Keya and Abel celebrated their wedding in the Riviera Maya at Villa la Joya, a destination that perfectly reflects their vision. Having first met as children in church, their relationship grew into a deep friendship and, eventually, a lifelong partnership. From a surprise rooftop proposal to their dream wedding in Mexico, this is a love story for the romantics.

A Riviera Maya Wedding Venue That Felt Like Home

Mexico was the natural choice for Keya and Abel’s wedding. It was the first destination they had traveled to as a couple, and its vibrant beauty has kept them coming back. The couple envisioned a private, intimate celebration with their closest friends and family.

We chose Villa La Joya after months of searching for a venue and realizing we didn’t want to have it at a hotel. We were looking for a place that was beautiful, chic, and private. I came across the Villa La Joya Instagram page and when I saw the pictures, I instantly knew. I showed my now husband and he fell in love too! - Keya

Choosing Our Riviera Maya Wedding Coordinators Villa Planners

We then searched for wedding planners and spoke to a few but after speaking with Adriana at Villa Planners, I knew that was the right choice. She had experience working with a lot of the vendors and had experience with many weddings at the Villa.

And more importantly, she made me feel comfortable and she continued to be such a great planner the entire way through. The whole team is so wonderful and I cannot thank them enough. Special shoutout to Adri, Enrique, and Nancy for making sure the day went by smoothly.

Tradition Meets Timeless Elegance

Keya incorporated her heritage beautifully into the day by wearing two distinct dresses. Her first dress, an intricate design she discovered during a family trip to Istanbul, was customized to perfection.

Her second dress, a traditional Ethiopian habesha kemis, reflected her culture and was a heartfelt gift from her aunt.

It was important to us to incorporate our culture into our big day in different ways so my second dress was custom made for me in my home country of Ethiopia. It is a traditional Ethiopian dress that we call “habesha kemis”. My aunt had it made and brought it with her to the United States a few weeks before my wedding and it was beautiful to see how happy it made our family and friends.

The couple chose a classic theme with white and green florals to highlight Villa la Joya’s lush surroundings. Long tables adorned with chandeliers and candlelight created a warm, intimate atmosphere that allowed the natural beauty of the venue to shine.

Moments to Cherish

One of the most special parts of the day was Keya and Abel’s private vow exchange. Away from the crowd, they shared heartfelt promises, creating a deeply personal moment to treasure forever.

The day wasn’t without its lighthearted moments, either - when the flower girl accidentally unplugged the DJ and lights right before the first dance, the couple couldn’t help but laugh, making it a memory they’ll always look back on fondly.

Advice for Destination Wedding Brides

Keya’s advice for other brides planning a destination wedding in Mexico is simple: start early and work with trusted vendors. “Planning ahead helps avoid stress, and choosing the right team makes all the difference,” she shared. Her final piece of wisdom? “No matter what happens, enjoy every moment - it’s the imperfections that often become the most memorable stories.”

Gratitude from Villa Planners Riviera Maya

The team at Villa Planners Riviera Maya is so grateful to Keya and Abel for inviting us to be a part of your big day. We thank you and we wish you both a fabulous lifetime of joy together.

We also would like to thank all the incredible Riviera Maya wedding vendors who helped make this day so special. Creative and professional, we couldn’t do it without you, gracias amigos.

Talk to us about planning your own Riviera Maya wedding in Mexico

Contact Villa Planners today to schedule a video call and let’s get planning the destination wedding of your dreams.

Keya and Abel’s Wedding at Villa la Joya: Romance and Culture