Elise & Joseph’s Bright, Bold and Beautiful Playa del Carmen Wedding

Elise & Joseph’s Bright, Bold and Beautiful Playa del Carmen Wedding

“Joseph and I met on a 1935 wooden classic motor yacht in Rhode Island in the summer of 2018. Joseph was interviewing me for the position of stewardess on the yacht, and I was swooned by him. We fell fast in love within the tight quarters and romantic setting of a classic motor yacht.”

Elise and Joseph launched their love story after a chance meeting by the sea in Rhode Island in 2018. We were delighted to welcome them to the seaside of Mexico in 2024 to continue their story of amor and celebrate their nuptials in a bright, bold, and beautiful Playa del Carmen wedding at Villa la Joya.

Oh so pretty in pink! Wedding ceremony WOW at Villa la Joya

The gardens of Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen were overflowing with romance and an abundance of flowers in pink colors that popped. Blonde beauty Elise wore a chic two-piece bridal ensemble and her handsome groom Joseph wore a classic black tuxedo as the two joined together forever, witnessed by their closest family and friends.

What was your wedding theme or inspiration?

I wanted the theme to be bright and fun. I was very passionate about the flowers being as colorful as possible. Cherry Blossom nailed my floral vision so well. I would certainly recommend them to any brides who are looking for a dreamy floral design!

The wedding ceremony set up in the Villa la Joya garden was breathtaking, the floral arches, decor, and bouquets by Cherry Blossom were simply out of this world. The guests showered the newlyweds with love, support, and pretty little flower petals as they walked down the aisle hand in hand together.

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

There are so many reasons to choose a destination wedding in Mexico, we like to think there is at least one good reason for every couple that has joined together in love at Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen. We asked Elise and Joseph to share their thoughts with us on their choice of Mexico and Villa la Joya:

Why choose Mexico for your destination wedding?

The first trip we ever took together was to Tulum, Mexico in 2018, and we have the best memories from the trip. We drove from Tulum to Holbox in a rental car, swam in the cenotes, rode electric bikes on the beach in Tulum, and went sky diving in Playa del Carmen. We often reminisce about what a great trip that was and how much fun we had together.

What made you decide on the wedding venue Villa La Joya Playa del Carmen?

It was very important to my husband and I that we be close to the ocean for the ceremony, and even more important that we were able to accommodate all of our friends and family in an intimate setting. The marble interior is such a beautiful work of art, and really made a statement in our wedding photos.

Moving speeches, mariachis and a grand fiesta: Villa la Joya wedding reception

A mariachi serenade welcomed one and all to the cocktail hour to kick off the festivities with a Mexican touch. Everyone in attendance laughed and cried with the moving speeches and the bride and groom exuded joy as they danced the night away and gazed into one another’s eyes.

Elise’s reception look was disco divine, slipping into a sparkling pair of sequin pants that were perfect for getting down to the funky beats. The entire wedding reception was dynamic, full of emotions, twinkly lights, love and fireworks, an epic, absolutely unforgettable party.

Muchas gracias and best wishes for a long and happy lifetime of adventure to Elise and Joseph!

All of us at Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen would like to send our gratitude to Elise and Joseph for sharing your wedding day with us. We say “muchas gracias” and send you our best wishes for a lifetime of joyous adventures together! 

Feeling inspired by this real destination wedding in Mexico? Contact us today at Villa la Joya and let’s make your wedding dreams come true!

Playa del Carmen wedding vendor love

As always, we would like to share an extra special thank you to the creative Playa del Carmen wedding vendors who always go the extra mile to make Villa la Joya weddings perfect in every way. And remember, there are never any vendor fees at Villa la Joya so you can have your wedding, your way without throwing away your pesos.

Venue: Villa La Joya | Planner: Weddings on the Beach | Photography & Videography: Amor Amor Weddings | Stationary: Design by Laney | Glam Team: Salty Beauty | Tan: Bronzed by SG | Dress: Chosen by Kyha Gown | The Black Tux | Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Decor & Rentals: Velvet Event Design | Catering: Gourmet Soberanis  | DJ Tekiwa

Maria and Kyle Get Married in Mexico: Love At First Sight and Forever and Ever

Maria and Kyle Get Married in Mexico: Love At First Sight and Forever and Ever

“We met 12 years ago while working at a summer day camp. We kicked it off very quickly and spent every day getting to know each other, it was love at first sight! We knew each other for about a month before we officially started dating and have been together ever since!”

All of us at Villa la Joya ADORE a good love story! We were delighted to welcome Maria and Kyle to the Riviera Maya to tie the knot and make their love-at-first-sight story into a happily ever after. This one is dreamy, ready for some real destination wedding inspiration?

