Pro Tips for Planning a Stress-Free Destination Wedding in Mexico

Pro Tips for Planning a Stress-Free Destination Wedding in Mexico

Pro Tips for Planning a Stress-Free Destination Wedding in Mexico

Congrats, you’ve decided on a destination wedding in Mexico for your nuptials, GREAT move. Now what? Apart from building your Pinterest boards with images of white veils blowing in the breeze, turquoise ocean, and swaying palm trees, you’re going to need a great team to get this celebration of love done right without a lot of stress. (Photo credits below: Monica Lopez Photography, Moni & Adri Photography, Gareth Davies Photography)

The pros at Villa Planners Playa del Carmen are here for you with years of expertise and a passion for creating magical destination weddings in Mexico just the way you envision them. The team has put together some basic tips to get you started making your wedding dreams come true without losing your sanity!

Hire a Local Playa del Carmen Wedding Planner and Come On Down!

Do a scouting trip, you’ll want to FEEL the place where you will wed and find the perfect fit for your ceremony and reception. Villa la Joya offers a Playa del Carmen condo close to our venue and we’ll be happy to help you set up a planning trip. It’s a must, going into your wedding blind is the definition of stress! 

Villa La Joya Condo. Photo by Caro Navarro Photography

Hire a local Playa del Carmen wedding planner! This is key, working with a local wedding coordinator who has relationships with all the vendors is a huge advantage. Meet your vendors and do a menu tasting. You’ll want to sit down with caterers to sample their wares.

Villa Planners Playa del Carmen can help you connect with those that match your style and budget. Tasting parties are such fun, especially with wine and tequila!

Villa Planners Team. Photo by Jorge Scherer

Create a Destination Wedding Budget with a Pro

Minimize expenses. You want to get the biggest bang for your buck and you CAN have the luxury wedding of your dreams at affordable prices. Working with Villa Planners Playa del Carmen who have the inside scoop on pricing and things like seasonal flowers and foods is a great way to save in unexpected ways. At Villa la Joya, we have NO vendor fees and this will allow you to spend on more important things. Like dessert. 

Consider unexpected expenses, there are often things like weather that we can’t control. Having a little extra in your budget for a Clear Sky Tent or umbrellas for all is a good idea,  just in case.

Moni & Adri Photography

Wedding websites and pre-wedding events: Inform, entertain and wow your guests

Create a wedding website to give guests all the important info about the journey and offer a variety of accommodation options for different budgets. A Villa la Joya wedding means your guests can stay at the Playa del Carmen hotel, condo or villa of their choice. Your wedding website can include guest books, live streaming of the special day, wedding registries and instructions for pre-wedding events and galleries of photos. 

Speaking of which, plan additional events for you and your guests, the wedding is only part of the fun. Have a rehearsal dinner on a yacht, sup yoga class, a zipline bachelor party or a fun excursion for all to one of the nearby Mayan ruins or eco-parks. Take full advantage of all the activities the destination has to offer.

George Kossieris Photo

Feeling inspired? Come on down, let’s get started planning your destination wedding in Mexico with Villa Planners Playa del Carmen!

Elegant Destination Wedding in Mexico at Villa la Joya

Elegant Destination Wedding in Mexico at Villa la Joya

Nayeli and Fernando’s Elegant Destination Wedding in Mexico at Villa la Joya

In a gorgeous destination wedding in Mexico Nayeli and Fernando tied the knot surrounded by family and friends and sunshine and love. Bride Nayeli was pretty as a princess with a stunning gown and veil that showed off her natural beauty. Groom Fernando was the tall, dark and handsome prince of her dreams in his fabulous blue suit. The two together just GLOWED, wait until you see all the photos of this destination wedding in Mexico that will make you oooh and aah! 

We asked Nayeli to share their love story with us and for advice for future couples planning a destination wedding at Villa la Joya. Here’s what she had to say.

