Matea Oberan, Author at Dubrovnik Event

The Menu.

Good Morning Wedding Lovers!

We continue with another week of yours truly giving you valuable tips and tricks of the trade.

Your wedding day is a celebration of love, and every detail should reflect your unique style and personality. When it comes to planning your wedding, the menu is an essential aspect that deserves special attention. Presenting your menu in a creative and visually appealing way can elevate the dining experience for your guests and add an extra touch of elegance to your special day.

Now, let us give you some pointers to help you make your mind up, closing down to your wedding day. When designing your menu, try to keep close to your personal style as a couple because it will feel much more familiar and emotional to you. Also think about the food you will be serving, the shapes, the colors and find something that will suit it best. Lastly, try in some way to incorporate the wedding venue, keep in mind that Dubrovnik has a lot of traditional and romantic venues that could be presented on the menu.

Photo: Camilla J. Harts

Types of menus differ in a lot of ways, the way you display them to the way you design them. Some types are:

Customized Menus – One of the simplest yet effective ways to present your wedding menu is by designing custom menus that match your wedding theme and personal decor. Consider incorporating your wedding colors, motifs, or even monograms into the menu design. You can print individual menus for each guest or display a large, beautifully framed menu at the entrance of the reception area for everyone to see.

Interactive Displays – Engage your guests with interactive displays that allow them to explore and choose their desired menu items. Create a visually stunning wall or board with different food options and accompanying descriptions. Using decorative pins or magnets, guests can select their preferences. This adds an element of fun and encourages conversation among guests as they discuss their choices.

Tabletop Displays – Incorporate your menu into the table setting by using unique presentation methods. Place individual menus inside elegantly folded napkins or attach them to creatively designed place cards. You can also consider using edible menus, such as personalized cookies or chocolate bars with the menu details engraved on them. These edible delights not only serve as a delightful surprise but also act as a sweet treat for your guests.

Photo: Mihoci Studios

Interactive Digital Menus – Embrace technology and create a digital menu experience for your guests. Set up interactive screens or tablets at each table, allowing guests to browse through the menu options, view food photos, and even read chef’s recommendations. This approach adds a modern touch to your wedding while providing an immersive and personalized dining experience.

Multi-course Surprise – If you want to add an element of surprise to your wedding menu, consider presenting each course in a unique and unexpected way. For example, you can serve an amuse-bouche as a pre-course palate cleanser in small, decorative shot glasses. Another idea is to serve a signature cocktail as an intermezzo between courses, refreshing the guests’ palates and enhancing the overall dining experience.

Themed Food Stations – Create a culinary journey for your guests by setting up themed food stations that reflect your favorite cuisines or destinations. Use decorative signs and props to indicate the different stations, and include small menu cards at each station describing the dishes and their ingredients. This interactive approach allows guests to explore various flavors while immersing themselves in the ambiance of each culinary experience.

Your wedding menu is an opportunity to showcase your personal style as a couple and give people some insight into who you will be as a married couple…it will surely delight your guests and make for a memorable dining experience. As we love seeing people entry their married life together, we have seen a lot of personal styles coming together which makes it so much more special seeing it come to life. Dubrovnik gives that special “umf” to your style, the tradition and pure natural beauty makes everything shine better.

That’s it for now dear reader… cheers to love!

A comprehensive guide to tracking RSVPs

To all our dear followers, clients and readers welcome to another week of new wedding tips and tricks…Let me tell you something you should be thinking about in your planning stages of your Dubrovnik wedding. While planning a wedding involves countless details, one critical aspect is managing the guest list and RSVPs.

Tracking RSVPs ensures you have an accurate headcount, allowing you to plan seating arrangements, finalize catering orders, and create a memorable experience for everyone attending. In this blog post, we will guide you through an effective approach to tracking RSVPs for your wedding, making the process streamlined and stress-free.

Firstly, start by creating a preliminary Guest List: compile a guest list that includes family, friends, and acquaintances you wish to invite to your wedding, or anyone that comes to your mind in the moment, remember it is preliminary . Organize it into categories (e.g., family, friends, work colleagues) to simplify the list for later.

Photo: Camilla J. Harts

Set finalized Guest List and Send Invitations: Once you have your guest list ready, send out beautiful wedding invitations well in advance. Provide clear instructions for RSVPing, including the deadline and preferred methods of response (e.g., email, website, phone). Consider online RSVP tools, such as wedding websites like TTO (That’s The One) or dedicated apps, to make the process more convenient for your guests. *A tip is to send them up to 8 months before, to give more than enough time for everyone to respond before the final deadline to save you some nerves and get your guests excited about your wedding.

