Pretty in Pink Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen Wedding

Pretty in Pink Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen Wedding

Sadett & Maximiliano: Pretty in Pink Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen Wedding

Muchas felicidades and big congratulations to Sadett and Maximiliano who recently painted Villa la Joya pink with their romantic Playa del Carmen wedding. There were endless divine details and the elegant florals by Vicente Coral created a magical setting perfect for amor. You are definitely going to want to see ALL the wedding photos by Isabella Rodriguez, this was a joyous celebration of love with family and friends.

Catholic Wedding Ceremony Playa del Carmen: Religious and Civil Ceremonies

Can you have a traditional Catholic ceremony at a destination wedding in Mexico? Yes, you can! We are often asked this question and we are always happy to help plan a religious wedding in Playa del Carmen. 

Sadett and Maximiliano incorporated both a religious and a civil ceremony into their wedding day, sharing their faith and commitment for a lifetime. The Villa la Joya grand entrance staircase witnessed this gorgeous couple exchanging their vows, Sadett in a stunning bridal gown that showed off her enviable figure and Maximiliano in an absolutely fabulous pink suit. With loved ones in various shades of pink, it was a remarkably romantic scene.

Inspired wedding reception decor: Intimate, elegant and playful fiesta

Sadett and Maximiliano had such a unique and personalized reception set-up, with intimate tents and extravagant florals and lights. The dance floor over the pool, the luscious sweethearts table, and live music, we loved every moment and detail. The cake by Doux Melange was a cascade of white sugar roses and a tribute to the couple’s beloved dogs who could not attend. 

After a gourmet meal by Banquetes Camino Premium catering and toasts that elicited tears and laughter, the party really kicked off. The smiles on the dance floor say it all, this was an epic fun fiesta and the perfect way to join the families together in grand style. Generations from young to old joined together to dance the night away and wish the newlyweds a long and happy life together.

Inspired by this real Playa del Carmen wedding? Let’s start planning!

We were absolutely inspired by the wedding of Sadett and Maximiliano. It's a pleasure to work with dynamic couples to bring their creative ideas to life. Of course, this is the combined efforts of all the wedding vendors who came together at Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen for a spectacular day. We ADORE meeting vendors from around the world in collaboration to create the perfect destination wedding in Mexico and we send our gratitude to all who brought the magic to Sadett and Maximilliano’s big day.

Angelica Wedding Planner

Photo - Isabella Rodriguez

Glam Team- Angy Maquillista

Florals & Rentals - Vicente Coral

Catering - Banquetes Camino Premium

Cake - Doux Melange

360 Booth - Elements Party

Total Tents

PME DJ’s

9 Destination Wedding Trends That Are Rocking 2023

9 Destination Wedding Trends That Are Rocking 2023

Destination weddings continue to captivate couples seeking unique and unforgettable experiences to tie the knot. As we slip into Summer 2023, the world of destination weddings is brimming with exciting trends and inspirations. Let’s explore the top destination wedding trends for the rest of 2023, ideas for extraordinary celebrations that will leave you and your guests with priceless memories for a lifetime.

1. Opulent Grandeur.

Big weddings are back in style, and couples are embracing opulence like never before. Extravagant private villa settings, luxurious decor, huge chandeliers, and lavish floral arrangements are taking center stage. From ornate architecture to lush outdoor landscapes, couples are seeking venues that exude grandeur and offer ample space for their elaborate celebrations. Like Villa la Joya for instance. 

2. Unique Destination Weddings.

Destination weddings have always held a certain allure, but in 2023, couples are taking it a step further by choosing offbeat and extraordinary locations. Exotic beachfronts, garden retreats, and exclusive private villas are becoming popular choices. Couples are seeking destinations that not only provide a stunning backdrop but also offer a one-of-a-kind experience for their guests. Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen totally fits the bill!

3. Statement Floral Installations.

Flowers are an integral part of any wedding, but in 2023, expect to see larger-than-life floral installations stealing the show. From suspended floral decor and cascading floral walls to breathtaking floral arches, couples are embracing bold and imaginative designs to create a whimsical and enchanting atmosphere. These stunning floral displays are sure to leave guests in awe. The florists in Playa del Carmen, like Cherry Blossom & Pure Love Floral Design (both pictured below), are world-class and will make all your floral fantasies come true.

4. Sustainable Destination Weddings.

With a growing focus on sustainability, couples are incorporating eco-conscious elements into their destination weddings. In 2023, expect to see eco-friendly venue choices, locally sourced and organic cuisine, and sustainable decor options. By minimizing the environmental impact of your wedding, you can create a celebration that not only reflects your values but also leaves a positive mark on the destination. Villa la Joya takes pride in being eco-conscious, ask us about our Sea Turtle Sanctuary project!