Love story fit for a prince and princess and a meaningful destination wedding in Mexico

Brief story on how we met—We initially met through a mutual friend in 2014 while we were in college but did not stay in touch. We reconnected through a different mutual friend in 2016 while we were both living in the Bay Area. We went on two dates in less than 24 hours and quickly realized that what we shared was much more than friendship and quickly fell in love. We truly have been un-separable ever since. Fernando surprised me and proposed during my birthday weekend in 2020 with a Cinderella themed proposal. He took me on a horse carriage ride that made me feel utterly special. As such, we needed to find the perfect venue to go along with the perfect proposal.

Why Choose a Destination Wedding in Mexico?

Mexico has a very important place in my heart, since my parents and I were born there. Plus, Fernando and I love Mexico! We both wanted a destination where both of our families from Mexico and from the United States could have the possibility of coming together and joining us on our wedding day.

Why plan a wedding at Villa La Joya Playa del Carmen?

We considered different locations in Mexico, but our love for the beautiful beaches in Playa Del Carmen was really hard to beat. We both knew we wanted a beachfront ceremony with an elegant touch. Upon seeing pictures of weddings at Villa La Joya and visiting in person, we completely fell in love with it and we knew it was meant for us. It is such a gorgeous venue with the perfect combination of a beachfront view while having beautiful scenery, not to mention the private exclusivity that also made this venue our first choice. We wanted an intimate and romantic setting to share and express our love and happiness with all our guests. Our family and guests were impressed by the location and loved it as well. Villa La Joya is an absolutely unique and stunning wedding venue in Playa del Carmen!

Most emotional moment of your destination wedding?

I would definitely say my entrance and the first time I saw my husband-to-be waiting for me at the altar with tears in his eyes. Another very special yet emotional moment for us was our first touch. Holding each other’s hands while not seeing each other filled us with so much emotion and excitement before our ceremony.

Did you plan any pre or post-wedding events in Playa del Carmen?

We planned a Welcome Party the day before the wedding at Paradisus (La Perla) in Playa Del Carmen, where our wedding group stayed. Fernando and I also made group dinner reservations two days before our wedding. We also had our rehearsal dinner at Paradisus the night before our big day.

Anything you would have done differently?

Not a thing, everything was perfect. We had an amazing team that made our dream wedding a reality.

Advice to share with brides planning destination weddings in Mexico?

Enjoy every single moment of it because it really goes by fast. Do not worry about the little things and focus on you and your partner’s special day!

Muchas gracias, big thanks Nayeli and Fernando, we are so delighted to have hosted your elegant wedding at Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen!

We wish you both the best for a wonderful life together, may your happily ever after be filled with tremendous joy.

We would also like to thank the many incredible Playa del Carmen wedding vendors who made this day so spectacular. We never charge outside vendor fees, create the wedding you’ve always dreamed of, contact us today!

Wedding Planner: Mango Weddings

Hair and Make-Up: Vo Evolution

Florist: Floreria Jardin

Decorations: Gamma & EW Decor

Videography: Frame Films

Photography: Bohemian Photo

Cake: Lali Pasteles

Catering: Soberanis Gourmet

Live Music: Scenic Music Shows

Mariachi: Musik Entertainment

Musicians: Marvioc

DJ: Sonner Events DJ Franco

Minister: Teodomiro Gutierrez

Transportation: Transsense

Cold Fire Works: Pyrotech

Bride’s Dress: Martina Liana, Style 1305

Bridal Boutique: Bride to Be Couture

Groom’s Suit: Emporio Armani

Groomsmen’s Suits: Indochino 

Bridesmaid Dresses: Dessy Collection, Style 3013 

Bridesmaid Store: Bella Bridesmaids Sacramento

Candice and Daniel Villa La Joya Playa del Carmen Wedding Magic

Candice and Daniel Villa La Joya Playa del Carmen Wedding Magic

Villa La Joya Playa del Carmen Wedding Magic

The Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen wedding of Candice and Daniel was a day full of the warmth and happiness of family and friends celebrating love! We asked bride Candice to share her thoughts to inspire future couples in love, we know you will adore this magical story of a perfect Playa del Carmen wedding.

How did you meet the love of your life?