Pretty in Pink and Oh So Dreamy: Romantic Wedding Ceremony in Playa del Carmen

The destination wedding ceremony of Maria and Kyle at Villa la Joya was lush with flowers and abundant in romance and true love. Maria’s smile was a million watts and she was simply glowing from within in her chic and elegant mermaid style gown. Groom Kyle was decked out in a light summer suit and made a handsome picture beside his bride. 

What was your destination wedding theme or inspiration?

Our wedding theme was romantic, dreamy, bright florals! We wanted our florals to stand out against the ocean backdrop and the sky of lights. We also wanted to combine a tropical beach setting with a European villa vibe. Our inspiration for signature cocktails were our favorite travels!

The wedding ceremony in the Villa la Joya garden was unique, special and moving in every way. Laughter and tears and a magical setting with the Mexican Caribbean sea and our villa as a beautiful backdrop. The pink floral arch with greens was exquisite and the stunning arrangements along the aisle welcomed the newlyweds for their first walk hand in hand into the future.

Intimate Riviera Maya wedding reception at Villa la Joya

Maria and Kyle were joined by their most cherished friends and family to raise a glass to LOVE in this fun-filled Playa del Carmen wedding reception. The blonde wood furnishings, the dreamy pastel palette of flowers and decor, it was a perfect setting for an intimate and meaningful celebration.

Why did you choose Mexico for your destination wedding?

We chose Mexico for our destination wedding because we wanted our wedding to be more than just a wedding day, we wanted a weekend full of festivities where we can join our friends and family and create lasting memories! We have traveled to Mexico a few times and wanted to incorporate local Mexican flavors and dishes into our canapes and dinner choices to make it unique!

Maria changed into an adorable bridal reception dress and twirled with Kyle and friends all night long. Sparkly lights, great music, incredible catering by Chef Thomas Medina and churros from Los Pockets made this a Villa la Joya wedding to remember.

What was your favorite moment of your Villa la Joya wedding day?

We had so many memorable moments but a few that stood out were: having a ceremony that was unique and special, the sunset during cocktail hour, the heartfelt toasts from our family, as well as the amazing food and drinks. There is nothing better than to be able to enjoy our wedding day with our closest friends and family!

Final words and advice from a newlywed destination wedding bride: Thanks Maria and Kyle!

The best advice for destination wedding planning always comes from a newlywed bride. We are so grateful to Maria and Kyle for celebrating their wedding day at Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen, thank you for sharing these wise words.

What made you decide on a Villa La Joya Riviera Maya wedding?

The venue is just stunning! We found the venue while researching private venues in Riviera Maya and we booked Villa La Joya before seeing the venue in person! Once we did an onsite visit, we knew we made the right choice. The breeze, the ocean, and the beautiful villa make it the perfect venue!

Anything you would have done differently?

Everything was just perfect! We wish we could live and relive the day forever!

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

Choosing the perfect wedding planner and vendors is everything! Find someone that you can work with and trust to turn your vision into reality! Also, taking time during the wedding day to really take it all in and try to slow down time to enjoy the moment with your husband.

One of the joys of hosting private events at Villa la Joya boutique wedding venue in Mexico is we get to meet incredible couples and their families in private wedding celebrations. One wedding per day, we really get to know the bride and groom and have the chance to be a part of a very special love story for the ages! We wish Maria and Kyle a long and happy lifetime together, full of joy and magic!

And as always, a very special thank you, muchas gracias to all the world-class, professional and creative wedding vendors in the Riviera Maya who turned a wedding dream into a reality.

Venue: Villa La Joya | Planning: Soon To Be Wedding | Photo: Maricarmen Arcos | Glam: Elizabeth Zoe Makeup | Bar: Be You Service | Floral Design: De Flores Corazon | Catering: Chef Thomas Medina | Rentals: Oleo Events Decor: Velvet Events Design | Dessert: Los Pockets | Dance Floor & Lights: DS Audiovisual | DJ: Plug In Audiovisual

Big Congratulations! Nathalie and Camil Get Married in Mexico

Big Congratulations! Nathalie and Camil Get Married in Mexico

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

Romantic and Elegant Garden Wedding in Playa del Carmen

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

Why did you choose Mexico for your destination wedding?

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

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

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

Personal and Moving Family Wedding Ceremony at Villa la Joya

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

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

What was your favorite moment of your wedding day?

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

Warm and Welcoming Villa la Joya Destination Wedding Reception

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

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

The best advice for destination wedding brides from bride Nathalie

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Zayla and Joel Get Married in Mexico: Villa la Joya Riviera Maya Real Wedding Inspiration

Zayla and Joel Get Married in Mexico: Villa la Joya Riviera Maya Real Wedding Inspiration

A “pretty in pastel pink” family wedding at Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen. Zayla and Joel brought their nearest and dearest to celebrate their love with a fun and fabulous destination wedding in Mexico. Moving, meaningful and oh so magical, get ready for some real wedding inspiration in Riviera Maya with this lovely newlywed couple from Canada.

