Dubrovnik Wedding Guide for 2025

Among all the most popular Croatian wedding destinations, Dubrovnik stands out as the Pearl of the Adriatic. Despite being small, Dubrovnik is a place open to all cultures both through history and in modern times. With its well-established wedding industry, wide range of wedding venues, historic heritage and magnificent views you can easily plan the wedding of your dreams.

Rich history

UNESCO listed World Heritage Site

The competition may be tight, but the Old City of Dubrovnik is undoubtedly one of the absolute top sites in Croatia to visit. It is among the best-preserved medieval cities globally, and the old town showcases the beauty of Croatian culture where the city walls can be enjoyed all year round. Moreover, it's arguably also one of the world's most beautiful UNESCO World Heritage cities.

Rich culture and stunning architecture

This once-powerful medieval city-state lies in the gorgeous exclave of Croatia, far at the southern end of the country where the weather is warm throughout the whole summer and the Adriatic Sea is balmy until November. It's surrounded by muscular walls and anchors on an Old City area filled with churches, fountains, and enchanting cobbled lanes.

So called 'Pearl of the Adriatic' became an important Mediterranean sea power from the 13th century onwards. Although severely damaged by an earthquake in 1667, Dubrovnik managed to preserve its beautiful Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque churches, monasteries, palaces, and fountains. Damaged again in the 1990s by armed conflict, it is now the focus of a major restoration programme co-ordinated by UNESCO.

Modern times

More than that, Dubrovnik is now riding high since its role in the hit HBO series Game of Thrones. And for many film enthusiasts, it's one of the most popular jump-off points for getting to the famous islands of south Croatia, including the unique beauty of Mljet and the divine pebble coves of Korčula.

Various wedding venues

Whether you want a big or small or big wedding, religious or civil ceremony, pop-up or micro wedding, or plan a romantic wedding elopement, there are plenty of unique wedding venues in Dubrovnik, each of them special and romantic. Numerous churches, monasteries, palaces and squares are a frequent choice of newlyweds for an unforgettable wedding experience in Dubrovnik.

However unique wedding venues in Dubrovnik are not limited to the Old City. Dubrovnik's waterfront and countryside are abound in fine restaurants, beautiful nature, iconic beaches, unforgettable vistas, and various splendid locations. Many of them make sensational wedding venues.

Celebrities love Dubrovnik

Many famous people, including Beyonce, Naomi Campbell, Kevin Spacey, Tom Cruise, Morgan Freeman, Tina Turner, David Beckham, Ronaldo and others, love spending their vacations in Dubrovnik. Impressed by the beauty of Dubrovnik, they continue to travel to this stunning jewel of Croatia to sail and go rafting in the Mediterranean Sea.

Amazing hospitality

The Dubrovnik people are known for their hospitality and extreme welcoming as one of the most popular tourist destinations in Croatia. Making it ideal choice for brides and grooms who want both amazing venues and service for their wedding celebration.

Furthermore, a wedding planner in Dubrovnik can make whole experience stressless since they are the are the ones who will be on the phones, busy with all the organization, so you can just relax and enjoy your special day. While you are guaranteed a proven quality of a verified network of local vendors (photographers, florists, catering, wedding décor ,musicians, technical staff…).

Ideal place for a romantic weekend or a honeymoon

Dubrovnik is also a prime honeymoon destination. Once you're done with the preparations of your wedding day, you could continue your honeymoon in Dubrovnik and visit other parts of Croatia to broader your memories.

City that never sleeps

Although there are many festivals and manifestations held in Dubrovnik, the Dubrovnik Summer Festival is the most well-known. Every summer, under a starry sky, the world's best artists perform on the festival's unique ambient stages. This festival, which runs from the middle of July until the end of August characterizes the vibe of the city through theater, music, literature, opera, and ballet performances.

What should you know about Dubrovnik, Croatia?

Dubrovnik is located on very south of Croatia, reachable both by cars and its airport (DBV) located in nearby Čilipi. Since January 1st 2023, Croatia is part of Schengen area and part the Eurozone, making ifs official currency Euro and visiting much simpler. The official language is Croatian, however most people speak English, especially young and those in the tourist industry.