5. Fusion Cuisine.

In 2023, wedding menus are going beyond traditional fare and the boring old “chicken or fish” meals. Couples are opting for fusion cuisine, combining flavors from different cultures and regions to create a culinary adventure. Global-inspired menus, gourmet food stations, and personalized tasting menus are gaining popularity, ensuring a gastronomic delight for guests and reflecting the couple's unique tastes and heritage. At Villa la Joya, Mexican aromas, flavors, and fusions are all the rage for destination weddings with sabor. Ask our Playa del Carmen wedding caterers about a unique menu from Yucatan to really spice up your culinary offerings. Catering below by YD Events & Gourmet Soberanis.

6. Tech-Enhanced Destination Weddings.

Leverage technology to enhance your destination wedding experience. Live streaming services allow you to include loved ones who couldn't physically attend, ensuring they can still be a part of your special day. Additionally, utilize destination-specific apps and websites to provide guests with information, recommendations, and interactive features that make their travel and stay more convenient and enjoyable. Your wedding entertainment can include techy inspiration with light shows, water drums, neon signs, video projections and even giant robots!

7. Architectural Marvels.

Couples are seeking venues that are architectural wonders in themselves. Iconic buildings, historic landmarks, and contemporary structures with stunning design elements are highly sought after. These venues serve as a breathtaking backdrop and provide an extraordinary setting for couples to exchange vows amidst awe-inspiring beauty. One look at the beautiful architecture of Villa la Joya and you’ll be hooked and booked.

8. Immersive Cultural Experiences.

Immerse yourself and your guests in the local culture of your chosen destination. Destination weddings in 2023 are all about creating unforgettable experiences that go beyond the wedding day itself. Incorporate local traditions, cuisine, and entertainment to provide a truly immersive experience for your guests, allowing them to fully embrace the destination's culture and magic. A Mexican wedding at Villa la Joya is always a joyous and dynamic celebration.

9. Weekend-Long Wedding Fiestas.

Extend the celebration beyond just the wedding day. In 2023, couples are planning weekend-long events filled with pre-wedding parties, post-wedding brunches, and various activities to keep the excitement going. This allows for more quality time with loved ones and an opportunity to truly embrace the destination wedding experience. Playa del Carmen is the ideal destination for a celebration that goes beyond the wedding day. 

Ready to embark on this incredible journey of planning your wedding? Let these trends guide you as you create a destination wedding that reflects your unique love story and showcases the beauty of your chosen location. Cheers to a magical and extraordinary wedding experience, we hope you will join us at Villa la Joya, contact us today!

Photo Credits in no particular order: Caro Navarro Photography, Andre Gouin, LuxArt Wedding Studio, Kape Photography, Maricarmen Arcos Photography, Amor Amor Weddings, Anna Roussos, Martin Wilk, Hannah Rosser Photography.

Wedding Planners involved: Fresa Weddings, Villa Planners, Weddings on the Beach, Dhanroc Events, Laura Almodovar Event Design, Dream Weddings, Paradise Weddings, Mango Weddings.

Destination Wedding Invitations from Real Brides at Villa la Joya Mexico

Destination Wedding Invitations from Real Brides at Villa la Joya Mexico

Set the scene for romance and stir up excitement about your destination wedding in Mexico. Get inspired and be creative, your wedding invitation is the first look at the theme and vibe of your destination wedding events. Embrace a travel look or go lush and tropical, incorporate your wedding colors or flowers and of course your personality as you invite your guests to join you on the biggest day of your life. 

Seriously romantic or a touch of whimsy and humor, here are some destination wedding invitations from some of the newlyweds we have hosted at Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen. Ready for real wedding inspiration? 

Travel-inspired wedding invitations: Now boarding for love

Sandra & Junior invited loved ones to their Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen wedding with a passport to paradise and a boarding pass RSVP to love.

Using warm and welcoming gold on cream colors with palm trees and a handwritten script, this is an irresistible destination wedding invitation. Have my margarita waiting! 

The travel-themed wedding invitations of Stephanie and Thiago included an elegant Passaporte de Casamento or Passport to Marriage with travel stamps from around the world.

We LOVED the gold-stamped image of Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen for the cover and the passport photo of the happy couple, personalized perfection.

Tayla and Shaun tempted their guests to join them in paradise with a photo of Villa la Joya Mexico and gorgeous glittery gold on the luscious thick, creamy stock. “Our Happily Ever After” written in elegant script is a wedding invitation to a fairy tale day.

Destination wedding invitations with a tropical vibe

Put your guests in the mood for a tropical adventure, wedding invitations with jungle and ocean looks will tempt anyone to run away with you.

Secily and Daniel’s creative take on the tropical theme with fine laser cut leaves giving a peek into a lush jungle color palette was just the right look for their wedding in Mexico.

