Get married in Dubrovnik with Dubrovnik Event: 2013

Saturday, December 14, 2013

Why I love Christmas/Weddings :)

I never really thought about my own wedding when I was a little girl. I didn't know how my dress will look like or what flowers I will have (I loved daisies ever since I was a child so it was a natural choice for my wedding flowers too) or where it will be. All I know I always absolutely loved weddings. And Christmas. Gosh how I wanted every Saturday to be Christmas. I knew if this was the case it would grow old, but still- Christmas was my favorite part of the year (yap even more so than my birthday which I absolutely plan to celebrate every year of my life :)) and my favorite day of the year.

On the other hand- I would get so excited when we'd go at the wedding,any wedding- even today, as a wedding planner by profession, attending weddings makes me extra excited. People look at me like I've gone mad- working almost daily at weddings, attending dozens of weddings per year and still- absolutely loving weddings? There had to be something strange with me :)
Yet, it wasn't!

And it hit me just the other day.... Weddings and Christmas have so much in common.
People laughing. Families getting together. Children playing. Both bring out the best in people. For both we will go over something we wouldn't normally for someone. Happy times. Positive thoughts. Signing, dancing, carolling. Baking (Christmas) cookies and (wedding) cakes. Decorating the houses and venues. Splurging in shopping (shoes involved in both shopping sprees :)). And so much more. But it really is all about happiness and family time. And remembering what matters most in our life.

THAT is why I so love Christmas and Weddings, and both have a very special place in my heart. There is something special about the pre wedding and pre Christmas jitters, positive stress in the house and the smell of vanilla all around. Somehow I always smell vanilla in Weddings and Christmas. Candles everywhere. And love in the air. That's what it's all about.

Wishing you a very merry Christmas this year and happy planning for your Wedding, with love from your Christmas/Wedding Freak Wedding planner here at Dubrovnik Event (www.dubrovnikevent.com).

Naturally, I have spread my adoration of Christmas to my son. My husband hopes I don't do the same with weddings :)

Sunday, October 13, 2013

Anna & Mark getting married in Dubrovnik...

With some people you just click. It was exactly like that with Anna and Mark, an Australian couple I met a couple of years prior to their wedding in August 2012. Young, beautiful, high spirited, open minded and incredibly charming, both of them had the same vision of the wedding plus Mark wanted to make sure Anna will get everything she ever dreamed of for her special day. Just a perfect start....

Anna is a yoga master, so her wedding day started with a private yoga class with her bridesmaids and our Dubrovnik yoga teacher Tina. It yet another was a perfect start - of the wedding day this time.... Anna and the girls had their spray tan done by our Dubrovnik spray tan specialist Katie a couple of days before the wedding and this is when the preparations started off. Mark on the other hand took the guys and arranged with us a private safari tour in Konavle valley region on a Sunday morning, the day before the wedding.
Everyone had their own thing and everyone just loved it....

It was hot summer day and the garden of the Grand Villa Argentina hotel was just ready to honorably host the wedding ceremony of Anna and Mark. What most people don't know is that only a couple of weeks before the wedding the venue Anna and Mark had booked cancelled the event due to unforeseen circumstances and we had to change the venue. Luckily, their dream venue was available - the Villa Sheherezada, one and only, Dubrovnik's well known trademark....

And so it started. Their beautiful wedding story....
The wedding ceremony was more than touching and there was no dry eye around us, including the groom. They exchanged their vows in front of 50 closest family and friends, who traveled from all over the world to share with them those special moments....

After the ceremony was ended, a more relaxed vibe got among the newlyweds and the guests and the boat picked up the guests from a private pier of the hotel for a sunset panoramic cruise before the reception. If you plan your Dubrovnik wedding, do make sure to incorporate this segment into it as it is by far the most memorable experience for most of the guests. Simply- everyone just loves it!

While the guests enjoyed the panoramic views of Dubrovnik's Old town and city walls, enchanted by the breeze and sunny day, Anna and Mark went for the photo session around the walled town and had a bit of time on their own- so important on that day- make sure you never forget to do that as the day flies by and you mingle with guests you barely see each other properly, and it is in the end to be a day of the two of you...

Guests were taken back to the hotel where Anna and Mark waited for them with delicacies prepared by the famous hotel's Chef Thierry Carouel, a French with a true feel for the food. Cocktails were served to everyone and the day could not just beb any better.

As the sun came down, it was time for the dinner to start too. Everything was ready for the stunningly beautiful reception and people could not hide the awe when they walked on to the villa grounds...

Anna and Mark were welcomed by the cheers of their guests and their favorite song and speeches were held shortly afterwards, just before the dinner was to start.

Fun, love and laughter continued till morning hours, dancing and balloon ceremony at the end, making a wish for the newlyweds and releasing a balloon into the clear Dubrovnik skies....
Such a perfect day....