Hot to get to Dubrovnik

Given its location on the very south, it is connected to the rest of the country with a network of highways and Pelješac Bridge. However, for anyone coming from the Croatian capital, Zagreb, or the countries from north, given the distance to cross the Croatia by length and the often summer congestions on the highways, as well as how city gets busy during the summer, going by car is not a recommended option.

For most European travellers, the more accessible option will be flying in through the Dubrovnik (DBV) Airport, located 20 km away from the Old City center. Which is about 30 minute ride by bus or taxi.

Best time to visit Dubrovnik

The best time to plan destination wedding in Dubrovnik is during the spring (May to June) or early fall (middle of August through October). The high tourist season in Dubrovnik typically occurs during the summer months (July and August), so planning your wedding outside of this period can offer a more peaceful and less crowded experience. Those are also the times of the year when temperatures are more pleasant.

Since Dubrovnik experiences more than 250 sunny days annually, there is minimal danger of rain even outsides of the peak summer periods. However, since no one can predict the weather, you should always have an alternate plan in case of adverse weather conditions. Most venues and wedding organizers will plan for those as well.

How to get married in Croatia?

A lot of people dream about having a beautiful destination wedding, but most of them quickly push that idea into the corner, thinking it's too complicated and too hard to plan a destination wedding. Well, we are here to tell you that's not true. And Dubrovnik is worth the effort, trust us!

Civil Ceremony

Civil ceremonies are the only legally-recognized form of marriage ceremony in Croatia. A Croatian civil ceremony takes approximately 20 minutes and is conducted in Croatian, the official language of Croatia. If one or both members of the couple do not speak Croatian, a court-appointed translator will also be present at the ceremony. They will translate the ceremony from Croatian into English or whatever language you prefer. Depending on your choice, the ceremony and reception can be performed in historic venues or vast range of stunning outdoor locations.

Legal requirements for civil wedding

If you have made the decision to tie the knot through a civil ceremony, there are a few steps you and your partner should take:

• Select the date and venue for the ceremony
• Gather all required documents
• Discuss and finalize your new surnames, if any
• Pick out two witnesses to stand by your side during the ceremony.

In Croatia, you can officially get married under the following conditions:

• Need to be over the age of 18 having legal capacity
• Cannot be blood relatives
• Not married

There are no residency requirements to get married in Croatia, which means you don't need to be a Croatian citizen or resident. Since Croatia is part of the European Union, weddings in Dubrovnik are recognised throughout the EU and also valid worldwide.

Paperwork needed to get married in Croatia

The paperwork required for a legal ceremony in Croatia will depend on your nationality and we highly recommend hiring an experienced wedding planner to help out in this matter. Most websites have incomplete information and some documents are country specific so don't rely too much on online sources. Best way to be sure is to inquire the local registry office. Your wedding planner will be able to advise and help with this.

Documents you will surely need:

• Couple passport copies
• Birth certificates (not older than 3 months)
• Certificate of non-impediment
• Names and passport coopies of two witnesses

We recommend you start preparing the paperwork for the wedding at least three months in advance, as some documents might take times to be issued by your local government and there is additional time needed to do translations before submitting them.

Digital copies of the required documents must be provided via email 40 days in advance. The original documents you need to bring with you to Dubrovnik for the ceremony. While you shoud plan to arrive to Dubrovnik at least two working days before the wedding day, to meet with the registrar or priest and finalize your paperwork.

Duration of the wedding ceremony

The civil ceremony consists of paperwork, a speech by a registry office official, the exchange of rings, a kiss, congratulations for the newlyweds, and the capturing of photographs and videos. This ceremony takes somewhere between 15 to 30 minutes. While the duration of the ceremony in church lasts from 30 to 45 minutes.

Language requirements

While Croatian law mandates common wedding sentences to be included in the civil ceremony, you have the freedom to add your personal promises while exchanging vows. The civil ceremony, conducted in Croatian, will be translated into your native language by a court interpreter, provided as part of your wedding package.

The religious ceremony conducted in the church, if the priest is available, can be in English.

Finally, symbolic weddings are also quite popular, as they allow the couples to handle the legal part of the paperwork ahead of time (either in Dubrovnik, or in your own country) and fully customize ceremony both in how long it takes and the language of choice.

What time is the ceremony

The church ceremony can occur at any time, whereas the weekday civil ceremony begins at 4 PM, but it can be later if the newlyweds prefer. Both ceremonies can take place at any time during the weekend.

