Playa del Carmen · Venue guide
Villa La Joya
Oceanfront private villa between Playa del Carmen and Puerto Aventuras - a Riviera Maya classic for full-weekend weddings.
Villa La Joya is the private-villa wedding of the Riviera Maya: an oceanfront estate at Playa del Secreto, north of Playa del Carmen, that couples rent outright — no resort guests in the background, no hotel restrictions on timing, and the freedom to celebrate the whole weekend. It is one of the venues we have photographed most, and every corner of it is mapped in our heads.
Because the villa is truly private, the photography flows differently than at a resort: we can shoot the getting ready in the residence, use the grand interior staircase for portraits, and stay on the beachfront lawn straight through sunset without sharing it with anyone. If a full-weekend celebration is your plan, this is the venue where a rehearsal-dinner add-on makes the most sense.
Where to say “I do” — and how each spot photographs
Beach
Open Caribbean background with full sun and wind exposure. The water is on the sunrise side, so sunset falls inland rather than over the sea.
Seaside Garden
Ocean backdrop without putting the ceremony in sand. The open lawn gives clean sightlines but is still exposed to sun, wind and weather.
A photo timeline that works here
Based on a winter ceremony (sunset ≈ 6 pm). I adjust it to your date and your venue coordinator's schedule.
- 2:00 pm
- Getting ready — details, dress, final touches of makeup
- 3:15 pm
- Bride portraits and first look
- 4:00 pm
- Ceremony
- 4:40 pm
- Family and group photos, right where the ceremony ends
- 5:10 pm
- Couple session in the golden hour
- 6:15 pm
- Reception entrance and first dance
- 8:00 pm
- Open dance floor, toasts and party
First look — yes or no?
Yes — La Joya was made for it. The villa’s shaded courtyard gives soft, even light in the early afternoon, and a first look here means the two of you get the beachfront lawn all to yourselves for portraits before the ceremony, leaving the golden hour free for the shots with drama.
Logistics worth knowing
Villa La Joya is just north of Playa del Carmen; the venue describes it as about 30 minutes south of Cancun. Vendor setup can start at 7:00 a.m. At a February wedding here, getting ready happened in the VLJ condo before portraits inside and around the villa.
Vendor rules at Villa La Joya
- Outside photographers: Accepted
- Outside service providers are allowed. Vendor setup can begin at 7:00 a.m. on the event date. The main villa is not generally open during the event; interior photography is limited and carries an additional fee.
- These rules belong to the villa, not to me. The villa sets the fee, charges it and changes it, often from one season to the next and sometimes from one wedding to the next, so I do not publish an amount here: any number you find online is already out of date for your date. Ask your wedding coordinator at the villa to confirm it in writing, and ask early: it is a real line in the budget. It is also worth asking whether there is any flexibility. Some venues waive or reduce the fee, often when the vendor team books rooms for a few nights or when the wedding is booked through certain agencies, and plenty of couples never find out because they never ask.
- Tell me about your wedding →
The light here
Use the final 45 to 60 minutes before sunset for portraits. In Nov-Feb that is roughly 5:10-6:25 p.m.; in Jun-Aug roughly 6:25-7:30 p.m., adjusted to the exact date. The beach is on the Caribbean side, so the setting sun is behind the property, not over the water.
Real weddings at Villa La Joya
Questions couples ask about Villa La Joya
Can we bring our own photographer?
Yes, and that is one of the reasons couples choose it: Villa La Joya is a private villa rather than a resort, and it does not restrict your choice of service providers. Whether any vendor charge applies to your contract is still the villa's call, not ours, so have your coordinator confirm it in writing for your date.
Can we take portraits inside the villa?
Yes, for a limited time and for an additional fee. The villa itself is not generally open for use throughout the event.
How early can the photography team arrive?
The venue says vendor setup can begin at 7:00 a.m. on the event date.
How many guests can Villa La Joya accommodate?
The venue currently lists weddings for up to 200 guests.
How much does a wedding photographer cost at Villa La Joya?
Experienced destination wedding photographers in this area generally run from about $3,000 to $8,000 USD for the wedding day, and more for multi-day celebrations with film. Most couples marrying at Villa La Joya book 6-8 hours, so the coverage reaches from getting ready to the party. Travel to this venue is included or minimal, we are local. To see where I would begin for your date, the collections live at /pricing/.
From the journal
- Why Villa La Joya is the Perfect Wedding Venue in Mexico
Planning a wedding is one of the most exciting journeys a couple can embark on, and choosing the right venue is essential to making your dream wedding a reality. Nestled in the heart of the Riviera Maya, Villa La Joya …
- Weddings at Villa La Joya: A magical experience in Cancun
One of the most extraordinary places I have ever photographed is Villa La Joya in Cancun, Mexico. Weddings at Villa La Joya are an excellent alternative for couples looking for an intimate and magical place to celebrate their special day. …
Getting married at Villa La Joya?
I've photographed here — I know the light, the spots and the rules.