Elegant wedding ceremony at Villa la Joya: Zayla and Joel say “I do”

Bride Zayla wore an elegant strapless bridal gown with a glorious long veil cascading from her class bridal updo, absolutely beautiful. Groom Joel looked sharp by her side in his formal tuxedo with a white dinner jacket. Family and friends were invited to dress in "Formal and Festive" attire, resulting in a fun, vibrant, and fresh color palette.

The couple were showered with the love of family and friends as they exchanged vows on the steps of Villa la Joya. We loved the ceremony set-up with glorious pink and pastel florals on pillars of white by Pri Ola!

Why choose Mexico for your destination wedding?

Hearing from “real brides” who have chosen Mexico for their destination wedding is one of the best ways for you to decide if it is the choice for you and your loved ones. Getting away from the cold is always a top answer for our Canadian friends from up north. 

We chose Mexico to escape the cold winters of Canada and to share several special days with our loved ones, rather than just one. Choosing Mexico allowed us to spend a week with friends and family at a resort, while also hosting our dream wedding off the resort for a day. It was the best decision we could have made!

What made you decide on a Villa La Joya Riviera Maya wedding?

Zayla & Joel found our Riviera Maya wedding venue at Villa la Joya on wedinspire.com and we are so happy they did! It was a real pleasure to meet this charming couple and host their warm and welcoming wedding in Mexico. 

Villa La Joya is a picturesque venue for a wedding. Additionally, it allowed us to offer our guests an experience outside of the typical all-inclusive resort setting. While resort weddings are fantastic, we wanted to break away from the routine and take our guests somewhere memorable. Choosing Villa La Joya allowed us to express our appreciation to our loved ones and experience our wedding in a truly special and meaningful way. 

What was your favorite moment of your Villa la Joya Riviera Maya wedding day?

For the Bride:

Starting the day at the Villa La Joya condo was pure bliss – the calm before the beautiful storm! But nothing could top the emotions when saw Joel at the altar, exchanging our vows, laughing, and crying. That, and dancing the night away with our favorite people!

For the Groom:

Deciding to forego a first look and see each other for the first time down the aisle added to the magic of our wedding. Enjoying incredible food and later dancing in the open air with our loved ones was the pinnacle of the day!

Celebration time! Riviera Maya wedding reception at Villa la Joya

After the elegant and moving ceremony, Zayla and Joel brought their guests to the seaside gardens of Villa la Joya for a wedding reception full of laughter and smiles. Great food from Gourmet Soberanis, a mariachi serenade, and a light-up dance floor that glowed as everyone danced the night away and toasted the newlyweds. 

Advice for brides planning a destination wedding in the Riviera Maya?

Bride Zayla is now “Newlywed Zayla” and she was kind enough to share her best advice to future destination wedding brides and grooms. These are priceless recommendations from someone who has lived the experience!

A few things:

1. Hire a wonderful planner. Working with Mango Weddings was the best decision we made. They were professional, understood our vision, and handled every detail flawlessly.

2. Spend the morning with your closest people. It's an intimate time, so give yourself plenty of time to savor the moment, enjoy mimosas, and allow ample time for hair and makeup.

3. Stay true to yourselves. As a couple, many people will offer their opinions. Remember, it's your day to celebrate with the people you love, so do it in a way that feels authentic to you as a couple!

Gratitude and love to Zayla and Joel from all of us at Villa la Joya Riviera Maya

We had such a wonderful time hosting the destination wedding of Zayla and Joel, we send you both much love and gratitude from all of us at Villa la Joya Riviera Maya. We are grateful to have been invited to share in your family wedding celebration and we wish you all the best for a long and happy lifetime of love together! 

Riviera Maya wedding vendor love: We couldn’t do it without you!

We are so fortunate to work with the best wedding vendors in the Riviera Maya. Every wedding at Villa la Joya Riviera Maya is unique and these vendors are creative professionals who always exceed the expectations of our brides and grooms. We thank you and we adore you and we are so grateful for all your dedication to romance! 

And hey, remember lovebirds, there are NEVER any vendor fees at your Riviera Maya wedding at Villa la Joya! Contact us today at Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen and let’s start making your destination wedding dreams come true. 

Planning. Mango Weddings | Photo. Gerardo Rodriguez Photography | Video. Arnol Guillen Films | Glam. Gamaliel Alvarez & Alellamas Makeup | Florals. Pri Ola | Rentals. Velvet Events Design | Catering. Gourmet Soberanis & Tablas y Vino La Española | Cake. Lali Pasteles | DJ. Sonner MX

Real Destination Wedding in Playa del Carmen: Gillian and Alystair

Real Destination Wedding in Playa del Carmen: Gillian and Alystair

We have a delicious, luscious, divine real destination wedding for you today! Gillian and Alystair joined together in marriage in the gardens of Villa la Joya in a fantastic celebration of amor. They brought their loved ones together for the first time for a Texas/England gathering of friends and family to toast the newlyweds on this exciting new chapter of their lives. 