A’ngelique and Michael had a whisper of the jungle in their elegant tropical wedding invitations with a hint of palm trees, classic type font and a fabulous photo of the couple in the jungle for their “save the date” card.

Simple, elegant, capturing the feelings of love in paradise.

Brittan and Brad had a tropical theme wedding invitation with watercolor palm leaves and a really pretty handwritten script. The theme is truly yours to explore and be creative with, look how different these “tropical, palm trees wedding invitations” are!

The type of font, paper, colors, images, the tropical world is your oyster to make the theme just right for you.

Minimalist wedding invitation for a simple and clean look

Ambrosia and Zefan chose a minimalist wedding invitation with a simple and clean look.

Timeless and elegant the embossed white on white is a classic with a focus on the couple in a perfectly romantic script.

Vintage-look wedding invitation for old-school romance

These super pretty invitations from Christina and John bring you back to a time when writing a letter was as common as a text.

Old-school stationary with tiny flowers and vines, stamps reminiscent of a bygone era where the letter went round the world to find the wedding guests.

Modern destination wedding invitations in a sleek acrylic style

We love the look and feel of these acrylic wedding invitations from Alexis and Ronnie. Polished and sleek, acrylic wedding invitations are a modern twist on traditional stationery.

Looks like glass but light and easy to mail and offers a huge range of options for colors, styles, and creative ideas for the modern couple.

Floral wedding invitations for a garden of delights

Incorporating your wedding flowers in the invitation is a great way to immerse your guests in the feel of your colors and themes. Anastasia and Eliot blended a beautiful watercolor floral design with a modern acrylic twist, classic but youthful and hard to resist.

The response to these destination wedding invitations is sure to be an RSVP YES YES YES to love. We are excited by each and every unique and creative vision of the couples who get married at Villa la Joya Mexico and we cannot wait to see your ideas!

Feeling inspired? Ready to book your own destination wedding in Mexico at Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen? Contact us today and let’s make magic!

Gorgeous Jewish Destination Wedding in Mexico

Gorgeous Jewish Destination Wedding in Mexico

Yael and Alex Get Married! Gorgeous Jewish Destination Wedding in Mexico

Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen was delighted to welcome Yael & Alex and their guests to celebrate their joyous day with us. This traditional Jewish destination wedding in Mexico was simply magic, sunshine, love, romance, family, and gorgeous details. The bride and groom were surrounded by loving family and friends as they exchanged vows and declared their forever love. 

Yael and Alexander started the day getting ready with their wedding party and enjoying a photo shoot with Amor Amor Weddings. The bridesmaids wore oh-so-pretty pink and the bride was glowing in her stunning gown. Yael’s bridal gown was ideal for a wedding by the beach, strappy, backless, daring, and sexy, it showed off her magnificent figure perfectly. 

Groom Alex wore a traditional tux, with no socks, of course, it’s the fashion for an outdoor wedding by the beach. The bride and groom shared a “first look” moment on the Villa la Joya balcony, gazing into each other’s eyes with all the love in the world and giving a little twirl. 

Traditional Jewish destination wedding ceremony in Mexico

Can you have a traditional Jewish wedding in Mexico? Yes, you can! Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen welcomes couples of all faiths to join us in our home by the sea. We understand the unique needs of a Jewish destination wedding and are happy to help in creating a magical blend of the traditions of the faith and the tropical vibe of Playa del Carmen. 

Yael and Alex exchanged vows in a traditional Jewish wedding ceremony in Mexico. The chuppah (bridal canopy) is an essential part of the Jewish wedding, a sanctified place of four posts supporting a cloth covering, open to the sides. It represents the new home that the bride and groom will share together. Yael and Alex joined together under the chuppah decorated with an abundance of gorgeous pink roses by Cherry Blossom Florists. The rabbi blessed their union, witnessed by all the people who love Yael and Alex in an emotional and moving ceremony and they were united forever in amor!

Mazel tov, let the party begin! The dynamic wedding reception of Yael and Alex

A romantic first dance, moving toasts, delicious kosher catering by Gourmet Soberanis, a fabulous dessert table, fireworks and churros, and adorable kids on the dance floor, the reception of Yael and Alex was pure fun and celebration. The Jewish wedding reception traditions of cutting the Challah bread, the Hora chair dance, and the prayers of blessing made this an unforgettable night for all. Music, dancing, tasty treats, and entertainment on a beautiful Playa del Carmen evening, we thank Yael and Alex for inviting us to be a part of their magical day. 

Thank you, gracias, mazel tov, and congratulations to Yael and Alex

All of us at Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen send our gratitude and best wishes to Yael and Alex! May you enjoy a lifetime of happiness together and may your days forever be full of sunshine and love. 

Are you looking to plan a Jewish destination wedding in Mexico? We invite you to contact us today at Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen! We can’t wait to hear your ideas and work together to create the perfect wedding day of faith, tradition, and tropical beauty. 

