NYE Mexico Destination Wedding :: K & T

NYE Mexico Destination Wedding :: K & T

NYE Mexico Destination Wedding of Kyree and Terrell at Villa la Joya

The New Years’ Eve Mexico destination wedding of Kyree and Terrell was so much fun, Villa la Joya was rocking with love. When the groom shows up in an animal print jacket, you know it’s going to be a good time! Kyree was absolutely stunning in her lacy white gown and hair in loose flowing locks, perfect in the ocean breeze. There were tears of joy and a whole lot of laughs, this wedding party lit up the dance floor! 

We asked Kyree a few questions about her experience in planning a Mexico destination wedding at Villa la Joya, here is what she kindly shared with us.

How did you meet?

Terrell and I actually met back in 2006. I was good friends with his older brother, who casually introduced us after school one day. We became (and stayed) friends until 2017, when we FINALLY decided to try dating.

Why did you choose a Mexico destination wedding in Playa del Carmen?

We wanted a destination that was affordable and accessible for our family on the East Coast.

Why choose a Villa La Joya Playa del Carmen wedding?

I knew right away that I did not want to get married at a resort. Villa La Joya offered much more privacy and the opportunity to customize the event exactly to our liking. All of the photos and videos that we saw were unbelievably beautiful and when we reached out for a quote, the team was warm and helpful.

What was your favorite/most emotional moment?

I was very hesitant about doing a “First Look”, but it turned out to be one of my favorite moments of the day. We were both emotional but happy that we got to spend some quiet time alone and get some of our jitters out.

Did you plan any pre-wedding events in the Riviera Maya?

We hosted a welcome dinner at Mar Bella in Puerto Morelos the night before the wedding. 

Is there anything you would have done differently?

I would have loved to come visit the property before our wedding, but was unable to do so because of COVID. I highly recommend brides make the trip and see it in person before their wedding day.

Any advice for other brides planning a Mexico destination wedding?

After our first look but before the ceremony, we took the majority of our portraits — including family photos. This allowed us to actually enjoy our cocktail hour with our guests, and we were even able to cut it down to half an hour, leaving more time to party! I highly recommend discussing this with your photographer if party time is a priority for you. Otherwise, I would say stay hydrated, make sure you eat, and give yourself a moment to take it all in. It's your day, so make sure you enjoy it!

Congratulations and all the best for a bright future, gracias to Kyree and Terrell!

We had a great time hosting your Mexico destination wedding at Villa la Joya, we thank you so much for allowing us to be a part of your big day. 

Are you ready to start planning your Playa del Carmen wedding? Contact us today, let us help you create the Mexico destination wedding of your dreams at Villa la Joya!

Huge thanks to all of the amazing vendors that made this day possible:

• Planners: Canteiro Weddings

• Photographers: YNOT iMages

• Bride's Dress: Berta

• Tuxes: The Black Tux

• Hair: Dee Styles and Jasmine Dudley

• Makeup: Crispin Beauty MX

• Catering: Easy Gourmet

• Lighting, Dancefloor and DJ: Hercon Entertainment

• Photobooths: La Cabina Mexico

• Cake: Lluvia de Azucar



Wedding Flower Trends We Want to See More of in 2022

Wedding Flower Trends We Want to See More of in 2022

Wedding Flower Trends We Want to See More of in 2022 at Villa La Joya

Destination wedding trends are changing as the world adapts to realities of life, travel and events with the presence of covid. Smaller, more intimate gatherings that are focused on attention to detail, light, love and energy are on trend and we are excited to see what 2022 brings to the world of destination weddings in the Riviera Maya. 

The floral industry has had to make some shifts in this covid world, growers are having to adjust to lower demand by planting less, leading to some shortages and rising prices on high demand florals. Working with an expert local florist in the Riviera Maya and the wedding experts at Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen ensures you get the best blooms at the best price. And oh have we got some ideas to make floral magic! 