Other wedding ceremony options

Religious wedding

The religious ceremony is all about being married in front of God, while a civil ceremony is about being married by the law. For those who decide to get Catholic Wedding in Dubrovnik there is one big advantage – they will have a large selection of beautiful churches and cathedrals for their dream wedding because majority of Croatian citizens are Roman Catholics.

Furthermore Priest to conduct your wedding ceremony in English, which will usually consist of a full mass of 45 minutes. Depending on preference, couples can also have a civil marriage alongside their religious church wedding ceremony in Croatia.

Church wedding in Croatia are equal to the ones in your country. You should contact your Parish office for these documents:

• Birth & Baptismal certificate
• Certificate of free marital status (Certificat de Coutume)
• Confirmation certificate.

Also, you are supposed to attend a Marriage preparation course. Afterwards it is necessary that your pastor with you fills up the Marriage Preparation Form. All the documents have to be verified/legalized by your pastor and obtaining a stamp Nihil Obstat. The stamp proves that there are no obstacles for your wedding.

Symbolic wedding

A symbolic wedding can look and feel just like a regular wedding ceremony where you say your vows, exchange rings and even sign an artificial wedding certificate – but it's not legally binding. Since there are no rules, you can incorporate any cultural traditions or personalized touches into your ceremony.

It's all about what you prefer and are comfortable with!

Multi-day wedding

A single day may be too short to live a truly unforgettable experience, especially for destination weddings. By prolonging your celebration over multiple days you can put together a variety of events and activities to make the destination wedding an endlessly fun and fascinating trip. This way more guests, especially those coming from abroad or with children, will be able to attend the event.

Welcome Party is Everything

As the name suggests, a welcome party is a prewedding event intended to kick off the wedding weekend. A day or two before the wedding you can host an event to welcome your guests and it can take many forms: a cocktails-only, an open-house-style celebration, a dessert party or a traditional rehearsal dinner. Hosting a welcome party is an opportunity to come together in a relaxed atmosphere. In addition to being able to personally greet your guests as they arrive, you'll also have a chance to introduce people who perhaps haven't met before now.

This less formal gathering can foster wonderful ties between guests that will be very helpful on the actual wedding day.

No longer having to decide between a wedding and eloping

Elopement weddings have been a real hit in the wedding industry for the last two or three years, but not every couple who dreams of elopement knows for sure that it is the right decision for them. Some couples are truly torn between eloping and celebrating their wedding with their closest family and friends. They don't want to get married without the most important people in their lives with them, but they also want to have some time just for the two of them. This is where multi-day celebrations can be the perfect solution. One day everyone comes together, and on another day the couple has a day just for them.

Post-Wedding Brunch

A postwedding brunch is an event that typically happens the morning after the wedding at the end of the wedding weekend. It is the perfect way to end a magical weekend and exchange greetings and thanks with all your guests before heading off on your honeymoon. Since the wedding reception has a lot going on, it's difficult to have meaningful conversations with everyone you invited. That's why we love the idea of hosting a postwedding brunch!

After all, how you choose to celebrate and spend time with your guests is entirely up to you! Decide as a couple what events you would like to host for your guests and which you don't need. No matter what you decide, remember your wedding celebration is about you and your significant other.

How much does a wedding in Dubrovnik cost?

Unique wedding venues in Dubrovnik are not limited to the Old City. Dubrovnik's waterfront and countryside abound with fine restaurants, beautiful nature, iconic beaches, unforgettable vistas, and various splendid locations. Many of them make sensational wedding venues.

This allows a broad range of pricing for wedding venues, but we can assure you that with our assistance, you will select a stunning venue that fits your budget.

Let's take a closer look at how much it costs to have a wedding in Dubrovnik.

Venue costs

The price might vary depending on the venue type, location, and season. A heritage site, a luxury resort, or a high-end villa can cost upwards of 500 euros per day, while a more modest hotel or beachfront restaurant might cost around 10 000 euros per day.

You can find some common choices along with the base associated costs on our venues page (link).

Food and beverage costs

Dubrovnik is famous for its Mediterranean cuisine, which includes fresh seafood, olive oil, grilled vegetables and meat of course. The cost of food and beverage will depend on the number of guests, the menu you choose, and the level of service you require. A catered wedding reception in Dubrovnik can range from 90 to 150 euros per person, depending on the menu, while a full open bar will be an additional cost.

