Phoebe and Tomasz’s story did not begin with a first date, a chance encounter, or a swipe. It began years earlier, quietly, through shared friendships that connected their lives long before they ever connected with each other.

Phoebe had been best friends with Emily since high school. Tomasz had built a close friendship with Juan during college. Their worlds overlapped for years, circling the same people, the same milestones, and the same celebrations, without ever quite colliding.

Everything changed in 2022, at Emily and Juan’s wedding. That day, Phoebe and Tomasz were paired together to walk down the aisle. It was the first time they truly saw each other.

“We had technically known of each other for years, but that walk down the aisle was the first time the spark finally hit,” Phoebe shared.

“That was where the love connection truly began.”

From that moment on, the timing was finally right.

Why They Chose a Destination Wedding in Mexico

Mexico had always held a special place in Phoebe and Tomasz’s hearts. As true beach people, they wanted a setting that felt beautiful, relaxed, and full of warmth — not just for themselves, but for everyone they love.

“We’ve always loved Mexico,” Phoebe explained.

“And since we’re total beach people, we knew we wanted to get married somewhere beautiful and coastal.”

A destination wedding also gave their friends and family the perfect excuse to slow down, travel together, and celebrate in a meaningful way.

“We wanted a destination wedding so our friends and family would have the perfect excuse to take a vacation together — and celebrate with us in a place we all love.”

Falling in Love with Villa la Joya

Phoebe first discovered Villa la Joya on TikTok, after watching another bride’s wedding unfold at the villa. The moment she saw it, she knew.

“I discovered Villa la Joya on TikTok through another bride who got married there, and I fell in love with it instantly,” she said.

That feeling only deepened after their first conversation with the Villa Planners team.

“After our first phone call with Mike, we knew we were in good hands and that this was meant to be.”

Choosing Villa Planners felt like the natural next step.

“We chose Villa Planners because they know Villa la Joya better than anyone — they’re in-house, and we trusted their expertise completely.”

A Wedding Day Full of Meaningful Moments

While the entire celebration was unforgettable, Phoebe’s favorite moments were the quiet, emotional ones.

“My favorite moments of the night were our private vows and first look — having that quiet moment together meant so much,” she shared.

Another deeply emotional highlight came during her first look with her dad.

“Seeing him so choked up is something I’ll never forget.”

One of the most meaningful details of the ceremony was having Emily and Juan officiate — the very couple who brought Phoebe and Tomasz together.

“Having Emily and Juan officiate us was so special, especially since they’re the couple who brought us together.”

Later in the evening, Phoebe paused to take it all in.

“I loved taking a moment during dinner to look out at all our friends and family and really feel the love.”

The celebration continued with surprise fireworks, a first dance made extra fun thanks to dance lessons, and hours of nonstop dancing.

“Honestly — I didn’t sit down once,” Phoebe laughed.

“Dancing with everyone all night was pure joy.”

Wedding Style & Design

Phoebe envisioned a look that felt timeless and refined.

“I wanted a simple, clean, and classy vibe,” she said.

Butter-yellow bridesmaid dresses brought warmth to the palette, paired with classic tuxes. White and green florals completed the look, perfectly complementing Villa la Joya’s oceanfront setting.