Cue the lights, strike up the band, and set the scene: Dubrovnik, where history whispers through ancient walls, the sun kisses the sea in a perfect farewell each evening, and dreams come to life under the Mediterranean sky. If this sounds like the opening line of a fairytale wedding, then you’re spot on — because that’s exactly what I’ve been crafting for the past 18 years. Let me introduce myself: I’m Ines Nanić, your modern-day fairy godmother with a clipboard, and this is the story of how I turned my love for magic, planning, and love stories into a career as one of Dubrovnik’s leading wedding planners.
It All Started With a Spark
Flashback to 2007. Dubrovnik was already a magnet for travelers, but the wedding scene? Practically untouched. While others admired its beauty as tourists, I saw potential. With a degree in business and a heart full of creativity, I’d always been a sucker for a good party and a hopeless romantic who loved watching happy endings unfold. So when a friend dared me to help organize her party, I thought, Why not? Little did I know, this “Why not?” moment would become my Why.
Building the Dream (With a Few Hiccups Along the Way)
Starting a wedding planning business in Dubrovnik was a bold move. Back then, there was no Pinterest board full of Dubrovnik weddings or Instagram feeds showcasing Adriatic vows. I had to build it all from scratch. Vendors needed to be found, couples had a million questions, and honestly? Sometimes I wasn’t sure myself.
Picture me: juggling contracts, scouting venues, and explaining (for the 10th time) why Croatian bureaucracy makes planning anything an Olympic sport. But with every wedding I planned, I learned. I laughed. And yes, occasionally, I cried. But above all, I fell in love with the process.
Dubrovnik: My Muse, My Stage
Why Dubrovnik, you ask? Easy. It’s not just a city; it’s a mood. It’s where Game of Thrones meets romance, where sunsets feel scripted, and every cobblestone street is an Instagram moment waiting to happen. The city’s timeless elegance inspires every wedding I plan, and I’ve spent years perfecting the art of weaving Dubrovnik’s charm into each couple’s unique vision.
From intimate cliffside elopements to extravagant palace receptions, Dubrovnik offers it all — and I’ve made it my mission to know every hidden gem and every insider tip to make sure no detail is left to chance.
What 18 Years Has Taught Me
Eighteen years in this business feels like both a whirlwind and a masterclass. There’s something special about this milestone. Eighteen: the age of maturity, the coming of age, a moment to reflect on the journey and look ahead to new adventures. In this time, I’ve planned weddings for couples from all over the world, dealt with last-minute rainstorms (and a few meltdowns), and orchestrated everything from romantic surprises to full-blown extravaganzas. And let me tell you: there’s nothing more rewarding than seeing a couple’s faces light up when they see their dream come to life.
But here’s the tea: wedding planning isn’t all champagne toasts and floral arrangements. It’s hustle, heart, and a whole lot of hard work. It’s negotiating with vendors, calming nerves, and making the impossible possible — sometimes on a deadline that would make a Hollywood producer sweat. But that’s what keeps it exciting. No two weddings are the same, and every couple brings a new story to tell.
The Secret Sauce: Passion + Teamwork
Behind every wedding is not just me but a team of incredible people who share my vision and passion. From florists to photographers, chefs to musicians, we’ve built a network of the best in the business, and together, we’ve redefined what it means to have a wedding in Dubrovnik.
In these incredible 18 years, I have built my dream team: Matea, who has been with us for almost a decade and is now an essential part of Dubrovnik Event, and Ora, who has recently discovered her love for planning! We’re not just creating events; we’re creating experiences that couples (and their guests) will never forget.
Looking Ahead
Entering my 18th year in this business, I can confidently say that I’m not slowing down. If anything, I’m just getting started. Trends come and go, but love stories? They’re timeless. And I’m here for all of them — the big, the small, the simple, the over-the-top. Because at the end of the day, my job isn’t just to plan weddings; it’s to create magic.
After all, love may be unpredictable, but your wedding doesn’t have to be.
Until next time,
xoxo,
Ines.