Wedding planner costs

Organizing, researching, and finding the best vendors for the budget, is not easy. Especially in foreign country. This is why most people decide to hire a wedding planners. Their pool of connections as well as experience ensure everything goes smoothly and as planned, allowing you to enjoy the actual celebration.

The cost of a wedding planner in Dubrovnik can vary depending on their experience and level of service, but you can expect to pay around 1000 to maximum 3000 euros for their services.

Photography and videography costs

Choosing the right wedding photographer for you is absolutely crucial to ensure you have an amazing wedding album that you're proud to leave out on the coffee table and show everyone who pops over. Your wedding photo album will serve as a memento that you will cherish for years to come and might possibly become a family treasure for your children, grandchildren, and future generations.

Every photographer is different, providing a unique way of stylising your wedding photos through framing, lighting, composition and more. Each professional photographer you consider will also have different rates, which will vary depending on a wide range of factors, such as experience and skill.

The cost of wedding photography and videography in Dubrovnik can vary depending on the photographer's experience and level of service. You can expect to pay 2000 to 5000 euros for a full day of wedding photography, while videography can cost an additional 2000 to 5000 euros.

Floral and decor costs

Determining the cost of decorations is a very challenging task. For their décor, some couples are willing to spend several thousand euros, while others only spend a few hundred. It depends primarily on the size and style of your wedding, as well as the flowers and materials you choose.

Transportation costs

If you're planning a destination wedding in Dubrovnik, you'll need to consider transportation costs for yourself and your guests. This includes luxury cars for couples, old timers, luxury vans, minibuses, buses, speedboats or large wooden sailboat for the wedding day. You can expect to pay 70 euros for nice luxury car to 2000 euros for a boat for 150 people for transfers and transportation.

Accommodation

We make it possible to book discounted accommodation in practically all of the hotels in Dubrovnik and the surrounding area. Additionally, the option is to reserve one of the many exquisite villas and luxurious apartments that Dubrovnik has to offer which will make your vacation truly enjoyable.

Legal and administrative costs

The paperwork and services required for a legal ceremony in Croatia will depend on your nationality and where the wedding is organized. Besides the cost of paperwork and officials, these can also include translator costs. We highly recommend hiring an experienced wedding planner to help out in this matter. You can expect to pay around 800 euros in the government officiant fees.

Miscellaneous costs

When organizing a wedding in Dubrovnik, there are several more expenses to take into account, such as makeup and hair, entertainment and music, and wedding favors. These costs can add up quickly, so it's important to budget accordingly. Wedding hair and makeup services can cost around 150 to 250 euros. You may also want to hire a DJ or live band for your reception, which can cost around 1000 for a DJ and 3000 euros for a band.

Extra activities

Many couples decide to add extra events to their wedding celebration, such boat rides, wine tours, or additional adventures. While these activities can be fun and memorable, they can also add to the overall cost of the wedding.

Planning the perfect wedding in Dubrovnik

He proposed, she said "yes", after that couple is overwhelmed with the amount of tasks and questions, that they have to deal with to organize a memorable wedding. Therefore, having detailed and comprehensive wedding checklist is crucial. Below, you can read the instruction how to prepare for your unforgettable event.

1# After getting engaged

Start dreaming about your wedding

Imagining your dream wedding is a magical experience where you can use all your creativity.

To get some inspiration of what you want, spend some time checking out bridal magazines, books, blogs, instagram sites and real wedding photos. Collect everything that inspires you, from shoes and nail design to wedding venues and musicians in one place – for example, on Pinterest, or print it out and put on a moodboard.

This way you can visualize your ideal wedding and it will help vendors understand and implement your wishes, even those that you cannot put into words.

Determine the wedding budget

Regardless of whether you are going to organize a celebration on your own or hire a professional wedding planner, the budget is a key factor that you should decide on as early as possible.

Create a Guest list

This will help you understand how big actually you want your wedding to be.

Choose a wedding date

You can choose a number that is symbolic for you personally, or just a beautiful date that you like. Keep in mind if you are planning the event during the high season, you need to check the availability of the venue on your preferred date and book at least a year in advance.

For destination weddings another important consideration is availability of your guests, so consider choosing the dates during the vacation period or holidays in your country.