Implement a System: Establish a systematic method to track RSVPs and their responses. Some of your options could be:

Traditional RSVP Cards: Include pre-stamped and addressed RSVP cards with your invitations, allowing guests to respond via mail. Create a tracking system to record the responses as they arrive.
Online RSVP: Set up a wedding website with an RSVP feature, the one website we absolutely loveee is TTO (That’s The One) it enabling guests to respond online with all details included, regarding their plus ones and more.
Phone or Email RSVPs: For guests who prefer a more personal touch, provide a dedicated phone number or email address for RSVPs. Is case you would have to again, create a spreadsheet or document to track their responses.

Photo: Nina Anić

Set a Deadline for your Guests: Sometimes your guests get a little bit…relaxed, and they need to be reminded to get things done. You need to specify a clear RSVP deadline that gives them time to respond while allowing you to make necessary arrangements in time. Ideally, set the deadline a few weeks before your wedding day to provide room for follow-ups with non-responders.

Finally, follow-up with Non-Responders: As the deadline approaches, it’s common to have some guests who haven’t RSVPed yet. Reach out to these guests through email, phone calls, or text messages to confirm their attendance, be ready to handle with care and a bottle of wine to ease the headache…

Once you are done with pushing everyone to respond… you can finally relax and enjoy in the idea of your beautiful Dubrovnik wedding with all your close friends and family having the best time of their lives.

Viva La Color!

Viva La Color!

Welcome back my dears and a happy Thursday!

We are in a new year, new trends, new stories and new people… We are opening a new season of love and our favourite… WEDDINGS! We believe that every couple this season has a special story to tell, and you can expect to be the ones to hear all about it! In the following season on this Blog, you can expect heart throbbing stories form our clients, from the lovely story of how they first met to the chills they felt before their big day.

We will give you a unique insight into our lives and our lovely team this year, you will get to deep dive into Dubrovnik itself with us. Additionally, we would like to show you more about what we do and how our team of women manage to do it all!

Now, Season 2023….

We can tell you one thing for sure and that is that 2022 trends are gone. Gone are the days of muted and pastel colour palettes dominating wedding ceremonies. Instead, expect to see couples embracing bright and playful palettes and flavours. These things are sure to add energy and excitement to your event and will leave a lasting impression on your guests.

Photo by Danilo i Sharon

Maximalist design is one theme that is keeping in trend this summer, from extravagant flower arrangements, bold tableware and grasping luxurious ceremony settings. This means incorporating more layers, patterns, and textures into the decor and overall aesthetic of the day.

Along with maximalist design, sustainability is also expected to play a larger role in 2023 weddings. Couples are leaning towards eco-friendly and ethical choices when it comes to everything from flower arrangements to catering, in an effort to reduce their carbon footprint.

Photo by Danilo i Sharon

Another trend that is predicted to become more popular is alternative wedding dress styles. Expect to see more brides opting for coloured, printed, or even metallic dresses instead of traditional white gowns. Grooms are also getting in on the trend by experimenting with statement suits in bright hues or bold patterns.

Photo by Danilo i Sharon

All in all, 2023 is shaping up to be a year of bright colors, bold designs, eco-friendly choices and good times! Whether you’re planning your own big day or attending as a guest, these trends are sure to make for an unforgettable wedding experience.

When to schedule speeches?

The moments that can get quite emotional after you two saying “I do”. Yes, those are the speeches. Your father, husband and his best man are usually those who hold a speech most of the time. But when is the best time to schedule them? Where here to help you incorporate those into your wedding dinner.

Long and emotional or short and quirky, speeches are there to remember all the fun times you had with each other. It’s the time when you thank people you love, you share stories, and you say what is on your mind and in your heart. (Prepare the tissues and raise your glasses).

Your guests are seated and are having fun while waiting for the lovebirds to enter the dinner venue. You came all happy, your fave song is playing in the background as your MC announces your grand entrance. You two sit down at the top table and the time starts now.

Usually, we really recommend having your speeches right away, meaning, before the dinner starts. You want the people who are holding speeches not to feel nervous. The nervousness is likely to happen when they have to wait for their turn to hold the speech. That’s why it is better to have your people speak right away, not in between meals. They will not enjoy their food as much if they have to wait, their nervousness will only build up etc. Basically, they will not be able to enjoy the moments in the same manner as they would if the speech is done and already said.