Dramatic Designs: Colors, Textures and Flair with Florals

These are not your usual wedding flowers! Couples in 2022 are choosing to create unique combinations of colors and textures that go beyond pink roses and ribbons. Lush greenery, succulents, combining small blooms with lots of green or vice versa, playing with the designs of bouquets and wedding flowers is FUN when you think outside the typical box. Adding a tropical touch is one of our specialties, let us show you the best ideas in Playa del Carmen flowers! (First design by Cherry Blossom, Second Photo by Vanessa Jaimes)

Bright and Bold. Ditch the Traditional Softer Palettes and Add Some Pop

Celebrate life and love and the beauty of nature with bold color palettes for your Playa del Carmen wedding flowers. Pastels are always going to be around, but we think a theme of bright and bold colors works GREAT against the turquoise sea and the lush green gardens of Villa la Joya. (Inspiration below by Cherry Blossom)

Tons of Texture and Shapes: Wedding Floral Design is ART

Designing your wedding flowers is more than just choosing colors that fit your theme. It is building bold pieces that blend soft and hard, flowing and geometric, big and small, and all the combinations you can think of to create dimension and depth. Lots of greenery at Villa la Joya, create a jungle paradise that is lush and lovely and will wow your guests. (Inspiration below by Cherry Blossom)

Unique and Modern Ceremony Arches: Destination Wedding Floral WOWS

2022 is bringing us, modern brides, with modern ideas and we are LOVING the trends in floral ceremony arches. Creative shapes, geometric and bold designs, or flowing cascades of bright blooms and greens for the perfect backdrop for your “I Do’s”. ( All inspiration below by Cherry Blossom)

Organic Arrangements: Go With the Flow of Nature in the Gardens of Villa la Joya

Green green, green and let the flowers flow! Go for a more natural look and feel, less structure, or perfect shapes. Create a cozy jungle vibe that welcomes your guests to the tropics. Organic style and local flowers and plants will be a huge trend in 2022 wedding flowers. Thanks, Cherry Blossom for the wonderful inspiration.

Unique Centerpieces Beyond a Vase and a Flower

Your wedding centerpieces are a chance to be creative and delight your guests with unique ideas. Make them a hot topic of conversation with your own personal touches and elements like candles, macrame, or ceramics that take your centerpiece to a whole new level. (First soft design by Pure Love Floral, Second Boho Style by Cherry Blossom)

We want to hear your ideas for wedding florals in 2022! Contact us today to start planning your own Playa del Carmen wedding at Villa la Joya and let’s talk flowers!

Mark and Stephanie’s Gorgeous Villa la Joya Wedding in Playa del Carmen

Mark and Stephanie’s Gorgeous Villa la Joya Wedding in Playa del Carmen

Destination Wedding Mexico: Mark and Stephanie’s Gorgeous Villa la Joya Wedding in Playa del Carmen

The Villa la Joya wedding of Mark and Stephanie was simply dreamy! This adorable couple joined us to tie the knot surrounded by the love of family and friends. Stephanie was kind enough to send us her thoughts about her destination wedding in Mexico at Villa la Joya, we know you will be inspired.

Words from the Bride: Destination Wedding Mexico Villa la Joya Amor

Mark and Stephanie met in the late summer of 2014 in Santa Monica, California. Stephanie had just moved to Santa Monica for a college internship and Mark had been living there for nearly six years. Mark had just returned home from a business trip when a couple of friends convinced him to beat the jet lag and join them for Sunday Funday. Stephanie and her friend were at the restaurant when Mark's pal asked them to pull up a chair to watch the football game. Mark tried to play a shy guy, but eventually made his move on Stephanie and they've been together ever since. 

Mark and Stephanie both share a passion for traveling. One of the first trips the couple ever took together was to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. It was a beautiful trip and so many happy memories were made. When it came to planning the wedding, Stephanie knew she wanted it to be a destination. Both of their families are so spread out so it was important that the location could be accessible and enjoyed by all. Stephanie wanted as close to a beach wedding as you could get without being on the beach. She also loved the idea of overlooking the property on a high balcony and having a grand staircase for photos. After a couple of searches on Instagram Stephanie found Villa La Joya and instantly fell in love. Now all she had to do was convince Mark. They took a very quick trip down to Playa del Carmen (pre-covid) and it took about 3 seconds for Mark to say okay this is the place!

Stephanie: My favorite moment had to be our first dance, it was a moment where we could relax and just be together and enjoy the night. We also had floor sparklers go off during the dance which was a fun surprise for all of our guests. 

Mark: My favorite moment would be our first look. It was upstairs on the grand balcony and it was so special to see Stephanie in her dress and all ready for our big day! It was also a relief knowing that all of our planning had come together and we could just enjoy our time with one another.