Choose the wedding venue

When it comes to a wedding preparation, selecting the perfect venue for the reception and ceremony is on the list of the most important! It's crucial to make this decision months ahead of time. Do you envision your wedding to be held indoors or outdoors? Are you leaning towards having both the ceremony and reception in the same space? These are essential decisions to make before you begin searching.

Many venues in Dubrovnik offer the convenience of hosting both the wedding ceremony and dinner at the same location, with a setup change taking between 1.5 to 2 hours. During this time, an alternative space is provided nearby for the couple and guests to enjoy a welcome drink.

Among the other endless options where to have your perfect wedding, Dubrovnik also offers stunning outdoor locations, and civil and symbolic ceremonies can be held on the beach. And you don't need to worry In case of rain during an outdoor ceremony, backup locations are always available to ensure the celebration continues smoothly.

We've prepared the list of the top weddings venues in Dubrovnik to help you to find a perfect venue. Along with there is more information regarding venues in our FAQ.

Choose your wedding planner

Review the portfolios of agencies you're interested in and contact representatives to ensure you're on the same page. By taking the time to do this, you can establish a strong connection with the agency that best aligns with your vision and preferences.

2# The months prior

Choose the vendors

Photography and video

The wedding photo album and wedding video can become keepsakes to be passed down to kids (and grandkids!), so we will help you find the perfect wedding photographer and videographer to capture your big day, as well as wedding photo ideas to make sure you end up with a well-rounded wedding photo album. We collaborate with top-rated photographers who receive excellent reviews from newlyweds for their services. We will provide you with an overview of each photographer's portfolio and pricing.

Music for the ceremony

All significant events in life are frequently accompanied with music, which is the universal language of the human soul. We have a wide range of choices in our offer for the ideal musical backdrop for your special day. Violin, cello, guitar, trio, quartet, or solo singer are among the options available.

Party music

A DJ or a band are typically the options that newlyweds select. You may always add a few of your favorite songs to the band's well-known repertoire before they perform it, and the DJ plays songs from the playlist that you have confirmed previously. It is preferable to give the DJ a Spotify link or music list.

Decorations

The charm and beauty of the wedding day and wedding party are reflected in the decorations. Decorations create an enchanting atmosphere for your guests' unforgettable day and turn the venue into a location that is entirely yours. To ensure that the choice of décor is both within the budget and set by preferences, we provide newlyweds with consultations with our professional staff.

Hair and make–up

The hairstylist and makeup artist understand that every bride has unique preferences when it comes to their appearance. But in order to get a gorgeous look, you and your hair and makeup artist need to be working toward the same objective: having a beautiful appearance that boosts one's grace and confidence. Our team of skilled hairstylists and makeup artists can easily accommodate the needs of not just the newlyweds but also their friends and family, ensuring that everyone looks amazing on this important day.

Wedding cake

Nowadays, couples are prepared to shell out some extra money for a cake that perfectly captures their individuality and sense of flair because it's all about the wow factor. We will give you the chance to choose the ideal cake design for your wedding and, of course, the taste of your choice from the wide selection that our talented staff will have to offer.

Caterers

Caterers can be booked for both the wedding and any related events. The newlyweds are consulted while creating menus. To remind you, we always consider all preferences and follow all recommendations regarding possible health restrictions.

Seating plan, place cards, table numbers

These are the small touches that add to the uniqueness of your wedding story. You have undoubtedly already found inspiration on Instagram profiles or Pinterest boards. Of course, we're here to fulfill your desires!

Create a seating plan

Every couple dreams of creating a cozy space and a festive atmosphere at their wedding, where everyone can relax and have a good time. Therefore, seating guests at the wedding is a responsible task. Taking into account numerous factors and avoiding misunderstandings is perhaps the main goal of the bride and groom when preparing for the banquet.

Even a small family celebration cannot be done without a carefully thought-out seating plan, let alone a large wedding. Therefore, deciding how to seat guests at the wedding should be done in advance.

Transportations

When it comes to transporting newlyweds and guests, we choose only the highest quality service – premium cars and experienced drivers. Vans, buses, old-timers, and luxury cars are all available for selection. There is a big boat for passenger transportation and a smaller boat for the bridal party for people who choose to get married or celebrate on the island.