We actually don't agree on how we first met! Candice (the bride) remembers meeting Daniel (the groom) during her high school freshman year chemistry class. But Daniel insists that they actually met the summer before when they both took part in a lifeguarding summer camp! I guess we'll never know...

Why choose a destination wedding in Mexico?

It goes without saying that Mexico (especially the Riviera Maya) is a dream destination - where the landscape is beautiful, the costs are affordable, and the people are incredibly friendly and welcoming. But for us this was more than just about aesthetics and money, we ultimately chose Mexico because it's where Daniel is from! He was born in Mexico City, so it felt special to mark this amazing occasion in a place that already means so much.

Why choose a Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen wedding?

We found Villa La Joya through Instagram and it's actually how we met our amazing wedding planners and the rest of our vendor team! When we first stepped foot through the gates of Villa La Joya, it was like walking into the best of every venue we'd previously visited. The location had the authentic Mexican spirit we were looking for, but it also had the dreamy beachy view without compromising the castle-like aesthetic of a traditional villa. The pool gave the venue another dimension, especially once we knew we could cover part of it with a larger dance floor! We absolutely fell in love with the venue at first sight. It looked better than any of the photos we had drooled over on Instagram and the inspiration for our wedding flooded in immediately - the excitement to get married was made even more electric as soon as we settled on Villa La Joya!

What was your favorite/most emotional or funniest moment of your Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen wedding day?

After endless hours of planning, several cross-country visits, and one or two pandemic-related panic attacks, it felt like a miracle that the day even happened. We were so lucky to have the absolutely amazing wedding planning and vendor team that we had - none of this would have been possible without every single one of them. They made the experience effortless and fun. We have to say that our favorite part of the wedding is when 1 AM came around and almost EVERY SINGLE GUEST was still on the dance floor. When all of the groomsmen decided to do a (surprise!) choreographed dance that really topped off the night. Our dream team really came through to make this the absolute best night of our lives. The ambiance, the decor, the food, the music, all of it was spectacular - how can we pick just a single moment or thing? The first dances and speeches were incredibly emotional, the ceremony was gorgeous, and the first look brought laughter and tears. We genuinely feel so fortunate to have had this night.

Did you do any pre or post-wedding events for your group?

Yes! We did a couple of pre-wedding events in the Riviera Maya!

The wedding was on a Friday, so the Wednesday before we went to Xoximilco with whoever was able to make it. It was a great experience and a wonderful way to have our friends and family meet one another before the big day. This was absolutely a once-in-a-lifetime experience and a fabulous way to get a little taste of Mexico all while on a party boat! 10/10 recommend!

We also chose to have a rehearsal dinner with our bridal party on the night before the wedding. We catered the dinner by Nero Tacos and Triciclo, and this was a smash hit! It was a perfect introduction to Mexican tacos and desserts/street snacks. Since most of our bridal party was staying at the Gilda Villas next door to Villa La Joya, that's where the rehearsal took place. This made it easy for everyone to arrive at the location and also allowed us to have a pool party as a rehearsal dinner! It was wonderful!

Anything you would have done differently? Any tips for planning a Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen wedding?

I think the only thing that I would have done differently is not to spend so much time stressing out over the planning in the lead-up to the wedding. Trust that your incredible planner team and vendors have it all under control (because they do!). On the day of, I wouldn't have changed a thing. It was the most surreal day and I visit it in my dreams often 

My best advice is to make sure you get a great wedding planning and vendor team on your side! That will make the biggest difference. Focus on the joy and warmth that surrounds you on the big day - that's really what matters. Don't stress on the day of your wedding, just know you planned everything with your team and they will figure it all out while you enjoy all the hard work that led up to the wedding day. I even turned my phone off and gave it to one of my maids of honor so that I wasn't receiving messages that would distract me from the event. Trust me, they can wait until the next day!

Thanks again for being the BEST venue!

Muchas gracias Candice and Daniel! All the best for a future full of love and happiness

We would like to extend our big thanks to Candice and Daniel for choosing a Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen wedding, it was our pleasure to host you and your amazing family and friends. These lovebirds were simply glowing and amor was the theme of the day, a union not only of Candice and Daniel but of their families forever. Gracias to all for a wonderful event!

