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