Party continued in the East West Beach club for those wanting to dance some more and the rest went to take a rest before the next day's BBQ held on Villa Ruza and amazingly beautiful and quiet island of Kolocep. Another perfect day.

It was a perfect couple, a perfect plan and a perfect wedding. What more could we have wished for? Thank you so much Anna and Mark for having us as a part of your special story. We will never forget you or your beautiful wedding.... we wish you to stay as happy as you were that day... the 27th of August 2012...
With love,
Your Wedding Planners :)

******
Please contact us at info@dubrovnikevent.com for more information about your perfectly tailored wedding day....

Thursday, June 27, 2013

The yellow Dubrovnik Wedding of Mia and Torstein- island ceremony and villa reception

It has been exactly 2 years since Mia and Torstein got married. I will never forget their wedding and it was special in many different ways, and I hope photos will tell you enough of it. I have been planning to write a blog post about this particular wedding for so long now, well two years exactly, and better late than never right :)?
So this is my way of saying happy 2nd anniversary Mia and Torstein, you beautiful people who reminded me what love is all about.

******

When I first met Mia and Torstein and when they presented to me their wedding vision, I absolutely fell in love with it. I will tell you about the wedding in the story to come and have no doubts you will love the scenario of this lovely day these two amazing people prepared for their friends and family. It was a true pleasure being part of it....

It was a morning ceremony, well a late morning one, at 11am. It was a beautiful, sunny, crisp and pleasantly breezy day and nothing could get in a way of this beautiful bride heading to the man of her dreams..... while guests were taken by a boat to wait for the bridal party on the island of Lokrum, Mia and her entourage slowly made their way - in a speed boat (well, maybe not so slow?). Bond. Mia Bond style :)
It was sooooo much fun :)

Torstein was already there, anxiously waiting for his Bride. Set up was perfect, it wasn't too hot under a pleasant shade of the palm trees and the sea breeze coming from all sides on this beautiful island.... The ceremony was so personal, it is difficult to explain in words and I still so vividly remember it. EVERYONE was crying, just everyone....

After the touching ceremony, guests were served cocktails to toast to the newlyweds and canapes to grab a bite while Mia and Torstein, now husband and wife, went for a photosession with Veronica, their wedding photographer. Everyone was in their formals, but with extra bags as they knew an informal part is coming soon :)

Shortly aftterwards, guests were ushered to the boat, for lunch snacks, drinks and a bit of swimming too. This was the first time this fabulous idea actually came to life and to the fullest- absolutely every guest, including the Bride and the Groom, jumped in. It was a perfect afternoon.... After a couple of hours of summer joys, guests were taken to their hotels for an afternoon nap before the beautiful villa reception....

Just before heading there, Mia had another hair and makeup touch up and it was time to get the party rolling. We spent a whole day in the villa , making it up as the Bride imagined it to be, loaded with yellow lanterns, cushions around the pool. small table details to make a big picture look so magnificent. And it did look magnificent, didn't it?

Guests were welcomed by klapa band, Croatian's traditional songs and everyone just loved the local touch. Bride came the last, as it should be, at a fabulous cheer of all the guests. It was a midsummers dream. A true one....

After a big set of speeches, the Norwegian way :), and a fantastic buffet dinner full of Croatian specialties, guests were more than happy to hit the floor. The DJ did his job and the dance floor was full in no time. The party continued quite long as neighbours were more than tolerant and we will be eternally gratefull for that as they made two people's happyness complete.
It was one fabulous wedding.

So happy 2nd anniversary Mia and Torstein! May you always be happy and in love as you were 27th of June 2011!!!

With love, your Dubrovnik Wedding Planners :)

Ines & Marin

(info@dubrovnikevent.com, www.dubrovnikevent.com )

Friday, March 1, 2013

Dubrovnik Island Weddings- Villa Ruza Story of Maria & Enrique

I always loved number 7. It sort of followed me thoughout life and it turned out to be my lucky number in many ways. Who knows, maybe I end up with having 7 kids :) (Luka watch out and enjoy being the only child for now ! :))
I was so excited when Maria and Enrique chose 7th of July as their wedding day! From the start, I knew there was something special about this wedding. And these wonderful people, happy and relaxed and a true joy to be aboard with for their special wedding planning journey.

Red roofs of Dubrovnik, one of its greatest trademarks, a must be in your wedding album!

Day before the wedding, we organized a get together BBQ in a lovely local tavern for Maria and Enrique's guests who gathered in Dubrovnik for their celebrations from literally all over the world. Before they joined their friends and family for the barbique, these two love birds went for an engagement photo session with Veronica, their wedding photographer (www.svadbasphotography.com ) and, as you'll see in photos below, they had loads of fun and got some amazing shots out of Dubrovnik's walks....

They joined their guests in a lovely local tavern with incredible Old town views for some great food and flowing wine and the evening was a fantastic prediction of a fantastic wedding to come. Tomorrow....