Lighting

Thanks to fairy lights or light space coloring, as well as bubbles that work especially effectively for the first dance, we can turn your wedding venue into the place of your dreams.

Wedding favours

The key to choosing good wedding favors that your guests will genuinely appreciate is to balance We can offer you the items that your guests would be likely to use anyway, such as candles, bottles of wine, cocktail kits, or everyone's favorite: food and snacks.

Giving that this is a destination wedding make sure the gifts can easily fit in into a luggage, are safe to take it through security so your guests can bring it home with them. But also that you can bring them with you to the Croatia. This is where choosing a local gifts make it unique.

You can find some ideas below in the list of wedding favours for your guests: personalised bottle openers, local coffee or tea, scented candles, reusable tote bags or luxury soap bar.

Or may be you want something local that will remind them about Croatia; mini bottles of olive oil, čipka (local lace), arancini (sugar-coated orange peels), bruštulane mjendule (sugared almonds), fragrant bags of dried lavender or bottles of lavender essential oil, mini bottles of local alcohol with a wedding themed sticker, honey pots or glass canisters of sea salt.

Even though the wedding favors are not a requirement, but it's a nice way to thank your guests perhaps with something personal and meaningful.

Pre and post wedding party

Prolonging your celebration over multiple days allows you to put together a variety of events and gatherings that are reflective of you as a couple. The advantages of prolonging your wedding are numerous. You'll spend lots of time with your guests, and you can arrange for more activities and entertainment programs to make the destination wedding an endlessly fun and fascinating trip. This way, more guests, especially those coming from abroad or with children, will be able to attend the event. We can provide you with programs on a boat, in the forest, or on one of the stunning beaches.

Write your vows

A wedding vow is a sacred promise and it is one of the more memorable parts of a wedding. They're often times that people will remember most about your ceremony, and they serve as an important reminder to your spouse that you'll always be there for them no matter how tough things get.

How to write them?

Telling your partner you love them is the best place to start! The promises you are writing don't need to be serious or heavy, they can be symbols of your love – like promising to help around the house or promising to always be there when they need a cup of tea.

Realistic promises are the foundation of a good relationship, so keep it real. Never lose sight of why you're getting married in your vows. You've gathered your loved ones together to promise in front of witnesses that you will love and support each other in a legally binding way, so don't skip to acknowledge the help that you will need from them – and the support and love they've shown you up until now – is a fundamental part of your wedding day.

Telling interesting or funny stories about your friends and your partner in your vows is a great way to help them feel truly included and a special part of your wedding day.

Plan the timeline

A timeline for the wedding day is set up once we have finalized all of the details with the newlyweds, which usually happens a month before the big day. Typically, the timeline is composed of 10 to 20 pages that are dedicated to every detail of the wedding. The hourly timetable for the wedding day appears on the first page of the timeline, and it predicts what is going to happen on the wedding day minute by minute.

The other pages include all additional scheduled services. In other words, everything you need to make your dream wedding come true should be in one place, from dinner or music selections to floral arrangements and décor.

After the newlyweds have reviewed and approved the timetable, we create a particular timetable for each vendor so that everyone is aware of exactly what has to be done, when, and where.

However, if you're not working with an organizer, it can be challenging to determine what to include and how detailed the schedule should be. A wedding schedule should outline all major and minor events of the day, including suppliers, guests, and deliveries. It's crucial to include specific timings for tasks like hair and makeup to ensure a smooth flow of events and prevent any confusion or delays throughout the day.

Book accommodation

Dubrovnik offers a diverse range of accommodations, from luxurious and elegant hotels, exquisite villas to charming B&Bs, catering to guests from all corners of the world. For a destination wedding, consider guest accommodations early due to the city's popularity. Booking in advance ensures a variety of options for your guests.

Get familiar with the popular wedding traditions in Croatia

In Croatia, there are many wedding customs and traditions, depending on the region the wedding takes place. In case you're planning to get married in Croatia and you want to add some local customs to your wedding making it even more interesting for your guests. Here are some of the most popular ones.

Rosemary branch

In Croatia, guests at weddings are greeted with rosemary. Each guest receives a single branch of rosemary which is pinned to their left side as corsages. It's a tradition that guests leave some money as a "donation for the couple" in a basket after they receive the decoration.

