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

Mljet Wedding- their own wedding island....

I sit here and think where to start with this blog post? From the couple who were the most amazing people you can imagine, or the island that is a national park as a whole, or maybe the venue- tiny island on the island's lake saying that the couple had their own island for the wedding? Absolutely everything about this wedding was perfect, and that makes it even more difficult to write about it.
I will leave the photos speak for that....

Islet of St Mary, tiny island on the lake of island of Mljet. There is a monastery, family owned restaurant and a park. Most amazing wedding venue one can find. A truly hidden gem.

When Nevena first emailed, her wedding vision was so clear and romantic, wanting for her guests to enjoy the time and for the two of them to promise to each other surrounded by her loved ones. With good food and wine and a natural feel. An island came as a given idea for this as it perfectly fit her wedding vision.

Nevena & Robert, a first kiss... smiling.... :)

I can't explain how excited I was to plan a wedding on island of Mljet, one of the most amazing places you will ever see in your life... The tranquility of the place, the romance of it, the magic around you are just beyond any words. I always loved island weddings and Mljet was just a dream come true, even for me as a wedding planner. So we hit it off with great ideas and plans and we made it all come to life on a bright sunny day on July 3rd 2012. There are a lot of people who will surely never forget this day...

Photo session in the nature... 

Guests were picked up by a boat from a village on peninsula of Peljesac where most of them were staying. The beginning was promising with everyone singing along and sunbathing on the decks. All the guests stayed in the hotel Odisej on Mljet and were transfered by private shuttle vans to the lake dock where the boat took them to islet of St Mary, where ceremony and reception took place.

Nevena getting ready and smiling all the way. 

Robert geting ready. Smiling most of the time but when he had to put the tie on :)

The atmosphere was just brilliant- relaxed and easygoing, and absolutely no stress in the air. Maybe it's the island's charms or just them being like that, but it was more than a pleasure being a part of this wedding.
As guests gathered on a sea side walkway for the ceremony, I took Nevena and her maid of honor to a small local fisherman's boat (which Nevena absolutely loved - it was her perfect carriage!) and when we got a cue from Marin who was with Robert and wedding guests , the motor was turned on and we slowly approached the islet, with guests cheering, applausing and taking photos. Nevena was beaming at them. It was the most amazing bridal arrival ever.

Bridal arrival. Original or what? :)

It was that time- ceremony time.... I can't really find words to describe it- there were laughs, happy tears, guests comments and more laughs and happy tears. Most casual, most natural, most beautiful wedding ceremony I have ever witnessed.

Flower girls and maid of honor walking down the aisle.... 

Nevena walking down the aisle....

Exchange of rings after exchange of vows. And don't you just love that bouquet?

After Nevena and Robert exchanged their vows (more happy tears and laughs :)), they walked together down the aisle and had their guests congratulated them. While they had a mini photo session with Sinisa the photographer around the island, guests enjoyed homemade liquors and grappas and some nice refreshing bites to keep them going. Sun was shining just for them and everyone felt like they were on another planet. Even we did :)

Photoshoot on the island.... Laughing away....

Charms of Croatia and Croatians :)

Happily married :)

Speeches were held very casually too, before, during and after the meal and it was difficult to say who was enjoying more- the Bride and Groom or their guests. The guestbook table had an empty photo frame and polaroid camera with photo props for guests to capture the fun into eternity.
It took us a whole day to decorate the venue, Nevena brought loads of fabulous decoration props, combined to our Dubrovnik Event props, there was quite some decorating to be done. I was amazed at the venue when I saw the end result of what my girls put together. It was a true venue transformation, and an incredible one too. But still staying true to itself, romantic, authentic and charming.
Kids were laughing, playing and running around the island, it was a fairytale wedding indeed.

Sweetheart table....

You cannot imagine how much fun guests had with these!

Looking at the Polaroids.... what a fantatsic keepsake...

Party time!!!

The menu was simple and local and wine was flowing, it was time for a cake cutting, first dance and the party, which continued till early morning hours. Guests were if desired taken back to the main island every hour and shuttles took them to the hotel. Even locals say it was the best wedding ever- they heard the party all night long and loved it....

Wedding cake, wine barrel style, chocolate on the inside. Beautiful and tasty. 

First dance... Their love was tangible....

Besides being utterly romantic, they are great party people too  :)

Dancing time :)

Fun fun fun....

Bouquet tossing. That is a bouquet even I wanted to catch :)

Love is in the air....

I know I didn't talk much in this blog post and excactly that's why I put more photos, as not much words could describe what a beautiful day and what a beautiful wedding that was.
So do I finish off with the venue, island or the people? Always, the people- Nevena and Robert, thank you from my heart for choosing us to be aboard this special journey with you. We will most surely never forget this wedding nor you. And it gave us an opportunity to stay on the island for the weekend, and that my friends is pure luxury in July....

