aisle. The bride and groom exchanged moving vows surrounded by love and light and the warmth of their nearest and dearest.

Why choose a Villa La Joya Playa del Carmen wedding?

We asked Secily and Daniel what went into making their decision to get married in Mexico at Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen:

When choosing our venue, it was important to be somewhere that felt both intimate and private. We knew if we got married at a resort there would be hundreds of other hotel guests watching from their balconies, and we wanted our wedding to feel exclusive to us and our guests. Additionally, there are so few venue options in Mexico that aren’t right on the beach and while we loved having a view of the ocean, we knew we didn’t want to get married in the sand. The Villa was the perfect mix of everything, we had privacy, luxury, flexibility and a beautiful view of the ocean and beach.

Cocktails, mariachis and sweet treats: Fireworks light up the Playa del Carmen sky at the wedding reception of Secily and Daniel

After the elegant ceremony on the front steps, the party moved to the seaside gardens of Villa la Joya for an unforgettable wedding reception. White roses everywhere, mariachi serenades and a yummy dessert table overflowing with treats, what a way to celebrate love! After dinner and toasts, everyone made their way to the dance floor and got their groove on and watched fireworks light up the night sky over the sea. 

Something that was both emotional and special for Secily was having the cigar roller. Secily’s father passed away a few years ago so he sadly couldn’t be there to witness our day. Her father, Steve, loved Mexico and loved smoking cigars so it was important for us to find ways to incorporate his spirit into our day. We chose to have a cigar roller come and roll cigars for everyone with custom cigar labels with his face on it. The cigar table was the perfect tribute to him and was a special way for his presence to be felt during the wedding.

Muchas gracias to Secily and Daniel! Thank you for sharing your love in a Villa La Joya Playa del Carmen Wedding

We had such a great time with Secily and Daniel, it was a pleasure to watch their dreams become reality as they created their perfect wedding day. The planning of this day was full of creative fun and we were so grateful for the chance to host the newlyweds and their loved ones at their Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen wedding. 

From the moment we contacted the Villa, they were friendly, attentive, and so accommodating. Many other venues we spoke to were difficult to get a hold of and had a lot of strict rules around planning. We loved that Villa gave us complete creative freedom to decorate and celebrate however we wanted. It allowed us to truly create the wedding of our dreams without limits.  During the wedding, all our guests kept asking how we found the Villa and couldn’t believe how incredible it was. Everyone was blown away!

Feeling the destination wedding inspiration? Contact us today to create your own magical private venue wedding in the Riviera Maya!

Let’s get started, we can’t wait to hear your ideas! Did you know that Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen is open to ALL your dreams and we welcome Playa del Carmen wedding vendors with no vendor fees! 

We send HUGE thank to all our friends at these Playa del Carmen wedding vendors, the magic is real when we work with you all.

Wedding Planner: Paradise Weddings & Events

Photographer: Amor Amor Weddings

Hair & Makeup: Sara Tamargo

Florist: Cherry Blossom

Furniture: EW Cancun

Ceremony Music: Arte & Musica

Churro Cart: Los Pockets

Caterer: Gourmet Soberanis

Dessert Table: Lluvia de Azucar

DJ: Uno Audiovisual

Cigar Roller: D'silva's cigars

Fireworks: Fireworks Cancun