They woke up to a gorgeous sunny and hot day, July's best, with a light breeze and not a cloud in sight. They were both so relaxed it was difficult to believe it was their wedding day and so the guests had the same mood, it's always a reflection of the bride and groom and how they feel....
Enrique and all wedding guests apart from Bridal party met up in the harbour where the love boat waited for them to take them to the love island :) Love was truly in the air :)

Maria Getting ready...

Shortly after that, bridal party was picked up by limos in their Old town villa and headed to the same harbour for their private speed boat pick up. Meantime, guests settled in and with great anticipation, waited for the bride....

Bride arriving in style..... Waving her bridal bouquet off her speed boat :)

Walking to the ceremony while guests are cheering and snapping photos...

Ceremony was just like the two of them- happy, laughter filled and so personal. It was symbolic ceremony (similar to civil one in form but without any legal bindings) which gave them all the flexibility when it came to texts, music, readings and whole scenario. Completely tailored to them....

All the eyes at the Bride....

Finally..... :)

Maria and Enrique with heat props :)

Personalized ring box

After the ceremony, guests went to the Villa Ruza lounge for cocktails and apetizers while Maria and Enrique had a nice walk with Veronica around the island. A true serenity, with sunset behind them and crystal blue Adriatic sea around them.... No cars, no people, just the two of them, finally happily married....

Havin fun while taking photos.... Such ideal backdrops for a wedding photo shoot isn't it?

Speaks for itself :)

When they got back to Villa Ruza restaurant and lounge bar, guests were already making themselves at home- music was playing, drinks were flowing and everyone was loving the homemade nibbles made by the renowned Chef. It was a fairytale wedding already, and the best was yet to come :)

This wedding had so many details and so many personal items to it , you could feel like you know the couple even if you didn't (Maria brought 2 huge suitcases of wedding props with her :)). Inspirational... They had CDs with their favorite songs for each guests laid on the guestbook table.
Empty photo frame with photo props was there too and everyone, but everyone had so much fun with it (the photographer too as you will see :))

Personalized CDs

Where to start? :)

Seating plan made so personal it was unbelievable- each guest had their own photo with the couple and a personal message on the back of it....

Photo props

EVERYONE had fun! Literally!

Without any special announcements or rush, everyone was slowly seated and dinner started. menu was fantastic- started off with homemade fish pate, followed by grilled Lobster with mediterranean herbs on rocket salad and new potatoes carpet. Dessert was absolutely delicious- white chocolate cake with coulis of fresh berries. Heaven!

Sun setting over Villa Ruza. Most amazing wedding venue indeed.....

Speeches were held as dessert was served... Maria and Enrique went to each table and spoke to people why they loved them and decided to have them at their wedding. Talking about personalizing your wedding.... This was as good as it gets.... So much laughter and fondness in one evening, it gave us strength for the rest of the season....

Shortly afterwards, it was party time!!! Maria and Enrique opened up the dance floor and were followed by all the guests. People were taking the microphone as they wished to extend their beautiful wishes to the newlyweds, the night was hot and blessed with a light breeze. It was a wedding everyone will talk about for the rest of their lives. And all because of the two people, who fell in love and decided to make it a different way, on a small enchanting island of Kolocep, at a most incredible restaurant Villa Ruza in the Dubrovnik area and with the people they love the most....

First dance and a beautiful cupcake wedding cake...

Dancing feet :)

Guys' business.... Spanish tradition where the guys are cutting the Grooms boxers and giving it away as memento from the wedding. As I said- guys' business! :)

The special light system Maria and Enrique had at their wedding added a new dimension to the venue, the trees around Villa Ruza were beautifully lit in purple, the color theme of the wedding....

And to top it all, at midnight a special birthday cake was brought out with everyone singing happy birthday to one of the wedding guests. Maria and Enrique didnt forget about anything or anyone. They knew it wasn't just their day, it is a day of their dear guests too who travelled with them from accross the globe to celebrate the special moments of these two incredible people.... Indeed, we were honored to be their wedding planners and a part of this truly special story....

Happy birthday!!!!

First water taxi left the island around midnight and people who had to go as they had kids with them really didn't want to. The rest of the wedding guests stayed till 3am, partying, dancing, laughing and spending a wedding like they should. The next morning everyone went for a typical Croatian dessert, nothing healthy about it but if I start talking about the breakfast menu, well you'd understand- it was an after wedding breakfast :)
It was everything a Bride and Groom could want, and it was everything a wedding planner could want. Thank you Maria and Enrique. We will never forget neither you or your amazing wedding....

Happy Planning Brides! Hope this story inspires you as much as it did me....
Email us at info@dubrovnikevent.com and visit www.dubrovnikevent.com for more photos.... We are there to make your dream wedding come true....

With love,

Ines, Your Dubrovnik Wedding Planner