Planning Your Jewish Wedding at Villa La Joya
When you close your eyes and picture a Jewish destination wedding, what do you see? Maybe it’s a chuppah draped in white linen fluttering against a turquoise ocean backdrop. Maybe it’s the sound of the glass breaking, followed immediately by the roar of the waves and "Siman Tov U’Mazal Tov" played by a mariachi band. If this is the dream, there is one venue in the Riviera Maya that stands head and shoulders above the rest for making it a reality: Villa La Joya.
As a photographer who has captured countless love stories in Cancun and Playa del Carmen, I often see couples struggle with the limitations of big all-inclusive resorts. They want a traditional Jewish ceremony with a kosher meal, but the resort’s "cookie-cutter" packages just can’t accommodate the specific logistical needs of the tisch, the bedeken, or a custom kosher menu. This is where Villa La Joya shines. It is a private, exclusive-use villa that gives you total freedom to bring in your own vendors, meaning you don’t have to compromise on tradition or luxury. Here is my guide to planning a Jewish wedding at this stunning venue that honors your heritage while embracing the tropical vibe.
The Perfect Spot for Your Chuppah
The chuppah is the focal point of the Jewish ceremony, symbolizing the home you will build together. At most resorts, you are stuck with whatever gazebo they have on-site. At Villa La Joya, the world is your oyster. The villa’s architecture is grand and European-inspired, offering a sophisticated backdrop that feels more like a Lake Como estate than a typical beach hut. Most of my couples choose to set up their chuppah on the villa’s expansive garden lawn, right at the edge of the sea. This offers the best of both worlds: you get the stunning ocean view without your guests having to trudge through deep sand in their heels.
From a photography perspective, the lighting here is a dream. If you position the chuppah facing the ocean, we can time your ceremony so the sun is softening behind you, creating that ethereal, glowing look that makes for incredible photos. Because the villa is private, you won't have random tourists in swimsuits wandering into the background of your sacred vows. It is just you, your family, and the open horizon. I always recommend working with a florist who understands the structural needs of a chuppah—it needs to be sturdy enough to withstand the ocean breeze while looking delicate enough for your photos.
Logistics of the Bedeken and Tisch
One of the most emotional parts of a Jewish wedding is the bedeken (veiling ceremony) and the tisch (groom's reception). These rituals require separate spaces before the main ceremony, which can be a logistical nightmare in a crowded hotel lobby. Villa La Joya is laid out perfectly for this flow. The groom can host his tisch on the lower patio or in a shaded garden corner, singing and toasting with his groomsmen, while the bride gets ready in the luxurious upstairs bridal suite.
For the bedeken itself, the villa’s grand staircase or the upper balcony are show-stopping locations. I love photographing the moment the groom walks up to see his bride for the first time; the architecture of the villa adds a sense of grandeur and timelessness to the images. Because you have the entire property to yourselves, we can orchestrate this "first look" in complete privacy. There is no rushing because there won’t be another wedding scheduled right after yours. You can take your time, cry the happy tears, and soak in the weight of the moment before heading down to the chuppah.
Kosher Catering in Mexico
Food is central to Jewish culture, and for many families, keeping kosher is non-negotiable. This is often the biggest hurdle at destination weddings. Most all-inclusive resorts have strict rules against outside food, forcing you to use their non-kosher kitchens or pay exorbitant fees for "kosher-style" meals that might not meet strict Orthodox standards. Villa La Joya has no vendor restrictions. This is a game-changer. You are free to hire any of the fantastic kosher caterers available in the Cancun and Playa del Carmen area, such as The Ember or Kosher Catering Gourmet.
This flexibility allows you to craft a menu that is authentic and delicious. Imagine a cocktail hour with kosher margaritas and ceviche, followed by a reception dinner that adheres to kashrut laws but still features fresh, local Mexican flavors. As a destination wedding photographer in Cancun, I have seen how much happier guests are when the food is high-quality and safe for them to eat. Plus, since you aren't locked into a package, you can bring in a kosher cake baker or specialty desserts without a penalty fee.
The Saturday Night Sunset Dilemma
If you are planning a traditional Jewish wedding, you likely know that you cannot marry on Shabbat (Friday night to Saturday sundown). This leads many couples to choose a Sunday wedding or a Saturday night ceremony after Havdalah. In Mexico, sunset is relatively early year-round (usually between 5:30 PM and 7:30 PM depending on the season). If you wait until full darkness on a Saturday to start your ceremony, you will miss the natural light for your portraits.
My advice? Consider a Sunday wedding if you want those golden hour, sun-drenched photos. This allows us to schedule the ceremony about an hour before sunset, giving us perfect light for the chuppah and family portraits immediately after. If a Saturday night is a must, we can get creative. We can do a "first look" and couple portraits before Shabbat begins on Friday (if you are comfortable seeing each other), or we can embrace the dark! Villa La Joya looks spectacular at night with bistro lights strung over the pool and candles lining the walkways.
The Hora: Party Like No One is Watching
No Jewish destination wedding is complete without the Hora. I have seen some wild Horas in my time, but there is something special about doing it under the open sky with the Caribbean breeze cooling you down. The pool terrace at Villa La Joya is the ideal spot for the reception. It is spacious, paved (so chairs don’t sink into the grass while lifting you!), and surrounds a beautiful pool that reflects the party lights.
Safety is key here—lifting chairs on a dance floor can be precarious, so I always make sure to capture the action with a wide lens from a safe distance before getting into the mix for close-ups. The energy of the Hora is unmatched, and I love freezing those expressions of sheer terror and joy on the couple's faces as they are hoisted into the air. If you want to see how I capture these high-energy candid moments, check out my About page. It’s all about anticipating the chaos and finding the beauty in it.
Bringing Tradition to Paradise
Your wedding should be a reflection of who you are, blending your rich heritage with the relaxed, tropical vibe you fell in love with. Villa La Joya offers the canvas to paint that picture exactly how you want it, without the red tape of a corporate resort. Whether you are Reform, Conservative, or Orthodox, you can create a day that feels sacred, personal, and incredibly fun.
If you are planning a Jewish wedding in the Riviera Maya and need a photographer who understands the flow of the bedeken, the importance of the chuppah, and how to stay out of the way during the Hora, I would love to be there for you.
Wedding Planner: @camelliadestinationweddings
Venue: @Villalajoya
Makeup & hair: @sandracarolinamakeup
Makeup & hair: @hellobeautymx
Catering: @chefcristianmorales
DJ: @robertfirth
Audio: @unoaudiovisualsdj
Live music: @musharpsentertainment
Sax: @michaelsaxtrumpet
Entertainment: @drumsinparadise
Florals & rentals: @anhexobodas
Dancefloor: @hercon.entertainment
Photobooth: @picme_photobooth