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Happy Planning dear Brides! Dont forget to email at info@dubrovnikevent.com for your own wedding info. It can truly be a dream come true....

With love,

Ines, your Dubrovnik wedding planner

Love is in the air- Happy Valentine's Day from Dubrovnik Event Wedding Planners

This one is from a wedding of a couple I will surely never forget. The love they had for each other  was almost tangible. and truly inspirational.... Marijana & Bas, married in June 2010

Happy Valentine's day to all of you! I know a lot of people say that it's just another day and we shouldn't wait for commercialized so called holiday to express and remember our love and our loved ones, but I can't help but feel something specially romantic in the air every Valentine's day. Call me a traditionalist or a dreamer, but I truly feel that Valentine's Day has a meaning deeper than just buying flowers or pressies for your loved ones and should be honored as such....
So I find it very appropriate to write a mini blog post today, about love, in photos. AS we all know, they say a thousand words.
So enjoy, and may your Valentine's day be as romantic as any day you dream of.... Happy Love!

This is one of the first photos I have seen when I started working with Vero, our wedding photographer. It was by far one of my fav and still is, and not only the couple but the faces of the people around them. Truly, love was in the air....

We live love through our work and there is nothing more rewarding I assure you, than being a wedding planner. It reminds you of things you sometimes forget and show you how love truly is simple. We see it in your eyes and in your vows. In you speaking to each other and just know that love is to be for a lifetime...

Kelley & Andrei, married in June 2010. If you just spent more than 10 seconds with them, you  would know these people have found each other's second half....

I love you. I am who I am because of you. You are every reason, every hope, and every dream I've ever had, and no matter what happens to us in the future, everyday we are together is the greatest day of my life. I will always be yours.

- From The Notebook

Rachel & Ahmed, a couple for whom words wouldnt do any justice. An inspiration to everyone and anyone.....

Anne & Thorbjorn, married in July 2011, they know what they were willing to do for each other. And we were moved to tears....

Claire and Ryan, married in in Dubrovnik in May 2011, were together for 12 years before he popped the question. She was so excited about her wedding she was teary eyed already at the pre wedding meeting. And his eyes were teary when he waited her walk down the aisle....

Kisha and Kamau- he organized a surprise wedding for her in Dubrovnik and she followed him all the way. That's LOVE.

Lisa & David, married in June 2011. Their looks say enough, True Love. we see them every year since then, it is still the same....

Now this is a look of a man in love... Rachel and Ortis, married May 2011 in Dubrovnik. Dear friends, amazing people, supporting and love life partners....

Do you know that place between being asleep and awake, where you still remember your dreams? Thats where I'll always love, that's where I'll always wait for you.

- - Tinkerbell (Hook)

Kellie and David, married in July 2011, amazing people with such incredible love for each other that even we, who only spent a couple of days with them, couldnt' not admire at it....

"I'm scared of everything. I'm scared of what I saw. I'm scared of what I did, of who I am.... and most of all, I'm scared of walking out of this room and never feeling the rest of my whole life the way I feel when I'm with you."

- "Baby" in Dirty Dancing

There is something about first dances. Amanda & Barry, cool people cool Love.

Marijana & David, married July 2012. Couples have so few moments on their own in their weddings. That's why the ones they have are truly cherished...

Katie & Jon, married June 2012 in Dubrovnik. Throughout the wedding planning he kept saying- whatever it is to make my Katie happy... I thought that was so selflessly loving....

"If you love someone... you say it, right then, out loud. Otherwise... the moment just passes you by."

- From My Best Friends Wedding

Nevena & Robert, married on island of Mljet in July 2012. It took me 10 minutes to choose a photo from their wedding to post, the fact is that every single one of them is bursting with love....

That thing, that moment, when everything around you becomes hazy.. and the only thing in focus is you and this person..and you realise that that person is the only person you should be kissing for the rest of your life.. and for one moment you get this amazing gift.. and you wanna laugh and you wanna cry cuz you feel so lucky that you found it and so so scared that its all gonna go away all at the same time.

- Drew Barrymore in Never been kissed

Sylvie & Guy. The fate really played with them before the finally found each other while meeting each other in various stages of each other lives. Now they know they were always meant to be.... 

Love and Lee, married in Dubrovnik, on island of Lokrum in July 2012. When I first thought about making a Love blog post on Valentine's they, they were the first couple that came ot my mind. I think that says enough... :)

Claire & Grahame, married in Dubrovnik in August 2012. Every single one person who actually worked on their wedding was wowed with their love and their personalities. It was a very touching day....

A life without love, is no life at all.

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And so I leave you with this thought. With these amazing quotes and photos of people whose love I had the honor to witness, at least for a day. I truly do have the best job in the whole wide world and wouldnt change it for any other. I got all of you to thank for.....

With love,

Ines, your Dubrovnik wedding planner

www.dubrovnikevent.com