Discover our highlighted step-by-step guideline
on how to plan your destination wedding in Croatia
Destination weddings – the rise in popularity
Destination weddings are more popular than ever, with many couples choosing to tie the knot abroad for a truly unique celebration. According to ZOLA 2025 report, it is expected that 32% of all weddings will be destination weddings, which further highlights the growing popularity of the trend.
Why are destination weddings so popular? More than ever, couples are seeking unique and personal experiences, creating one-of-a-kind celebrations that truly reflect who they are. Destination weddings offer something special for both couples and guests, providing a memorable setting and an elevated shared experience. In addition, online booking platforms and the rise of affordable airlines have made traveling and planning abroad easier than ever. Couples are also increasingly drawn to non-traditional ways to say “I do” — from choosing distinctive venues to designing unforgettable experiences where guests can not only celebrate with them but also enjoy a vacation at the same time.
Destination wedding in Croatia – top places to consider
Popular destination wedding places in Croatia include Dubrovnik, Istria, Hvar, Split, Vis and Brac. Croatia offers numerous destination wedding opportunities and locations to get married in, from intimate chapels, and seaside ceremony venues, to magnificent castles and palaces. Check out our list of top wedding venues to consider in Croatia as well as our guide on how to plan a wedding in Croatia.
Tips to help you plan your destination wedding in Croatia
Here are our top tips that will help you plan your destination wedding in Croatia:
Number one priority – book your wedding planner
Usually booking your wedding planner 12 to 18 months before your wedding day is ideal. This will give you enough time to plan everything and go through all the little fine details so you can have a successful celebration. Your wedding planner will also advise you and provide valuable information on wedding venues in Croatia.
Explore wedding venues – Do research and explore wedding venues in Croatia that best match your style and vision. Couples can choose from beautiful beachfront venues to historical chapels and palaces along Croatian coast. When choosing a wedding venue, it’s important to balance your budget with your vision and style. Keep in mind that your venue is often the biggest wedding expense, so make sure it aligns with what you truly want.
Define your budget
Your budget is one of the most important aspects of wedding planning, so make sure to draft it early in the process. Being more specific in the beginning will make it easier for you during the planning process. Define what is important to you as a couple and make sure to highlight your priorities.
Book your venue and confirm the date
Once you’ve chosen your ideal venue and hired your wedding planner, ask about date availability and secure your booking as soon as possible. This ensures you have everything in place to send out your save the dates. Your wedding planner, confirmed date and booked wedding venue are the three essentials you should have before sending out invitations.
Legal or symbolic ceremony –Decide on the type of wedding ceremony you would like to have. Legal ceremony usually requires more administrative work and is more expensive; on contrary to the symbolic one, which doesn’t require much work and is more affordable. Also, with the legal ceremony, you are obliged to have an official translator with you at the ceremony, since in Croatia all ceremonies are organized in Croatian, and being simultaneously translated to English.
Book your team of vendors – book your wedding vendors on time; we suggest to book photographer, make up artist and hair stylist, and decoration vendors early in the planning process.
Wedding day timeline
Define your wedding day timeline. Together with your wedding planner, outline the full management plan for your wedding—timelines, tasks, and activities—to ensure every detail is organized and completed on time. With a clear timeline and action plan, you’ll have a complete overview of your wedding tasks, helping you bring your dream wedding vision to life.
Send out invites
With destination weddings, sending out save the date & invites on time is important as it gives your guests enough time to RSVP and plan their arrival to Croatia.
Define the look and design of your ceremony & reception Decoration and all the little details that matter the most for your destination wedding in Croatia. Create a mood board and take your time exploring ideas so you can understand what you like—and what you don’t – both are equally important. Browse Pinterest and Instagram for unique styles, color palettes, and design inspiration that reflect your vision.
Action plan Get the action plan going and start talking through everything you’ll need to bring your wedding vision to life.
Book your honeymoon in Croatia
There are many amazing honeymoon destinations in Croatia so why not explore Croatia’s magnificent coastline? Take a look at Chic Croatia’s 5 most romantic honeymoon destinations in Croatia.
It’s time to celebrate
Let’s pop the champagne and let the celebrations begin!
Schedule a complimentary consultation and let’s start bringing your vision to life. Drop us an email or use the form to get in touch.