We had all of our guests stay at Paradisus in Playa del Carmen and this was so great for us because the resort offers so many activities for large groups. We had a welcome drinks gathering at the resort two nights before the wedding. This was a casual way for everyone to meet and enjoy the beautiful scenery. We also had a rehearsal dinner at the Thompson Hotel on the rooftop. This was a very intimate and special dinner to thank those that are the closest to us before the big day!

We really would not change a thing! We had an obstacle to face with Covid, but besides that everything ran very smoothly and we appreciated all of the hard work from our vendors to make everything happen! 

My advice to other brides/couples would be to trust that everything will come together. All of the vendors work together throughout the years on several weddings and all complement each other so well. If your wedding is in the late spring/summer pack a small fan because it is hot;)

Muchas gracias, big thanks from Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen!

From all of us at Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen, a huge thank you to Stephanie and Mark for choosing us to host your destination wedding in Mexico! It was a pleasure to welcome you to our home and we wish you all the best for an incredible life together. 

Super big thanks to our Playa del Carmen wedding vendors of course and as always, no vendor fees at Villa la Joya! Contact us TODAY to start planning your dream destination wedding in Mexico at Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen! Can’t wait to hear your ideas and your stories of love!

Leila Wedding Planner - Wedding Coordinator

Sweet Caribbean - Photo & Video

Beso Brides - Hair and Makeup

Cherry Blossom - Florist

Easy Gourmet - Catering

Plug In Audiovisual - Music & Dance Floor

La Migaja - Cake

Papeliux - Dessert Table

Pastor Christian - Officiant

Royal Table - Rentals


Things to Consider when Choosing a Destination Wedding Venue

Things to Consider when Choosing a Destination Wedding Venue

Things to Consider when Choosing a Destination Wedding Venue

You’ve found the love of your life and have decided to tie the knot with a destination wedding in Mexico, now how do you choose the perfect wedding venue for your big day? Here are the top things to consider when choosing the ideal destination wedding venue to fulfill all your needs and make your dream day a reality. 

Choosing a wedding venue: Guestlist and capacity

Intimate party of two or a grand fiesta for 200? The size of your guest list is essential for all the “next steps” of wedding planning. Villa la Joya has welcomed cozy elopements and big celebrations for up to 200 guests in our lush gardens on the beach of Playa Paraiso, Riviera Maya, Mexico.

A big resort wedding may make you feel lost in the shuffle, a private villa wedding ensures that no matter the size of your party, YOU are the center of attention. Our team of Villa Planners wedding coordinators are experts in celebrations of all sizes and are 100% devoted to one wedding per day at Villa la Joya. An intimate tiny wedding for only your nearest and dearest or a big bang fiesta of epic proportions, choosing a wedding venue like Villa la Joya is the best way to manage a guest list of any size.

Define Your Destination Wedding Budget and Get the Most Out of Every Peso

Once you have defined your guest list, you need to set a wedding budget. Villa la Joya offers rental options from $5,000 to $8,000 depending on the number of guests and your time requirements. Villa la Joya knows that every dollar is precious and therefore we have ZERO VENDOR FEES and no minimum resort nights, let’s use that budget for magical things!

Church Wedding Or Civil Ceremony?

Villa la Joya welcomes weddings of all denominations and we are happy to connect you with an officiant that best reflects you. We have hosted religious and civil ceremonies in our gardens but if you are seeking a church wedding in Playa del Carmen there are options conveniently located nearby. The church at El Pueblito Mayakoba offers a traditional Mexican-style chapel with warm wood and stone decor and the iconic white church on 5th Avenue in Playa del Carmen is a beautiful choice for a Catholic ceremony.

Prioritizing Views and Backdrops: Choosing a Private Wedding Venue

A Villa la Joya wedding offers you incredible ocean views, lush tropical gardens, a water fountain, stunning marble stairs, arches, and columns, oh my! All of this in a 100% private setting, no lurkers in the background of your photos, a celebration just for YOU and your special guests. The wedding coordinators of Villa Planners will help create a magical scene integrating your tastes and style with the architecture and natural elements of Villa la Joya. Forget the cement fortresses of big resorts and choose a private wedding venue to set the perfect scene for love.

Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen is prepared for any weather situation with our unique Sky Tents, the best way to keep you and your guests happy and dry in case of rain. Even a rainy wedding day is GORGEOUS with the right venue and expert wedding planners. 