Love knows no borders: This romantic story needs a map and we are living for it

Ali and I met while we were both working in the British Virgin Islands- we met at a Day of the Dead themed Halloween party where he was dressed like Harry Potter… a few months after dating we moved to England together, then to the United States where we had our *first wedding* in Puerto Rico.

With an introduction like this, we were eager to get to know Gillian and Alystair and welcome their adventurous energy to Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen for a fabulous seaside wedding.

Why choose Mexico for your destination wedding?

Why is Mexico the best place for a destination wedding? A million reasons of course, the frequent flights from around the world to the Cancun International Airport, the spectacular views of the Mexican Caribbean, the tropical weather, the warm and welcoming Mexican hospitality, the world-class wedding venues and vendors, oh my! We asked Gillian why they chose a wedding in Playa del Carmen, Mexico:

Our families had never met and with all of Ali’s family being in England, and mine in Texas, we wanted to figure out a place where everyone could get to easily and enjoy their times on their own vacation, Cancun was an easy choice!

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

Being very event oriented I knew I wanted a blank canvas for our wedding and you just can’t get that at most resorts in the area. I looked at several venues towards Tulum, but ultimately decided that it would be too far for guests. In addition, I also fell in love with the Team that ran Villa La Joya. Enrique is an amazing person and will always be someone I stay in communication with for years to come. 

A special shout out to Enrique from bride Gillian, we are so grateful to have such an amazing team at Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen! Communication with our brides and grooms is absolutely essential to the wedding planning process and we are really blessed to make new friends along the way.

What was your destination wedding theme or inspiration?

When we decided to have a second wedding so our families could meet we wanted to pick a date very close to the original wedding date and March 17th, St. Patricks Day was available at Villa La Joya. My father had passed the December before and his absolute favorite color on my sister and I was green. So it just felt right to have a green-centric wedding in the sense of floral and decor. 

The wedding ceremony on the steps of Villa la Joya was such a gorgeous blend of formal elegance and lush jungle greens. Bride Gillian wore a stunning bridal gown, lace veil, and full train and her bridal bouquet of white florals and green grasses was just wow! New husband Ali was dashingly handsome in his traditional, formal black tuxedo. The smiles on the newlyweds' faces as they came down the aisle, were totally priceless.

Destination wedding reception dreams come true

My florist, Luis Sales, took my vision of wild, overgrown moss like arrangements and made it all come together. The moss lamps are my favorite thing ever. He had sent me a photo of some arrangements the night before and it's what made me go to sleep feeling SO excited for our wedding day. 

The florals for this Villa la Joya wedding reception were truly outstanding and totally unique! The vision of the bride was brought to life by the creative genius of Luis Sales, just look at these moss lamps and centerpieces! 

The wedding cake was another unique creation, a white sheet with oodles and oodles and oodles of strawberries. Berry delicious and eye-catching! With funny and moving toasts, a fabulous dinner, and a whole lot of action on the dance floor, newlyweds Gillian and Ali shared their wedding reception with the people they love in an unforgettable evening.

What was your favorite moment of your Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen wedding day?

My absolute favorite, and Ali’s I believe, was when his best friends were able to take over our DJ’s setup. They’d been asking for months and I thought no way our DJ would allow it, and he did! Our friend Caleb is a very talented DJ and always plays every party so having that was a lil slice of home for my husband.

Anything you would have done differently in planning your destination wedding? Advice for future couples?

I would have started our wedding earlier! The time flew by so quickly from 6 to 11. My initial worry was guests being too hot, and they might have been if we started earlier, but I would have liked one more hour!

Soak it all in and let go that day! Some logistical advice- think about your makeup, Mexico is very humid. So much so that my makeup was gone 15 min into photos and I barely wore any for the actual wedding.

Big thanks and all of our best wishes to Gillian and Ali

We are delighted to have met you both and to have hosted the marvelous union of your international families at your destination wedding in Mexico. Enrique sends his “holas” and all of us at Villa la Joya wish you both a lifetime of joy and happiness together. 

As always, we extend our gratitude to the world-class wedding vendors in Playa del Carmen who make all our Villa la Joya weddings so very unique and special. We couldn't do it without you! And did you know? There are never any outside vendor fees at Villa la Joya Playa del Carmen! Save your pesos for the fun stuff. Contact us today to start planning your own destination wedding in Mexico! 

Design: Kathie Kessler | Photo & Video: Pink Balance Weddings | Hair + Make Up: I Do Forever | Florist: Luis Salas Floral Experience | Rentals: Archive Rentals | Catering: YD Events by Yazmin Del La Mora | DJ: UNO Audiovisual