Feeling inspired? Contact us today to start planning your own private villa wedding in Playa del Carmen at Villa la Joya.

As always we would like to extend our gratitude to all the incredible Playa del Carmen wedding vendors who helped make this a stunning event. If you can dream it, we can make it happen and there are NO vendor fees at Villa la Joya! Email us today!

Venue: Villa La Joya

Wedding Planners: Paradise Wedding & Events (Gaby, Anna & Mina)

Photographer: Caro Navarro Photography 

Photographer (engagement shoot): DriftCurrent Adventures  (underwater photos)

Videographer: Amare Weddings Mexico

MUA: Zöe Elizabeth Makeup

Flowers: Cherry Blossom Mexico

Caterer: Gourmet Soberanis

Desserts: Lluvia de Azucar; Los Pockets (churro cart)

Rentals: EW Cancun

Alcohol: Barras Libres

Music/DJ: Plug In Audiovisual

Dress: Pronovias (top + ceremony skirt); David's Bridal (reception skirt)

Accommodations: Gilda Villas

Transportation: Xelbor

Dance Floor/Pool Cover: Hercon Entertainment

Elegant Private Villa Wedding in Mexico

Elegant Private Villa Wedding in Mexico

Stephanie and Ricky Get Married in an Elegant Private Villa Wedding in Mexico

Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen was honored to host the elegant private villa wedding of Stephanie and Ricky and we are delighted to share all the inspirational details. It was love at first sight on a blind date set up by Ricky’s sister and now their forever love is signed, sealed and delivered for eternity.

The fashion of it all! Stylish, elegant and formal destination wedding attire for a big wedding party

Stephanie and Ricky brought all their friends along and the big wedding party was decked out in the most gorgeous wedding finery. First up, let’s talk about Stephanie because she WOWED us with her stunning look, a figure-hugging gown with a train that showed off her curves, and a crown and long veil that we were swooning over. With hair and makeup by ST Makeup Artistry accenting her natural beauty, Stephanie looked like she just stepped out of a bridal magazine, gorge.

Groom Ricky was smashingly handsome by her side, his own formal tuxedo with white jacket and his groomsmen in black made quite an impact. The bridesmaids wore elegant formal gowns, each unique and in a varying shade of blush. Standing all together at the altar they made an incredible portrait of the perfect formal destination wedding in paradise. 

Can a destination beach wedding be formal? Absolutely! This formal wedding in Playa del Carmen is pure golden elegance

Stephanie and Ricky’s gold and champagne themed wedding brought formal elegance to the gardens of Villa la Joya. The super lush flowers from Pure Love Floral Design, the golden place settings and the stunning Sky Tent created and ALL the great details made this a beautiful event that the loved ones of Stephanie and Ricky will never forget.

Contact us today to start planning your own formal destination wedding in Mexico! Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen can’t wait to start planning your big day

This formal wedding at Villa la Joya is just one of the many inspirational weddings we have to share with you! We have helped plan weddings of all sizes, from intimate gatherings for two to big weddings of up to 200, formal weddings or boho chic, we are waiting to hear from you. The benefits of having a private villa wedding in Playa del Carmen are total freedom to make it YOUR wedding, exactly as you dream. If you can imagine it, we can make it happen and all with NO vendor fees and 100% privacy. Contact us today!

As always, a big shout out to all the incredible Playa del Carmen wedding vendors for Stephanie and Ricky’s wedding at Villa la Joya!

Dream Weddings, Planner

Monica Lopez Photography

My Love Films

ST Makeup Artistry

Pure Love Floral Design 

EW Cancun, Rentals

Dorremix, DJ

The Best Real Wedding Story You’ll Read in 2022

The Best Real Wedding Story You’ll Read in 2022

The Best Real Wedding Story You’ll Read in 2022: Ashley and Alden’s Emotional Destination Wedding in Playa del Carmen

At Villa la Joya we are blessed to work with incredible love stories every single day. We become immersed in your tales of amor, we cry during your speeches, we are true romantics and we can’t just get enough! The story of Ashley and Alden is one we will never forget, a love story of overcoming obstacles and making dreams come true. Have the tissues ready, this is a tearjerker and it is simply one of the most romantic destination weddings in Playa del Carmen we have ever had the honor to host. 