I think we all agree that you want all your guests to feel comfortable and with ease. Scheduling the speeches before the dinner starts is the best way to make sure that all of them will be performed in the way they wanted to. Relaxed and content. Without any stress involved. It is not easy to hold a speech and stand up in front of everyone. For some of them it is probably the first time they have to speak in front of a larger group. Of course, It can be nerve wracking. So, it is better to get on the speeches right away and get it over with.

That way you’ll make the best scenario possible for your people who hold the speech to enjoy their dinner and the rest of the night to the fullest. Making your wedding more enjoyable and comfortable for everyone. It shows that you care for them and how they feel in specific moments that put them in the spotlight. It’s the slightest details that matter and make your most special day flow how it is supposed to.

Soooo, the speeches should be scheduled first. At least that’s what we kindly recommend, it is your wedding after all, you choose! 🙂

3 reasons for including a boat cruise at your wedding

Dubrovnik is a city that literally “floats” on the sea. It is lying down beautifully on the crystal-clear Adriatic Sea, that changes its colors depending on the weather. From dark blue when the “Bura” wind hits, to light blue early in the morning when catching first rays of sunshine. Can you imagine yourself cruising through?

Having a boat cruise at your wedding feels like an introduction to the wedding reception. But, on sea. Whether you are all for it, or totally against it, I’ll leave that decision up to you. But let me tell you 3 reasons why you should cruise down the Adriatic on your wedding day.

Transfer preferences – I may be wrong, but during summer it is much more enjoyable to have a boat transfer you from your ceremony to the reception venue. Depending on which venues you choose, of course, sometimes the boat serves for transferring you and your guests to another venue. Other times, it serves for just being an enjoyable cruise around the town after your ceremony is done. While you’re on the coast, use the transportation accordingly 😊

WOW factor – Not many people have experienced Dubrovnik and its surrounding from the sea. Usually, people are walking along its city walls, visiting museums, bars, and restaurants. Also, getting lost in its narrow picturesque streets. Having a boat cruise then is something new and exciting you get to experience with your loved ones. Seeing how the waves hit the city from outside, seeing the island Lokrum and its deep green colored vegetation. The fort Lovrijenac growing from the sea level. And, whether your reception is in Cavtat or maybe on the island of Koločep you get to see all the little bays and reefs, the coastline, the lighthouses, islands, and the horizon of course. Honestly, I think that if you don’t lift your head up at all and just look at and into the sea, it’s an experience on its own.

History – Dubrovnik was one of the largest and most important trade cities on the Mediterranean. The fleet that Dubrovnik had was something that even larger countries like England were envy of. Now, imagine you and your wedding guests cruising along in a replica of a trade ship from centuries ago. Or a bit smaller traditional dalmatian boat. It would be so special to enjoy a glass of your favorite drink, while listening to music. Having an amazing time while cruising along and hearing the sound of waves.

I believe all of this sounds very appealing, am I right? Oh yes, yes, I am.

P.S.

This boat cruise can also be a secret only you and I share. Your guests don’t need to know that they’re just about to see another side of Dubrovnik. But they’ll thank you afterwards! Just wait and see it for yourself. Are we ready to plan your entire wedding now?

Do you need live musicians at your wedding?

It really depends on what you prefer as a couple. Remember, only listen to yourselves, not your aunts, cousins, friends etc. It is YOUR wedding, and you should decide whether to have live musicians or not.

Music is a very important factor at a wedding, it really follows all stages of a wedding day. And it should be like that! The music is created to put people in better mood, to keep them moving, smiling, dancing, boosting their Serotonin levels up! And we do want them to enjoy, they’re your favorite people in this world, celebrating your most special day in Dubrovnik with you.

Starting with the obvious, ceremony music. Where we have the live cello/violin or even piano players, playing (or singing) your favorite song as you walk down the aisle. Putting everyone in their feels, they’re getting a bit emotional and so are you… Stop it…You’re going to mess up your makeup!

Anyways, yes, back to music!

You can have live musicians on the boat cruise in between your ceremony and reception. How amazing is that? I’ll tell you. It will wow your guests, they will be talking about it years and years afterwards. The boat cruise on its own it something that brings joy and pleasure to the guests, they are more relaxed now, the sun is shining, you’re having a drink (or two) and you’re cruising on the most gorgeous Adriatic Sea. What a day so far, ha? Love it.