Barjaktar

Barjaktar is literally the "banner holder", the person who leads the wedding party. It is a person who carries and waves the Croatian flag in front of the wedding procession on their way to Church, town hall, or a banquet hall. It is seen as a very important duty, given to people with a long history of being loud, funny and slightly crazy.

False bride

false bride is one of the most amusing customs in Croatia. The groom arrives with his guests in front of the bride's house and asks for his bride. A male family member opens the door, but they are not just giving the bride away yet. By providing him with a fake wife, the bride's family attempts to "cheat" the groom. The groom eventually sees his bride after being tricked, and after that they reconcile and leave for church.

Choose the witnesses

It is better to choose witnesses in advance in order to secure their consent to perform the role prepared for them.

Send invitations

Make sure that all guests have received invitations and confirmed their presence. Keep in mind that you need to notify your guests 6 months before the wedding, so they can plan ahead, book flight tickets, and deal with a possible visa requirements.

Create your wedding guidebook

After finalizing hotel bookings, transportation, schedules, and recommended places, the next step is to create your wedding website with all this information. Your website should serve as a central hub for all wedding details, including currency exchange rates, cultural codes of conduct, rental-car options, public-transit schedules, dress codes, and a list of essential items to bring.

This organized approach will provide guests with helpful information and a preview of the planned events. When in doubt, it's best to include any relevant information on the website for guests' convenience.

3# Days before the wedding

Meet with the registrar

The final step concerning the legal requirements is to bring with you the original documents a couple of days before your wedding takes place to the marriage office and submit the documentation. You can count on us organising the meeting with the Registrar and beeing in person with you during the meeting.

Prepare wedding welcome bags

To attend the destination wedding for guests is always an extra effort, welcome bags are essential. You can get creative without breaking the bank, including basic things like water and snacks to ease their arrival. Personalize the bag with local treats, beverages, small souvenirs, or even a postcard that guests can send home along with informational printouts and a thank you note. Ensure the hotel gives the packages to each guest upon check-in. This thoughtful gesture will be appreciated by your guests and enhance their overall experience.

Rehearse the vows

It is essential to prepare and familiarize yourself with the vows. Remember, well-prepared improvisation often leads to the most heartfelt moments.

Have final beauty appointments

Do your manicure and pedicure. After you are done with all the beauty procedures make sure you have time to treat yourself. Leave the room in your schedule for a couple's massage or turn it into a day spa experience, it's time for relaxation that will allow your mind get ready for the most important day in your life.

Explore Dubrovnik and be social

Invite your attendees to explore the city together. No matter which activity you will choose, it can be a relaxed day on the beach, wine tasting, visiting the most popular attractions of Dubrovnik or just grabbing a beer in one of the restaurants, since they have traveled to be with you, it's one more way to make them feel welcome.

For ideas what to do and where to go in Dubrovnik check our blog post we've prepared the list of attractions for you to enjoy and see the best of what this charming city has to offer.

4# After the wedding

After the celebrations newlyweds often have several post-wedding tasks to attend to. Here are some common tasks.

Review marriage documents

Ensure that all necessary legal documents, such as marriage certificates and licenses, are in order. After the ceremony, we will bring your marriage certificate to the court so we can proceed with the final signatures. To ensure that your marriage certificate is recognized not only in your own country but internationally as well, the court will affix an Apostille stamp to it. Once the Apostille stamp is in place, the marriage certificate will be given to you or sent to your address.

Share the happy memories

While the delivery of photos depends on the arrangements with photographer, which can vary from one month after the wedding, up to three to four months later. Some photographers will also provide few best photos following the wedding so you can share your big moment on social media or with your friends and family that might not have attended.

Enjoy your honeymoon

Whether you just stay longer and to explore and relax in the beautiful Croatia, or you go for honeymoon somewhere else, this is the time for you to enjoy your happily ever after.

Benefits of wedding planers for destination wedding

Weddings may appear wonderful and exciting at first, but the amount of planning required makes them hectic. If you feel a bit overwhelmed with the idea of how to organize the destination wedding, consider hiring a wedding planner.

A wedding planner is an investment to ensure your wedding planning process will be smooth and enjoyable and your wedding day will be epic. Your time will be saved to do the things you love. Selecting a wedding planner shouldn't come down to the first planner you find, nor should it be who is the most budget-friendly. Do your research and find someone who delivers on the qualities you are looking for.

