Weddings in Croatia: kolovoza 2013

Hi there, it's so great to be back from almost two days trip to Island of Mljet. I've been giving a hand to Kristina Skvrce (wedding planner from Dubrovnik) and the rest of her team to organize a great event for dear bride Anna and great groom Frank (these are not real names - just to keep it private).

So,how were the things going seen through my eyes. Here is the schedule for the day.

4:00 AM
Getting up. Still dark. Kike went to her decoration store to pick up flowers and stuff that needed to stay under air condition all night - just to have it all nice and fresh for Anna and Frank when we get on the island.

5:00 AM
Breakfast

5:30 AM
We put last stuff in the car (wow, it was loaded full). There is some sunlight, although sun is still hidden by Srdj mountain. We fired up the engine of 1.2l Citroen. The goal was to catch up the ferry at 7:00 AM sailing out from Peljesac.

6:35 AM
Arrived in harbour. Grabbed two coffees on the run.

6:45 AM
Hair and makeup stylist joins us in the harbor.

6:50 AM
Car (and we) on ferry.

7:05 AM
First shot. Sun is still low, announcement of a brilliant day.

Sun's getting up, Island of Mljet wedding preparation

7:15 AM
Having a chat on board. Discussing last details of the schedule today.

Having an early morning chat while traveling for a wedding event on Island of Mljet

7:55 AM (first ride, bringing wedding planner to wedding venue)
Off from ferry, hitting the bumpy road on Island Of Mljet. It's been a while since my last visit (more than 10 years actually). I was checking Google Maps for the distance between Sobra and Pomena, we should be there in 35 minutes or so.
Ana stayed in the harbor for a coffee, the car is so full that we cannot all get in. I'll make a second ride, promising Ana picking her up in less than an hour.

7:35 AM
Parked just in front of hotel, most of the people still sleep. A good chance to block main road and do things fastly. one, two three, here we are - all stuff at the venue

7:40 AM (second ride - getting Ana to hotel)
Hitting the road again. Ana here I come to pick you up and get your big suitcase for makeup and hair!!!

8:25 AM (third ride with Ana "on board")
Reaching the Odisej Hotel, although there is some traffic now. Most of the people are awake. Polace road gets busy, this slows us down much.

9:15 AM
Took some water and juice... did already something like 80 km of local road.

09:45 AM (flowers for the reception tables almost ready)

Wedding dinner decoration, one table - from zero to full

11:00 AM (on the way to island of St. Mary where the wedding will take place)

Now a few details from the St. Mary islet while waiting for Kike to setup the church decoration for the wedding.

Monastery on St. Mary islet, wedding on island of Mljet

Melita restaurant, Island of Mljet

12:00 PM (getting back to land, well... island)

01:00 PM (had some quick lunch)
Got to know the bride Anna. Very nice and relaxed. Speaks 4 languages fluently: Spanish, Swedish, English and Croatian.

02:00 PM (dinner tables)

03:00 PM (DJ is here)

Mljet wedding reception, venue half way ready for the dinner/party

03:30 PM (hitting the road again)

Rides required to bring all suppliers and stuff for a wedding on island of Mljet

Now driving towards Okuklje, a really small place, quiet, amazing position.
OK, so let's see how many rides there are. I really start to get know Mljet's roads better now.

04:15 PM

Climbing up, reaching hill peak, Okuklje

Towards Okuklje. What an amazing road.

04:25 PM
Okuklje, got down to the sea, what an amazing place to take a bath while waiting for a fast boat with priest.

Okuklje as seen from the mountain

04:55 PM
Still in Okuklje. Priest not arriving yet - starting to get worried a bit, anyway taking another bath.

Crystal clear waters of Adriatic, Okuklje, Mljet wedding story

05:20 PM
The priest arrived with a fast boat, quickly heading back to car and hitting the road once more. Great company of Henry (not a real name of priest) during 45 minutes drive on wild roads of Mljet. Chating about software, Rome, Mljet, Ana and Frank, Dubrovnik, Cavtat.Really pleasant conversation, great guy!

Cannot do otherwise but sharing another photo of the Mljet road.

06:00 PM
Got safely to national park dock to St. Mary Islet.

06:05 PM
Another Pomena-Sobra ride, now with Ana (hair stylist on board, :)

07:45 PM
Cellist and priest with me in the car, while heading again east, to Okuklje again - fast boat is there.

08:20 PM
Musician and priest left island of Mljet (taking fast boat to Dubrovnik Gruz). Ideal time for the last bath today in Okuklje, before heading back to Pomena: