Damola & Gene’s Perfectly Romantic Playa del Carmen Wedding

Damola & Gene’s Perfectly Romantic Playa del Carmen Wedding

This is one of those Playa del Carmen weddings we adore, full of family love, the warmth of friends and gorgeous details (no, really, GORGEOUS). Stunning bride Damola tied the knot forever with her strikingly handsome groom Gene in a Playa del Carmen wedding ceremony of bohemian elegance and a wedding reception party that was simply legendary. Ready for some real destination wedding inspiration at Villa la Joya? 

“First look” MAGIC with Damola and Gene at Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen.

Bride Damola took our breath away with her luxurious bridal robe by BMF Gallery, an extravaganza of tulle that set the tone for romance and fashion. Groom Gene was a dream in a white dinner jacket and black vest and he shared some special moments getting ready with his guys.

We asked Damola to share with us her favorite part of her Playa del Carmen wedding day:

The favorite part of our wedding day was our first look and everything leading up to it. The emotional walk up the beautiful staircase, the tap, and ultimately the first look was a moment we will both cherish for a lifetime.

The “first look” photos are priceless, the love just radiates from Damola and Gene and the architecture of Villa la Joya sets a beautiful scene. With the “first look” on the stairs and a portrait session on the Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen balcony, the bride and groom shared some special time to calm the butterflies before walking down the aisle.

Romance rules at the Playa del Carmen wedding of Damola and Gene

From start to finish, this was a wedding of romance and pure amor and beauty in all the details. The ceremony on the stairs of Villa la Joya was framed by the marble arch and columns and a luxe circular arch of cream flowers and dried arrangements. La Chica de las Flores Cancun created a masterful bridal bouquet of cascading flowers and we loved ALL the floral design of the day, luscious and lovely. The table decor and centerpieces were unique and simply perfect, have a look at all the photos by Julie Roman Photographer. 

The reception was a celebration of family and friends, moving champagne tributes, and fun tequila toasts. Damola changed into a short bridal gown for the reception to kick it up on the dance floor. The guests got down and boogied all night long and enjoyed the churro snacks by Los Pockets. A grand time was had by all and it was an unforgettable evening of love. 

Why choose a Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen wedding in Mexico?

We always ask our newlyweds to tell us why they chose a Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen wedding in Mexico, here is what Damola shared with us: 

Well that’s a no brainer! The venue is absolutely breathtaking. A destination wedding was something Gene and  I always wanted and chose The Villa La Joya as our venue before ever seeing the venue in person. VLJ is the most luxurious location and screamed both of our personalities! 

We decided to visit Mexico in December prior to our wedding in November where we went for a site visit and we fell in love all over again. Pictures do no justice to the VLJ. We were welcomed by the awesome staff members. At that point we knew for sure we were in great hands. We would do it all over again in a heartbeat!

Would you have done anything differently? Any advice for future brides and grooms?

Not a thing! Our wedding weekend and wedding day was the most perfect day ever. Our family and friends till now have not stopped talking about our wedding and the Villa La Joya of course! The next morning we had friends ask if we could do it all over again…haha!

Trust the process and keep calm. Do your homework as it relates to choosing a wedding planner and venue. I truly believe your wedding planner is a critical part of your big day! Luisa from Weddings Riviera Maya and her team made our day and wedding event PERFECT!  Budget and create a priority list for your must-haves. After all, there’s still life after your big day!

We want to extend our gratitude to newlyweds Damola & Gene for inviting us to host your special day. We wish you all the best for a lifetime of happiness together!

Feeling inspired by this romantic Playa del Carmen wedding? Contact us today at Villa la Joya!

Are you ready to start planning your own Playa del Carmen wedding in Mexico? We can’t wait to hear your ideas and bring them to life at a private villa wedding at Villa la Joya. No cookie cutter weddings here, you can bring YOUR vision to life with the Playa del Carmen wedding vendors of your choice. No vendor fees, no choosing your wedding from Column A or B, a private villa wedding is your day, just the way you want it. 

Big thanks to all the Playa del Carmen wedding vendors who made this such a gorgeous day, as always we are grateful, we couldn’t do it without you!

Wedding Vendors:

Planner: Weddings Riviera Maya

Photo: Julie Roman Photography

Video: LUX LikeArt

MUA: Alejandra Leon M&H

Wedding Dress: Elysee Bridal Design at One Bridal Boutique

Reception Dress: Revolve

Shoes: Jimmy Choo

Bridal Robe: BMF Gallery

Bride Wig: Dark and Deluxe Wigs

Jewelry: Ai & Eva Bridal Jewelry

Nails: @_rachel_nails_

Rings: Verragio & Cartier

Photo Booth: La Cabina Mexico

Churro Stand: Los Pockets

Custom Petal Cones: @yinvivo

Floral: La Chica de las Flores Cancun

Rentals: Velvet Events Design

DJ: Hercon Entertainment

Bar: @caribbeandrikity

Caterer: Online Mayan Chef

Cake: Lluvia de Azucar

Transportation: @karma_trails_dmc

Invitations: Ink and Bows

Jenny and Danny’s Private Estate Wedding in Mexico

Jenny and Danny’s Private Estate Wedding in Mexico

Jenny and Danny get married at Villa la Joya, a private estate wedding in Mexico full of romance and pretty details. The couple met on a dating app called “Coffee Meets Bagel”, which is a great name for an app and a fun “How We Met” story for the grandkids. The young couple was surrounded by their closest family and friends for an intimate garden wedding and an unplugged reception. 

Getting ready and first looks: Champagne, laughter and fashion

Looking at the “getting ready” photos, you can feel the building excitement and the loving support of the family that surrounds Jenny and Danny. Bride and groom exchanged beautiful gifts with their bridal parties and enjoyed champagne to toast the day ahead. Bride Jenny was radiant with her dark hair falling in waves on the white lace of her stunning Ines di Santo wedding gown and groom Danny was rocking a sharp grey suit from Suit Supply, a gorgeous couple. 

Jenny and Danny shared a classic “first look” moment and gazed into one another’s eyes with looks of love in a portrait session on the balcony and throughout the halls of Villa la Joya. We adore “first looks” before a wedding, it’s a special time for the couple to relax and connect with one another before the excitement. The “first look” wedding photos by Cocoknot capture the pure love and happiness that exudes from Jenny and Danny, priceless. 

Private villa wedding in Mexico: Jenny and Danny tie the knot in an elegant garden wedding at Villa la Joya

The wedding ceremony of Jenny and Danny was romantic, elegant and the right mix of fun and emotion. The “flower men” dance by the brothers was a brilliant way to set the mood for joy.The split arch of flowers by Cherry Blossom framed the couple at the altar with a beautiful backdrop of ocean and sky as they said their “I Do’s” in an unplugged wedding ceremony. The “big dip and kiss” as they came down the aisle as newlyweds goes in our Top Ten Ceremony Kisses, totally suave and smooth and romantic!

Why choose a private estate wedding in Mexico? Why book a Villa la Joya wedding?

Choosing a private estate wedding in Mexico is the ideal way to share your love with your family and friends in an exclusive and unique setting. A Villa la Joya wedding gives you all the flexibility in the world to create and plan the wedding of your dreams. We like to ask our newlyweds why they decided on a Villa la Joya wedding in Mexico, here is what Jenny & Danny shared with us…


Mexico is so beautiful, the people there are always so kind and welcoming. We vacation to Mexico often, as it is only a 2-hour flight from Houston, Texas. We love it so much, we wanted it to be where we celebrated our special day too. 


Villa La Joya was exactly our style. Clean, minimal, and the option for an outdoor lawn ceremony overlooking the beach without being on the beach (we hate sand!) The venue is absolutely breathtaking. The photos we saw on Instagram are exactly how it is in person.

We would like to send Jenny and Danny our big congratulations and wishes for a long and happy lifetime together. We are so pleased to have met you and we thank you for allowing us to host your private estate wedding in Mexico at Villa la Joya. We loved the details of the personalized coconuts and the churro cart, fun little dashes of Mexico!

Feeling inspired by this private estate wedding in Mexico at Villa la Joya? Contact us today

Let’s bring your wedding dreams to life, we can’t wait to hear your ideas. Villa la Joya Mexico and Villa Planners welcome you to the world of totally personalized weddings with the best vendors in the Riviera Maya and never any vendor fees! Our beautiful private villa awaits and our team of experienced wedding professionals is ready to make wedding magic with you. Contact us today!

As always, a big thank you to the Playa del Carmen wedding vendors who made Jenny and Danny’s day so special. 

Wedding Vendors

- Venue: Villa La Joya

- Wedding Planner: N/A (I planned the wedding myself) 

- Wedding Day of Coordination: Villa Planners (Nancy & Adriana)

- MakeUp: N/A (I did my own hair and makeup)

- Wedding Dress: Ines Di Santo

- Suit: Suit Supply

- Floral: Cherry Blossom

- Photography: CocoKnot Weddings

- Videography: My Love Films

- Desserts: Los Pockets

- Coconuts: Ko’Coo Coconuts

- Audio: Disco Movil Cancun

Lindsay and Jack’s Romantic Wedding in the Riviera Maya

Lindsay and Jack’s Romantic Wedding in the Riviera Maya

Lindsay and Jack get married! This Riviera Maya wedding at Villa la Joya was such a romantic affair. We were honored to host the wedding and coordinate as Villa Planners to celebrate the union of Lindsay and Jack. What started out as friendship blossomed into a sweet romance and a surprise engagement with a walk by a lake in Aspen. They joined together before family and friends in a Villa la Joya wedding full of joy. 

Extra, extra, read all about it! The best day ever, Jack and Lindsay are getting married!

The big day started off in the Villa la Joya condo, the excitement building as bride and groom got ready with their loved ones. Silver and white balloons, champagne and a fabulous personalized newspaper announcing the headline of the day. This was such a fun idea! Bride Lindsay donned a soft and flowing bridal gown with a pretty lacy veil on her natural blonde waves while groom Jack wore an elegant formal white jacket and black bow tie, a gorgeous couple.

A moving Riviera Maya wedding ceremony and a funtastic wedding reception at Villa la Joya

Jack and Lindsay had such a special wedding ceremony, officiated by their beloved friends Britt and Bailey and filled with the love of family and friends. The aisle was lined with stunning white roses, a striking contrast to the wedding party in black. Jack and Lindsay shared a private communion to begin their new lives together as partners forever, a truly special moment they’ll always remember. 

With a cocktail hour in the Villa la Joya garden, the celebration really kicked off. We loved the comfy cozy seating areas and the abundant white roses by Pentaflor. Gourmet Soberanis outdid themselves with a delicious buffet and the cake by Lali Pasteles was just perfect. Lindsay changed into a cute little white dress with a boa that was made for dancing. The reception was full of moving and funny toasts and a whole lot of boogie was left on the dance floor.

Why get married in Mexico? Why choose a Villa la Joya wedding?

We always ask our newlyweds why they chose to get married in Mexico at Villa la Joya Riviera Maya and for their advice for future couples. Here is what Lindsay and Jack shared with us:

“We weren't originally planning on Mexico, and instead, we were going to get married at Jack's parent's home in the mountains. After thinking it over, we thought that would be too much work. Jack and I chose Mexico after seeing Villa la Joya on Instagram one day. We fell in love with the house and knew we had to get married there. When we sent in an inquiry, the Villa Planners reached out. We were comforted by Adriana and Nancy as we found out how knowledgeable and organized they were. We decided to go with them as our planners because they were easy to talk to and so fun to work with.

For advice, I would say definitely get to Mexico at least 5 days prior to the wedding. I would also say to spend lots of time planning out the DJ songs/ announcements and maybe print out instructions. I would also recommend renting out the condo before and after the wedding as a "home base". 

MUCHAS gracias to Lindsay and Jack and big congratulations! 

We were really delighted to work with Lindsay and Jack in making their Riviera Maya wedding dreams come true with Villa Planners and Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen. We send you much love and gratitude and wishes for a long and happy lifetime together!

Are you next? Let us host and plan your Riviera Maya wedding at Villa la Joya!

Send us an email today and we’ll get started making those Riviera Maya wedding dreams come true. Villa Planners and Villa la Joya are waiting for you in paradise! 

As always, a HUGE thanks to all the Riviera Maya wedding vendors that helped make this special day so beautiful. We are so lucky and grateful to work with the very best.

Riviera Maya Wedding Vendors:

Planners: Villa Planners IG: @villaplanners

Photos: Demi Wallace IG: @demievephoto 

Makeup: Beso Brides  IG: @besobrides

Flowers: Pentaflor IG: @eve_claisse

Rentals: Canteiro Weddings IG: @canteiroweddings

Food: Gourmet Soberanis IG: @gourmetsoberanis

Cake: Lali Pasteles IG: @lalipasteles

Alcohol: Barras Libres IG: @barraslibresrm

DJ: Disco Movil IG: @disco_movil_cancun 

Transportation: Mistica

Heather and Kevin Get Married in Playa del Carmen

Heather and Kevin Get Married in Playa del Carmen

Heather and Kevin Get Married in Playa del Carmen: A Love Story

The Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen wedding of Heather and Kevin took place on a perfect Mexican Caribbean day with blue skies and fluffy white clouds and an ocean breeze. The beautiful couple joined together in love before their nearest and dearest in a romantic destination wedding in Mexico. Heather and Kevin made this wedding all their own with personal touches and unique details, we were delighted to host this marvelous group of family and friends.

Family love: Mother of the bride moments and a luxe floral welcome

My favorite moment from the wedding day was wearing matching pajamas with my mom. I was very non-traditional and didn’t have any bridesmaids. I wanted everyone to be on vacation, and not have a job to do on wedding day or leading up to it. Matching with my mom made the day feel complete.

Every private villa wedding we host is unique and we adore seeing all the ways that our couples turn Villa la Joya into their own personal paradise. Heather and her mother shared special moments in matching pajamas as they got ready for the big day, we love this idea! Heather chose not to have bridesmaids at her destination wedding in order to allow all her loved ones to enjoy a relaxed good time on the big day. 

As the time of the ceremony approached, guests were welcomed to Villa la Joya’s front gates with an absolutely stunning floral display with an antique car. The luscious flowers and greenery were cascading out of the car and we LOVED this personal touch. The bouquet, the table design, and all the flowers were amazing, a beautiful collaboration of the couple’s ideas brought to life by our favorite florists and beloved Playa del Carmen wedding vendor, Cherry Blossom Florals.

Why choose a destination wedding in Mexico? Why Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen?

We know there are a million good reasons to have a destination wedding in Mexico and we always ask our newlyweds why they chose Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen:

I (Heather) always wanted to go and Kevin had only been once for a cruise. We wanted the wedding to feel like a vacation for everyone. I decided on Villa La Joya after seeing my friend’s younger sister, Kaylen, have her wedding there. Villa La Joya was on my shortlist, but her wedding bumped it up to the top.

We are so glad Heather and Kevin chose a Playa del Carmen wedding at Villa la Joya, it was a pleasure to host this romantic day full of love. After the moving ceremony on the front steps, the celebration got started at the reception with joyous energy. Champagne, dancing, laughter and tears, a beautiful cake, and mucho amor, a day their guests will remember forever.

Best advice for destination wedding brides? Relax, breathe and make it yours!

We asked Heather for her best advice in planning a destination wedding: 

I would tell all brides to relax. I was extremely stressed the whole process, and looking back I should have taken a step back and some deep breaths. I would also tell brides that weddings are expensive, so make sure it feels like yours. I chose Villa La Joya so I could customize our wedding. It feels like everyone is doing the same things. Small personal touches really make a wedding memorable.

Wise words from a lovely bride, muchas gracias to Heather and Kevin for bringing their dream wedding ideas to life at Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen. We wish you both a lifetime of happiness together!

