Legal procedure and validity of your wedding abroad
If you decide for a wedding abroad in Croatia - no matter from where you arrive, you will be issued an international wedding certificate. Documentation details vary from country to country, however: birth certificate, no impediment statement and yours and witnesses passports are generally enough for a full valid civil marriage in Croatia.Compared to some other European countries there is no need to stay in Croatia more than two days before your wedding day. This simplifies things a lot, actually the only thing you have to do personally before your wedding day in Croatia is a very short interview (about 10 minutes).
Ceremony is performed according to Croatian law and it cannot be interrupted. Custom readings that are sometimes required by couples may take place only before or after the official part of the ceremony in over.
When to plan your wedding abroad in Croatia
Regarding the weather: any time from April to early October will be fine. For really stable weather (almost no chance of rain) head for a period between 15th June and 15th September. For still-good-weather-period go for April, May or late September or early October.
If you decide on a wedding in Dubrovnik and you like concerts, plays and other events go for July or first half of August when there is a Dubrovnik Summer Festival taking place.
If you decide on a wedding in Dubrovnik and you like concerts, plays and other events go for July or first half of August when there is a Dubrovnik Summer Festival taking place.
Spend your honeymoon in Croatia too
Wedding abroad in Croatia would not be such a good deal without this option. Suppose you are getting married in Dubrovnik and you spend there a few days. Best thing you can do is to head up north for your honeymoon: Island of Mljet is amazing (national park), Islands of Lopud or Sipan are close to Dubrovnik - very nice. Korcula and Hvar are theri own worlds - each worth of 5 days stay.Head up to island of Pag if you wish to party day and night.
You had enoghh sea already? head to Plitvice Lakes up north and spend a few days there (brings a great refreshment in summer) - this way you may take the plane trip back to your land from Zagreb.
Pre-wedding and post-wedding events
Explore the region (and Croatia) diversity. Let's suppose you have a wedding ceremony on one of the historic places like Sponza Palace (or churches?). The day before you can go for something completely different: a nice full-day cruise through Elafiti Islands (with a lot of sun and good baths at places that will be for you and your guest only. E.g. after the Wedding day in Dubrovnik you may organize a nice BBQ or relaxed dinner someplace in Konavle region (south from Dubrovnik, half hour ride).
Find a good wedding planner
Unless you have a great deal of time and at least some basic experience of organizing an event (bigger than a birthday party, :) you can do without the planner. An average wedding has at least 15 different suppliers that need to be selected. Any wedding planner that is in business for a longer time has a list of proven partners able to carry out their part of duty without a mistake. Wedding planner will close the bookings for you, settle the bills, will be on the filed making sure it all goes well - and you can have a relaxing day. Wedding planner will not permit herself bad job from suppliers and suppliers will go for highest quality of their services because they need wedding planners to get them
Book your guests at least a short boat ride
In Croatia it's all about the sea. Crystal clear waters of Adriatic is something that attract the travelers here for the big part. For your wedding abroad in Croatia, book at least 1-2 hours ride, with a few glasses of drinks - you may do this always between your wedding ceremony and reception event.
Some of your guests may get sea sick? Rent a small boat for you to arrive at the reception place after the ceremony or pick a nice night ride that will bring you back to hotel after the wedding reception is over.
Some of your guests may get sea sick? Rent a small boat for you to arrive at the reception place after the ceremony or pick a nice night ride that will bring you back to hotel after the wedding reception is over.
How to reduce costs of your wedding in Croatia
This is a tip-list of its own. I will list how-to-reduce-costs-tips here in order of importance:- Avoid high season months: July and August: you'll save on accommodation
- If you cannot afford 5*. search for 4* places - e.g. in Dubrovnik there are a few very decent 4*
- Chase group accommodation discounts (the best is to do so in collaboration with your planner so she/he can take care of bookings, additional info, etc... and the price you will pay will stay the same or lower than when booking directly - so you get support for free.
- It's not a problem if you cannot afford 4* place - go for good self catering apartments - there are plenty of them in Dubrovnik
- For you dinner reception do not order wines in restaurant, go for out-sourced wines and corkage fee
- Book early, both: accommodation and flights
What will make your guests to attend your wedding in Croatia
Wedding abroad in Croatia, brings an extra value compared to other Mediterranean countries. Croatian coast is not devastated by mass tourism resorts (like Spain), has lower prices than Italy or France and diversity and rich historical heritage that you can compare even to Greece.
What sorts of wedding venues there are in Croatia
From sea view terraces with 5* or 4* service, nice gardens, forts, boats historic palaces to relaxed beach wedding venues.
