It took me a while to figure out how to title this blog post,as Katie and Bobby, after their wedding stayed in Dubrovnik, they live and work here now and are truly our dear friends. We go for lunches together and make house visits too, but still if you asked me objectively, this is definitely one of the most beautiful weddings I had the honor of planning, organizing and coordinating. And indeed, it was perfect....
I will let the photos tell their story too...
So, to start from the beginning, I remember when Katie first contacted me in March for a wedding in September, coming from Australia. I though to myself, wow that is a last minute booking, but Katie and Bobby, with him having family in Dubrovnik, have organized a few things on their own, so we didn't start from the very beginning.
They came for a 2 week site inspection visit in May (that happens rarely too, and I LOVED meeting them every couple of days and this made me think how I wish my Brides were closer to me so I can help them in choosing their dress and make flower samples on spot...) and we faced some challenges along the way- the venue they had booked started raising prices and changing terms and conditions and my first serious task as their potential wedding planner was to find a new venue- for 1st Saturday in September, the busiest one of all, to find an available venue that is to be beautiful and that can hold 120 people- trust me, not an easy task. But we managed, and the venue was so much more beautiful than the first one chosen (wont be telling names :) ).
Slowly, but surely, things started to shape up and their wedding vision became clearer by the hour, not by the day. Soon enough, what we laid ahead of us was a perfect destination wedding in Dubrovnik plan. And it truly was...
Katie and Bobby were a dream come true for me as a wedding planner- well organized, reasonable, warm and passionate about their wedding, completely open to ideas and suggestions, with a clear vision though, knowing it is one of the most important day of their lives, they splurged into their perfect wedding in Dubrovnik....
Katie arrived to Dubrovnik from Australia about 3 weeks before the wedding, on her own to finalize plans, make flower samples, taste food, wines and all the other fun bits to the final section of the wedding planning. She enjoyed local beaches and local food, and started to get to know the town a bit better, as Bobby had to stay a bit longer in Australia. A week before the wedding she flew to Las Vegas, where hen and stag parties were organized, and no photos here, but from what I heard, they had more than a blast- at moments I was worried if all of them will come back in one piece : )
During their Las Vegas party pre-wedding vacation, I had the honor and a very special task of safe guarding for Katie's wedding dress in my home. Having a 15 month old boy didn't help with the levels of stress this caused but I really felt honored about this! Don't worry, Luka was a good boy, didn't touch it and Katie got her wedding dress safe and sound : )
Day before the wedding, Katie and Booby decided to throw a cocktail party on East West Beach Club just on the entrance to the Old Town of Dubrovnik. Guests mingled and enjoyed spectacular views, excellent music, food and service and fantastic ambiance. It was a perfect get together....
The morning of the wedding finally arrived and everyone was fabulously relaxed and chilled. Girls were getting pampered in the luxurious Villa which Katie and Bobby booked for them and their friends, sipping champagne and nibbling snacks and fruits while guys were getting ready in the "Boys" mansion, the Villa just next door. Bobby's mother being from Slavonija, northern part of Croatia (where I am from originally too!), all of us are a bit obsessed with food and drink, as long as there are stuff to eat and drink everything will be just fine, so they really had a nice feast in that villa. No wonder why everyone wanted to stop by Bobby's villa before they headed to Katie's :)) - no offense girls, I loved the champagne but Bobby's Mum's delicacies were to die for! : )
The boys got ready and got transferred with limos to the Old Town, had a quick drink before entering a beautiful church of St Blaise, patron of Dubrovnik, where wedding mass was set to start at 1600hrs.
And the girls were almost ready. I brought a freshly steamed veil in the last minute, the fabulous hair stylist fixed it all and we were ready to take off! And the mood! Well I can't express it in words, but it was everything it should be- relaxed and cheery with a splash of positive adrenaline! Girls were singing "going to the chapel lady, gonna get married" all along the short journey to the Old Town and people clapped and greeted the happy bridal party. Loved it!
We showed guests to their seats and told everyone it is time to find their place as the Bride is to enter. A moment of anticipation, as it is on every wedding, my favorite....
Katie entered the church with the tunes of beautiful Pachebel's Canon in D and over 100 people bursting with emotions gleamed at her and smiled, with a rare dry eye among all of them....
Katie and Bobby lit their unity candles- one each as a sign of their individuality upon entrance and one unity candle as a sign of their unity once the priest pronounced them husband and wife.
Service was amazing- half in English and half in Croatian, just a perfect amount of both...
As guests got out of the church, a traditional local Klapa trio awaited for them in front and played in traditional costumes, on mandolins and a guitar. After photos, guests were ushered to the spectacular galleon boat for a panoramic sunset cruise, where they were served champagne and a buffet of local delicacies.
After photos, guests were ushered to the spectacular galleon boat for a panoramic sunset cruise, where they were served champagne and a buffet of local delicacies.
After the boat brought us to the Grand Villa Argentina, where the wedding reception was to take place, amazing canapes were served along with cocktails and the crowd got it really going there!
Meantime, Katie and Bobby went for a photo session and a small refreshment, so when they entered the lounge bar where the ambiance was already in the party mood (nobody even thought about dinner yet : )) a huge round of applause and cheers was heard. Huge!
It was however time to get guests going to the beautiful venue, reminder- found last minute : ) to start the reception....
The entrance again was huge! Bridal party entered to the Jay Z's Empire State of Mind, and it really got the guests going. As everyone was seated, Katie and Bobby entered and started their first dance song: Wicked Game by Chris Isaac....
Dinner was served, a mouth watering 5 course meal (I know what you're thinking- food again : ). But trust me it was all done so well, it was a perfect amount of perfect food.) before the band started playing and everyone, but literally everyone was on the dance floor. I don't remember the last time I saw 120 people dancing! all ages, all walks of life. As I said in the beginning , it was a perfect wedding.
The wedding cake was made by their friend- Bobby's sister in law and I take my hat off for it. Well done, it is not easy to make a cake for 120 people in your own home kitchen. A special credit Oscar goes to Marija for the cake, definitely!
And it was absolutely delicious, real home made treat!
After the cake, bouquet and garter were tossed and the newlyweds had a grand exit out of their wedding reception- they didn't really feel like going though : )
As I said, it was a perfect wedding. It was inspirational for me, and I hope for you too. Nothing makes me happier than planning a wedding for wonderful people, and Katie and Bobby that truly are.
Thanks guys for entrusting us such an important role in your lives.
We look forward to the lifelong friendship and beautiful wedding memories!
For your perfect wedding in Dubrovnik, contact us at info@dubrovnikevent.com and visit our website www.dubrovnikevent.com