Wedding factory or VIP attention and service?

Unlike resorts that may churn out multiple weddings per day, we only cater to ONE. Our services are dedicated 100% to YOUR wedding and all the love is on YOU. You should be the center of attention, not just one of many brides and grooms wandering the grounds of a big hotel. Choose a wedding venue that focuses on personalized attention and service and rest assured that every detail will be perfect.

Choosing a Wedding Venue with Nearby Guest Accommodations

Villa la Joya is located halfway between Playa del Carmen and Puerto Morelos meaning there are OODLES of accommodation options for your guests. All-inclusive resorts for all budgets, boutique hotels and endless Airbnb choices. We offer a nearby condo (just a few feet away from Villa la Joya) available for use by the wedding couple and we are happy to make recommendations that best fit the needs of all your guests.

Choosing a Wedding Venue for the Whole Family, Kids and Furbabies Too!

Is Villa la Joya a family-friendly wedding venue? Yes, absolutely and pet-friendly too! Bring ALL your loved ones, kids at weddings are so much fun and they are a huge part of your family! We invite you to bring Fido and Fifi too, furry buddies make great ring bearers. Well, they look cute anyway.

Choosing a Wedding Venue: Can You Bring Your Own Decor?

Yes, our villa is your villa, let’s make your wedding day vision a reality. Bring your own style and tastes from home or let us introduce you to the best wedding vendors in Playa del Carmen (with no vendor fees of course!) Don’t settle for a resort’s “catalog” of three themes and yet another cookie cutter wedding, we welcome whatever fantasy you wish to bring to Villa la Joya! Villa Planners and Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen will bring all your visions to life. 

Choose your wedding venue now, reserve your special day at Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen

We want to hear your ideas and get started planning the perfect destination wedding for you. Have any further questions? Contact us and we will be delighted to work with you in making your wedding dreams come true.

Photo Credits: Moni Adri Photography, Sweet Caribbean Photography, Amor Amor Weddings, Gareth Davies Photography, FineArt Wedding Studio, White Crown Photography, Bohemia Photography, LuxArt Photography, Jahlcob Photography,

Destination Wedding Mexico :: Angelique & Michael

Destination Wedding Mexico :: Angelique & Michael

Destination Wedding Mexico | A'ngelique & Michael Elegance and Amor at Villa la Joya

Destination wedding Mexico! Travel lovers A’ngelique and Michael shared their first vacation together in Playa del Carmen and returned to the Mexican Caribbean in 2021 to tie the knot and declare their love before their closest family and friends. We were delighted to welcome them to Villa la Joya and we simply LOVED the elegance and warmth of their gorgeous wedding day. 

Each and every detail of this Villa la Joya wedding was STUNNING, the wedding vendors of Playa del Carmen came together through the coordination of Lucy Gallagher and Arlenis Ruiz to create a magical day. Breathtaking flowers from Cherry Blossom, delicious catering by Gourmet Soberanis, fireworks, great music and decor, this was a wedding we will always remember.

The Love Story and Happily Ever After of A’ngelique and Michael

Bride and groom A’ngelique and Michael have an electricity between them, every touch and glance full of love, it was a real pleasure to get to know this couple. We asked them to share their love story with us and A’ngelique’s words say it better than we ever could. 

  • What is the story of how you two met?

    Our worlds collided on May 14, 2016 when we met in NYC at an East African networking event at a restaurant bar in Harlem, New York. Michael's opening words to me were "Do you know who you look like? Gina from 'Martin'" (a character from a popular 90s sitcom). Although this was the thousandth time I'd received this "compliment," there was something about Michael's energy, smile, and presence that just captured my attention and I stayed around to entertain the moment. That moment turned into 4 years of an adventurous, inspiring, educational, travel-filled, and long-lasting relationship before Michael proposed to her in Aruba on August 1, 2020. 

  • Why did you choose Mexico for your destination wedding?

We love to travel. In fact, within the first year of dating Michael won an incredible travel voucher to travel anywhere in the world from his job. When asked where he would plan on going he replied with "anywhere my girlfriend wants to go." Our friends often joke around that it was the voucher and traveling that really helped us build the first year of their relationship and beyond. The first trip we booked together was to Playa Del Carmen, Mexico in March 2017, which is why this location is symbolic for us.