Remember, not only does a wedding planner provide an enjoyable and stress-free planning process, they also provide you with peace of mind to overcome any unexpected challenges along the way.

A wedding planner can save you money

You might wonder if hiring a wedding planner can help you save money. Even though it might seem contradictory, hiring a wedding planner can actually help you save money! From the beginning, they will inquire about your budget, and they will keep you on track with it. They are experts in all things wedding-related on a limited budget. When necessary, they are able to negotiate with vendors to obtain the best price without compromising quality. They also typically get trade discounts from companies they have good relationships with.

A wide range of connections

A wedding planner has a wide range of connections to other vendors you need because they collaborate with many professionals in the wedding industry. Weddings are expensive, and you have to put a lot of trust in people you've probably never met. You can be sure that a planner will only offer a list of suppliers that they can rely on and trust.

Planning a wedding can be stressful and emotional. You may change your mind halfway through the process, think of a different theme, or revise your budget. A great planner is understanding and have the ability to respond to your needs right away.

Handles language and cultural barriers

Even though English is widely spoken in Croatia, and particularly in touristic spots in Dubrovnik, some of the local suppliers may only speak Croatian. A local wedding planner will help you navigate the language barriers, cultural differences, and logistical challenges of planning a wedding in a foreign country.

Family and friends aren't professional planners

Your family and friends will almost always offer their help in organizing a wedding day. Despite the fact that they may be very sincere and genuine, they are not professional planners. If they work in the wedding industry, that's fantastic, but this should be a time when your closest family and friends can celebrate this special occasion with you rather than working.

You need to be present on your big day

A wedding planner's ability to ensure that you are present and relaxed at every moment of your wedding day is by far their most valuable service.

They will offer you advice and assist you in resolving any problems that may arise. Most of the time, brides have a planner taking care of any problems that arise during their wedding, so they aren't even aware of them.

The last thing you want to do is look back and remember the billions of questions you had to answer, chasing vendors around, and setting up and breaking down the event.

About us

Dubrovnik - Marry Me is a boutique wedding planning agency, founded and managed by Renata Alujević Gustin, who opened the agency after working for five years at the Mayor's office in the City of Dubrovnik. There she had the opportunity to gain a rich experience in organising various events for large delegations from all over the world who visit Dubrovnik on a daily basis.

Today, agency consists of a small team of incredibly talented local wedding planners and coordinators, creating intimate wedding experiences, adventure elopements and memorable ceremonies. Our wedding packages are designed to meet your needs and eliminate the need for tough decisions in the planning process.

Years of experience and hundreds of happy clients

We are extremely proud of the fact that since the wedding agency was opened in 2014, we have helped over 300 couples from all around the world plan and make their dream weddings come true.

But don't just take our word for it, feel free to check the feedback in our portfolio and on our Facebook page. If you have any questions check our FAQ page, and feel free to contact us.

We are looking forward to working with you!

We couldn't recommend Renata enough. We want to thank you for everything you have done for us over the last two years! We still can't quite believe we managed to have such a beautiful wedding that was organised via email.

We could not have done this without you, you really are amazing at what you do thank you for being so patient, for always replying so quickly and for always being there for us. We really do appreciate all your hard work and effort.

Hannah & Ryan

What is included?

Our service includes our full engagement regarding all the aspects of the wedding and the entire stay of the newlyweds and their guests in Dubrovnik, including;

• Information for obtaining required documents from your home country
• Handling of all documents during their processing for a valid ceremony
• Expert advices on choosing wedding location
• Booking of wedding venue
• Booking the wedding date and time
• Unlimited e-mail and call support
• Preparing a budget and helping you stick to it, advice on where to make un - noticeable savings and other handy tips
• Liaison with all suppliers
• Preparation of wedding day timeline
• Inspection of all wedding locations with no time limit
• Pre-wedding meeting
• Discreet coordination throughout your wedding day – a few wedding planners will be with you and your guests
• Arranging pre-wedding day party and post-wedding day party (if required)
• Arranging discount price for accommodation for you and your guests at your desired Hotel (if required)
• Arranging transport on arrival at the airport and on departure from Dubrovnik for you and your guests (if required)
• Arranging transport (bus or cars) to the place of wedding and after wedding to the hotel /apartment for you and your guests (if required)