Feeling inspired by this destination wedding in Mexico at Villa la Joya? Contact us today!

We are romantics at heart and can’t wait to hear your love story. Contact us today and let’s make your destination wedding dreams a reality. Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen is an exclusive private villa and the perfect venue for your destination wedding in Mexico. 

As always, a big, huge gracias to our Playa del Carmen wedding vendors:

Planner: Weddings on the Beach

Photography/Video: Amor Amor Weddings

Florist: Cherry Blossom

Rentals: EW Cancun

Makeup: Beauty Expert MX

Dress: Ines di Santo

Gloves: Kerry Parker

Groom: Hugo Boss Tux

Catering: Gourmet Soberanis

Wedding Cake: Lali Pasteles

Spring Wedding Ideas 2023 from Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen

Spring Wedding Ideas 2023 from Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen

What’s the best cure for the winter blahs? Planning a spring wedding in 2023 at Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen! Shake the snow from your boots and put on your sandals, spring has almost sprung and we are ready to welcome you to paradise. We are ALL ready for fresh air and fun, let’s get inspired for those spring 2023 weddings with these great ideas from our expert team of wedding planners at Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen.

Get Outside! Outdoor weddings for spring 2023 are a breath of fresh air

Those long dark winter months have you yearning for the sun? Get outside for your spring 2023 wedding! The Villa la Joya gardens are perfect for a delightful spring wedding, with a backdrop of the Mexican Caribbean Sea and a fresh ocean breeze. Bring all your wedding ideas to light in our versatile garden areas that are just waiting for your personal touch and style. From ceremony to sunset cocktail hour to dinner and reception under the stars, the lush Villa la Joya gardens welcome you to a beautiful natural venue for your spring 2023 wedding.

Outdoor wedding ceremony spring 2023 - Flowers, Flowers Everywhere!

The fresh flowers of the season are an essential part of your spring 2023 wedding decor. Lush floral arches, wedding aisle lined with the blooms and a rose petal toss for the newlyweds exit of course. From all white to pale pastels or pops of bright color, let your imagination run wild with floral fantasies.

Floral frolic, light and fresh: Spring 2023 wedding fashion and accessories

A spring wedding is your chance to shed the layers of winter and let the sun shine in and the air caress your skin. Bridal gowns with floral accents, flowing skirts and bared shoulders or daring plunging necklines let you welcome the season in an easy breezy look. Floral hair pieces like natural crowns or loose flowers for the bride and bridal party create a fresh and romantic feel. Floral bridesmaids dresses or pastel color palettes bring the vibes of spring to your wedding fashion. The groom and his guys can get in on the spring feeling with all white suits or pastel guayaberas.

Spring 2023 wedding reception fun at Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen

The knot is tied and the deed is done, now it’s time to celebrate! After your garden wedding ceremony, invite you guests to indulge in a signature cocktail as they kick back and relax during cocktail hour. Setting up cute seating areas with garden furniture and umbrellas and a floral swing for photos is sure to be a hit. Invite a unique and adorable friend like Frida the donkey who is always happy to pose with guests. Dinner and reception decor should be light, airy and fun and of course you can continue your floral theme throughout the day. Wedding cakes with fresh flowers are divine and perfect for spring. While spring weather in Playa del Carmen is generally pretty darned perfect, you can prepare for spring showers with a beautiful sky tent at Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen! 

Feeling inspired for your own spring 2023 wedding? Join us at Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen!

We seriously LOVE spring weddings and can’t wait to hear all your ideas. Contact us today to start planning your own spring wedding and remember, there are never any vendor fees at Villa la Joya which means you have total freedom to make this the ultimate spring destination wedding of your dreams!

Photo Credits: LuxArt Weddings, Paradise Photostudio, Sweet Caribbean Photography, Richelle Hunter, Kape Photography, Moni & Adri Photography, Caro Navarro Photography, Bohemia Photography, Maricarmen Arcos, Dani Toscano, Isabella Rodriguez, CocoKnot Weddings, Adrian Bonet Photography