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

I saw a picture of a friend of a friend's wedding at Villa La Joya on Instagram on Jan 1, 2014 and instantly fell in love with the venue. A screenshot of a dress hanging up in Villa La Joya has been saved in my phone ever since then so when it came time for us to find a venue, there was no doubt that Villa La Joya was the top choice. Although we eventually went back and forth on venue locations (and actually changed our venue three times), we ultimately could not resist the unique charm of Villa La Joya and everything it had to offer us as a couple and our guests—a beach, garden, and beautiful villa. There is literally no other place in the area like this venue, especially for brides looking for a beautiful beach backdrop—without the sand—and sophisticated feel & decor. I also appreciated the opportunity to get ready in the Villa La Joya condo.

  • What was your favorite/most emotional or funniest moment of your wedding day? 

We really wanted their day to feel like an elegant, unique event with endless entertainment. From guests being greeted with a champagne wall prior to the ceremony to a floral swing set at cocktail hour to a 360-degree photo booth and live DJ during the reception to cold fireworks during our first dance. The entire day was a dream. The moment that stuck out the most was being able to bring our family and friends together to experience different cultures and wedding traditions. Since Michael has an East African background, we did a second entrance that was traditional to the Eritrean culture where the male guests would surround the bride and groom and wave swords while the female guests formed two lines for the couple to walk down as they wave palm trees and shout "Elelele " as a sound of celebration. Watching family and friends of different ethnic backgrounds participate in this century old tradition was extremely heartwarming and demonstrated a love and acceptance of both of our family and friends' backgrounds.

  • Did you have any pre or post-wedding events for your group? If so, which ones?

Yes! We held an amazing pre-welcome event on the Saturday before our wedding with H2Oh Sun Cruises where we hosted a sunset cruise yacht party with our friends and siblings. On the Sunday night before our wedding, we held an intimate welcome cocktail event at our host hotel — Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya — where all of our family and friends were able to meet for the first time over hor’d'oeuvres, music, and East African cultural dancing.

  • Anything you would have done differently?

Our wedding day and the weekend leading up to our wedding was a dream! The only thing Michael and I wish we would have done differently was to not second guess our original decision of choosing Villa La Joya as our wedding venue! This would have saved us a lot of money and stress.

  • Any advice you’d like to share with other brides?

I have three pieces of advice for any bride planning a wedding, especially a destination wedding. My first piece of advice is that your wedding day will be intense — with a timeline to follow, guests to greet, family and friends to please, and ensuring the day runs smoothly. In the midst of the chaos, take at least five minutes to step to the side with your partner and soak it all in. Right before Michael and my first entrance as a couple, we took 10 minutes to ourselves on the front stairs of Villa La Joya to reflect on officially being married and reflect on the culmination of our efforts, planning, and coordination on our wedding day.

This leads me to my second piece of advice: Go with the flow. It does not matter how many months of planning that goes into a wedding, not everything will go according to plan. Don't let the minor details distract you from enjoying your day—trust me, your guests won't even notice.

My last piece of advice is to budget for a wedding planner and/or day-of coordinator! It is imperative to take the stress of coordinating a wedding off of yourself and your guests in order for you to enjoy your day. There is no way our wedding would have been as successful without the help of our amazing wedding team - Lucy & Arlenis! They provided us with a wedding planning portal to update your wedding requests, decor & layouts, guests lists, amongst other items leading up to the wedding which kept us extremely organized.

Muchas gracias and big congratulations from Villa la Joya Weddings

We would like to say a very special “thank you” and “felicidades!” to A’ngelique and Michael for choosing to celebrate their destination wedding in Mexico at Villa la Joya. We wish you both all the best for the rest of your beautiful lives together. Be sure to check out all their gorgeous wedding photos for inspiration!

Destination Wedding Mexico Wedding Vendors Playa del Carmen

Planning: Lucy Gallagher and Arlenis Ruiz Weddings

Photography: Luxart Wedding Studio

Videography: One Cameraman

Hair/Makeup: Styling Trio

Rentals: EW Cancun

Florals: Cherry Blossom

Catering: Tomas Soberanis from Gourmet Soberanis

Wedding Cake: Lali Pasteles

Special Effect Fireworks: Pyrotech Special Events Mexico

DJ: Plug In Audiovisual

Solo Musician: India Tyree

Wedding Dress: Martina Liana

Ready to book your own destination wedding in Mexico? Contact us today at Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen weddings!