The beginning of something beautiful: From Eastern Washington University to romantic beach vacations in Mexico

How it all began:

Alden and I met when he was recruited to Eastern Washington University to play basketball. I was going to Eastern as well and Alden ended up also getting a scholarship for football, where he helped win the 2012 National Championship. He stayed in Spokane after college and that is where our relationship blossomed. 

Why did you choose a wedding in Mexico?

We love Mexico. It is one of our favorite places to vacation. We got engaged during peek covid times and we thought what better way to get married than in our favorite place (Mexico.) It gave our guests something to look forward to after being stuck inside for so long. We had never been to Cancun, only Cabo. But Cancun took our breath away and is now our “go-to” going forward for vacation.

Overcoming the odds to stand at the altar: Emotional moments reveal the power of love

Love is magic, it heals, it overcomes the odds and it brings light to all of our lives. The power of love shone through in the Playa del Carmen wedding ceremony of Ashely and Alden at Villa la Joya.

The whole day was an emotional rollercoaster, for us, our guests and our family. 5 years ago Alden was a victim of a crime where he was shot 11 times. The doctors gave him a 4% chance of ever walking again. Alden was left wheelchair bound and it rocked all of our worlds. With a ton of practice and determination Alden knew he would stand at the altar. So, the day of our wedding Alden was able to stand at the altar and walk down the aisle. I do not think there was a dry eye in the venue at that time. He also got to stand for our first dance, it was the most magical day of our lives.

This was truly one of the most emotional wedding ceremonies we have had the joy of hosting at Villa la Joya. The moment Alden stood at the altar to declare his forever love to Ashley is something we will never, ever forget. Love is magic, love is powerful, love heals and love makes the world go round.

Stunning style and details at the destination wedding of Ashley and Alden

Why did you choose Villa La Joya for your destination wedding in Playa del Carmen?

We knew we wanted a private venue to make it more personal. Nothing had really caught our eye. We researched and researched and when we saw Villa La Joya we knew it was our venue. The endless options to make our wedding show our personal style, the breathtaking views, and honestly the venue itself is STUNNING. You pull up to the villa and you feel like you are in a dream. There is nothing like Villa La Joya and I wish I could do that day over and over. 

Apart from the magical love story, Ashley and Alden’s wedding was absolutely gorgeous! Elegant and stylish, every detail was simply perfect. We LOVED the cover over the pool, the dried flowers, the cake, the decor, it was a wedding straight from a bridal magazine.

What would you change about your Playa del Carmen wedding day? 

I wouldn’t have changed anything, to be honest. It was a perfect day for me. My advice to future brides is to soak up every moment of your day, it goes by fast. Do not sweat the little things, there will always be a few hiccups the day of. Most importantly remember why you are there and how blessed you are to have so much love surrounding you two that day.

Muchas gracias to Ashley and Alden, thank you for inspiring us with your love story

We are grateful to Ashley and Alden for choosing Villa La Joya for your destination wedding in Mexico. We are truly moved and changed by your story and inspired by your love. We wish you both all the best for a life of happiness and joy!

Contact us today to start planning your own destination wedding in Mexico! Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen is waiting to hear from you!

Looking for wheelchair-accessible wedding venues in Mexico? Send us a message today to ask about our accessibility and all the ways we can make YOUR Playa del Carmen wedding day pure magic. 

As always, thanks to our wonderful Playa del Carmen wedding vendors and remember, there are no vendor fees at Villa la Joya! Let’s make your wedding dreams come true.

Vendors: 

Paradise Photo Studio

Cancun Unique Weddings

Galia Lahav

Studio Lounge Audiovisual

Zaida Marcos Cakes

Varsovia Group Floral Design

Chef Christian Morales