Croatia’s rich cultural heritage, natural beauty, coastline with many beautiful islands, vibrant culture, excellent cuisine, and welcoming atmosphere are just some of the many charms that make everything so romantic.
Beautiful historic venues like palaces or villas are the main reason why any celebration feels elegant and special.
Every major city and region are very compact – the close proximity of different locations (wedding venue, vineyard, beach bar, rooftop party, boat tour, etc.) is perfect for a personalized wedding experience with a style.
Because of the warm Mediterranean climate, Croatia is the most famous for outdoor summer weddings, especially on the coast. Apart from the mostly sunny weather, the magical appeal of the costal venues lays in stunning views and rich cultural heritage. The attractive scenic beauty at ceremony spots by the seaside will create the most beautiful backdrop for your forever memory when saying I do. Understandable, the charming Croatian coast is at the top of the list for destination weddings in Europe.
When people think of Croatia as a destination, the ancient city of Dubrovnik is probably the first place that comes to mind. The small city at the very south of Croatia is a UNESCO World Heritage site with preserved cobblestone pathways, palaces and city walls.
Besides all of it, Dubrovnik recently gained its popularity even more since it was heavily featured in for the most watched TV series of all time – Game of Thrones.
Why Choose Dubrovnik for Your Wedding venue?
City’s ancient site presents historical and exclusive venues suitable for big or intimate weddings with a style. Dubrovnik is well connected with major cities so the logistics of gathering all of the guests there is very smooth.
Stunning Wedding Venues in Dubrovnik:
Dubrovnik provides an irresistible opportunity to get married on the top of the 121-foot sheer rock. Often called ‘’Dubrovnik’s Gibraltar’’, Lovrijenac Fortress is looking over the old town on one side and the big blue sea on the other.
This Gothic-Renaissance palace form the 16th century is a true icon of the city and has a special touch of romance and glam. Courtyard surrounded by the colonnade is a perfect setting for a wedding ceremony.
Split is a vibrant second largest city in Croatia which offers an exceptional setting for a wedding combining rich historical heritage with modern luxury. Split’s venues cater to every taste and style. The city has a lot of attractions to offer so a multi-day experience is promised.
Wedding Venues in Split
Villa Dalmacija is perfect and exclusive location for more intimate or larger weddings that offers many different settings for every part of the day. Ceremony at the long beach pier followed by cocktail party in the garden and finally dinner&party at the charming terrace overlooking the sea. Situated on the slopes of the Marjan hill, the forest surroundings guarantee a complete privacy while still being 5min away from the city center.
Gallery Meštrović was a home of the famous Croatian sculptor and architect. The Gallery is located on the southern slopes of the park forest Marjan as well. Beautiful front yard filled with greenery, display of artist’s work, as well as the sea view are truly fascinating. Wedding ceremony can be held on several different places – on the main entrance of the gallery, under the arches, or on the terrace.
Photo:Vlasta Weddings
It is very common to have ceremony and welcome drinks at Gallery Mestrovic and then move to another location for a dinner and party, for example Hotel Park which many perceive as the most prestigious place in Split. With long tradition, the hotel has been serving top gastronomy and offers exclusive accommodation.
Sustipan is a romantic public park surrounded by walls on one side and steep sea cliffs. Ceremony can be held in the middle of the park in a small stone gazebo or below the pine trees with a dreamy sea view. Sustipan is very popular for ceremonies that come before continuing the wedding celebration in a hotel or a restaurant.
Since Sustipan is situated close to the city center, the dinner/party venues are very close and could be reached in a matter of minutes.
The appeal of Hvar for Weddings
One of the sunniest islands in Croatia has been the top pick for a relaxed island wedding. Known for great local wines and gastronomical delicacies, Hvar is also recognized as a tranquil place as well as a party scene. The island is great for laid-back weddings with parties to remember forever.
Also known as Spanish Fortress, Fortica was strategically set high above city of Hvar with cannons and installation that protected from invaders. It has spectacular views of islands, harbor and city. The dreamy place of the main event is the stone terrace which is so high that during the ceremony it feels like you are surrounded by clouds. Connected with the steps with the main Hvar square, the location can be reached by foot or a car.
Beach Club Hvar gives you the best of both worlds – laid-back tranquility and party atmosphere. The ceremony with the sea as the backdrop is followed by the dinner and party at the elegant beachfront venue.
Photo: Martina Skrobot
Istria is the biggest peninsula in The Adriatic on the western part of Croatia. Known for its wine and gastronomy, the region is filled with natural beauties – blue sea, impressive mountains and lush woods. The atmosphere is very intimate and peaceful.
Why is Istria Ideal for a Romantic Wedding?
The region is filled with small charming towns and villages that provide unique historic architecture and a touch of modernity. The locations are peaceful and intimate weather on the countryside or by the sea.