As always, a huge thank you to our incredible Playa del Carmen wedding vendors, we couldn’t do it without you. And remember, there are never any vendor fees at Villa la Joya, put those pesos to use for something gorgeous! 

Mango Weddings - Planner

Amor Amor Weddings - Photo

Angye Abarca - MUA

Cherry Blossom - Flowers

Gourmet Soberanis - Catering

Lali Pasteles & Lluvia de Azúcar - Cake and dessert table

Velvet Event Design - Rentals

Los Pockets - Churros

Drums in Paradise - Entertainment

TI Fusion Band - Music

Sea Turtle Conservation in the Riviera Maya

Sea Turtle Conservation in the Riviera Maya

Sea Turtle Conservation in the Riviera Maya:

Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen

The Riviera Maya sea turtle nesting season is upon us once again and the team at Villa la Joya Sea Turtle Sanctuary is ready! The location of our wedding venue on the beach of Playa Paraiso is prime nesting territory for endangered sea turtles and it is our mission to do our part in protecting these phenomenal creatures. Sea turtle conservation begins at home, Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen is an eco-friendly wedding venue in the Riviera Maya and we are extremely proud of our team’s dedication and passion for sustainability. The Villa la Joya Sea Turtle Sanctuary invites you to read on to learn about our efforts and how you can help.

Every year the Mexican Caribbean shores welcome the presence of four different species of sea turtles, which include the Loggerhead Caretta Caretta, Green or White Chelonia Mydas, Hawksbill Eretmochelys Imbricata,  and Leatherback Dermochelys Coriacea turtles. The annual Playa del Carmen sea turtle nesting season that takes place from May to October is one of the most remarkable events in the Riviera Maya. During this time, female sea turtles emerge from the ocean and come ashore to lay their eggs in the sand. The Villa la Joya Sea Turtle Sanctuary team is prepared to protect the mamas, their eggs, and the hatchlings 24/7 during the 2023 sea turtle nesting season. 

The Villa la Joya Sea Turtle Sanctuary: Patrolling the Beach Since 2011

Our conservationists and volunteers work tirelessly to safeguard the nests from predators and ensure that the eggs hatch safely. This includes day and night patrols monitoring the beach for females coming to shore. The Villa la Joya Sea Turtle Sanctuary team is specially trained to protect, track and monitor the mothers peacefully and with minimal intrusion. 

If you come upon a nesting female sea turtle in the Riviera Maya, do NOT approach, do not shine lights of any kind, stay quiet and report the sighting to one of the turtle patrols along the beach. The VLJ Sea Turtle Sanctuary team can be found along the stretch of beach known as Playa Paraiso and most hotels in the region will have people who are there to assist.

We relocate the precious eggs (as seen above) to the Villa la Joya Sea Turtle Sanctuary fenced corrals where they will be safe from harm until they hatch. We’ve built a new corral this year (below the corral in the process of being built) and are excited to have the opportunity to protect even more eggs from predators, the careless footsteps of humans, and natural weather phenomena. 

The sea turtles in the Riviera Maya are exposed to numerous threats, including habitat destruction, pollution, fishing, and poaching. In an attempt to safeguard these endangered animals, The Villa la Joya Sea Turtle Sanctuary has implemented various conservation efforts. These initiatives encompass diverse activities, ranging from monitoring and securing nesting sites to educating our community and our wedding guests about the significance of conservation. This is our passion project, our love and we’ve been working hard to protect the sea turtles since 2011.

Education is KEY: Protecting the Sea Turtles and Spreading the Message

Regrettably, some humans may inadvertently contribute to the depletion of sea turtle populations by engaging in detrimental activities such as touching, chasing, or disturbing nesting females. It is crucial for visitors to be educated on how to minimize their impact on the environment and protect these magnificent creatures.

Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen is a PLASTIC-FREE wedding venue and we actively encourage everyone around the world to adopt the same policy. Plastics in the sea are one of the biggest threats to sea turtles, even if you are not in the Riviera Maya you can do your part at home with the Three R’s of reduce, re-use and recycle. 



Sea turtles are an indispensable part of the Riviera Maya's marine ecosystem, and it is imperative to protect them to ensure the region's long-term sustainability. By partaking in responsible tourism practices and supporting conservation efforts, Villa la Joya Sea Turtle Sanctuary is passionate about playing a role in preserving these magnificent creatures for future generations to appreciate.

Would you like to help the sea turtles in the Riviera Maya? We welcome you to contact us with any questions or donations (we are driven by volunteers and donations) to the Villa la Joya Sea Turtle Sanctuary. Ask us about sponsoring a sea turtle nest, our sustainability practices for eco-friendly weddings or even coordinating a baby sea turtle release. We are ready to do our part, we hope you are too!