Placed in Bale, Wine Hotel & Winery Meneghetti is a unique classy countryside estate. The villas are a comfortable accommodation for a destination wedding with a multiday experience. There is even a possibility of renting the entire villa and apartment complex for one wedding only.
Red island is small island accessible by a 15min ferry ride from town Rovinj. Right next to the seaside on the island, there is a wonderful 6th century castle Hutterott which is surrounded by lots of greenery, perfect for a dreamy wedding.
Plitvice lakes are named as National park in the year 1949. and are the most visited National Park in Croatia. Breathtaking untouched nature with rich animal life are the main reasons that make this place purely magical.
Natural Beauty of Plitvice
Besides the seaside, the most beautiful untouched nature that Croatia can offer are definitely Plitvice lakes. This National Park filled with many waterfalls, lakes and forests has the perfect setting for a fairytale ceremony which can be placed on a few locations of the National Park.
Challenges and Tips for Plitvice Weddings
Plitvice lakes are made for couples who are true nature lovers. The heels should be saved for after the ceremony is done since some spots require longer walking in nature. To have a full privacy during the ceremony, it is recommended to rent all of the facilities that are placed around the ceremony spot.
Zagreb is a capital the with timeless and classy atmosphere. Rich in cultural heritage, different architectural styles, beautiful parks and welcoming people. Croatia’s capital is very accessible with transport which is always greatly appreciated when coming from abroad.
The largest city in Croatia is magnificent and your guests will have plenty to see while they are visiting. The capital has many historic places and its architecture is the main reflection of that, but the modern times had its artistic impact as well.
Popular Wedding Spots in Zagreb
Gorgeous on the inside as much as the outside, Mimara by night becomes a wedding venue where you can party between historic pillars and arches in a historic 19th century building that now serves as a museum of modern art.
One of the most glamorous hotels in Croatia that every existed, hotel Esplanade opened its door in 1925. as a luxury hotel placed in the very center of Zagreb. Long tradition, beautiful architecture and art deco design attracted many famous visitors of Zagreb throughout history. Weather you want to have a smaller wedding in hotel’s restaurant or larger wedding in a ballroom, Esplanade caters the high luxury in both cases.
The requirements for getting married in Croatia are particular for foreign couples. Getting official married inquires additional expenses and time investment in getting all of the right paperwork.
Paperwork and Legal Process
Depending on the country of residence, Croatia has a certain rule that need to be considered. Those are easier for some countries and trickier for others. The local registrar’s offices ask for issuing birth certificates, confirmations of unmarried status, passports and other similar documents needed.
Best Time to Get Married in Croatia
Croatia is most famous for sun & sea so the outside events during summer are most popular especially when it comes to destination weddings.
Weather and Seasonal Considerations
Since Croatia’s territory is very spread out, there are a few different climates, but mostly the wedding season lasts from early spring until late fall, especially on the coast. The summers are warm and dry, and rarely does a storm with a quick shower show up for a day.
Planning Tips for a Destination Wedding in Croatia
There are many places to choose from, so it is important to choose the right venue first. The venue should suit the best your dream wedding while also considering the comfort of your guests. Having a clear vision helps a lot when picking a place, but if you do not have it, hiring an experienced local wedding planner will narrow your picks to the final one.
Local Vendors, Planners, and Accommodations
Local vendors that have the most experience working, particularly in the location of your interest, should be a priority while hiring. Many accommodation options can cater to the personal style of each couple, from heritage hotels to modern contemporary hotels. Wedding planners are the ones who have the best inside view of the scenes of every location, so their expertise helps a lot. They are there so everything runs seamlessly on the day, and you can truly relax. While being physically far away, hiring a wedding planner’s knowledge saves a significant amount of time in the planning process and makes you relaxed on the wedding day.
Conclusion
Recap of why Croatia is a top wedding destination
Exceptionally gorgeous scenery, mild climate, big cultural heritage, charming atmosphere and diversity of venues are just some of the reasons why Croatia is at the top when it comes to destination weddings. To sum up, Croatia offers a mix of nature’s beauty, history, culture and welcoming hospitality that will make any wedding truly special. Croatia is a place where you can craft a unique and perfect wedding experience.
Here are the top recommendations for an all exclusive experience.
–Villa Dalmacija is a venue with a few ceremony backdrops to choose from weather you are getting married at the pier, woods or in the garden. Welcome drinks, dinner and party are located at the same property where party is allowed until 2AM in full privacy.
–Maslina Resort where everything (venue, catering, accommodation, etc.) is included at the resort itself.
–Menegehetti where spaces for ceremony, dinner, party and accommodation are offered at the same spot.
Our planning package includes full planning service. We like to support our couples from the very first steps of the planning process until the last dance of the wedding day making sure everything runs smoothly.
In a week of the wedding, we meet with our couples in our office and run through all of the plan options in the case of rain. Mostly, the outside locations do not hold a space for a larger number of people in case of rain so hiring a tent might be needed. Locations like Villa Dalmacija already have a space inside so you are always safe there.