The boat cruise was delightful, the light breeze from the sea is something that they didn’t know they needed. The mood is set, your guests are approaching the reception venue.

Their energy will get even higher if they see a band or a live musician playing. They’ll always keep the dance floor full, that’s a guarantee!

The next option is having a great DJ plus a sax player. Oooooh! Yes, it does sound good. Nothing better than the sax player performance and the sound that perfectly contributes to the summer feel as you’re having your cold drink. That’s heaven right there, and you’re living in it.

Either way, having some sort of music is mandatory, we can agree on that. But live music adds to the experience. Whether you’re having them play your favorite songs or you hired a traditional Linđo ensemble to surprise your guests with music and dance closely linked to this region.

When having live musicians, they contribute to your overall experience with their performance and their individual and personalized approach. Each concert is unique, and we know that. Whether it is a sax player accompanying the DJ or the entire band in front of you. It will be a wedding to remember!

P.S.

You can also have just a DJ on the boat cruise (and reception) or you can put your own music on the speakers. Do as you like. We’re not here to persuade, we’re here to inform 😊But, hire a band or a live player. Just to see how sweaty they can get as they perform. Lol.

Traditional vs unexpected songs to walk down the aisle to

Ohhh, the moment we’ve all been waiting for. You, my dear, are walking down the aisle towards your man. But hey! You’re not walking down in silence (thank God), you’re walking along the sounds and rhythm of your favorite song. Whether that is something traditional or something more unique and not seen (heard) before. Music sets the mood of the event. It’s easier for your guests to burst in tears (haha), it really contributes to people getting more emotional. We can all agree that soundtracks in movies lift the whole scene up to another level. It just seems like a background noise but it’s something worth paying your attention to.

Let’s face it, it will give you more confidence as you are walking. Maybe you’ll get a better posture. Shoulders back, chin up! And from the inside you’re thinking “Yes, I’m beautiful. I have my hair and makeup done. My dress is gorgeous, and this is my time to shine.” It’s like on the show Dancing with the stars but this time you’re the star! (Ask your dad, he’ll confirm) 😊

If you prefer songs that are more traditional. Hence make you more confident and are aligned with your preferred vibes. Here is the list of songs you might consider.

Ave Maria – Schubert
The Wedding March – Felix Mendelssohn
Bridal Chorus – Richard Wagner
Canon in D – Johann Pachelbel
Can’t help falling in love – Any version
Johann Sebastian Bach – Air on G String
The Four Seasons: Spring – Antonio Vivaldi
Cello suite No.1 – Bach
The swan – Saint-Saens
Water music (Air) – Handel

If you’re leaning more towards the modern side or want to walk down the aisle with a song that will be an unexpected little surprise. You might take a look at these:

Make you feel my love – Adele
Elton John – Your song
Time after time – Iron & Wine
La Vie En Rose – Emilly Watts
When you believe – Mariah Carey & Whitney Houston
When a man loves a woman – Percy Sledge
Bloom – Paper Kites
Crazy love – Michael Buble
Somewhere only we know – Keane
Latch – Sam Smith

It doesn’t really matter which type of a person you are as long as there’s beautiful music following you as you walk down to say, “I do”. The soundtrack of your special day, or of your movie should I say?

Tips on how to write your own vows

Something that makes everyone go “Awww” not only the person standing in front of you. Yes, those are your vows. It is absolutely true that some have more talent than others in the way how they express their emotions through writing. Ultimately it is what you said, not how you said it, so don’t stress out about it that much. Just be you, people invited are your closest ones, they’ll notice when you start using words that you’ve never used before. It will probably make you feel uncomfortable. Avoid that, stay true to yourself and be confident.

What will also boost your confidence is following these few tips when writing your vows. So, let’s begin.

Understand that it’s impossible to include everything – You’ve surely had gazillion moments together that are worth remembering. From your first date, learning how to drive, accidents in the restaurant, to different party experiences etc. You cannot mention it all otherwise your Priest might take a break and go sit behind the Altar. Focus on communicating the emotions that you’ve felt while being present in those moments.

2. Be unique – Avoid writing things you’re used to hearing in movies. Even though it is nice to have a quote that hits the “soft spot”, make the remaining part of the text really your own. It’s your time to shine, make the best use out of it. Honestly writing down your own words that come straight from the heart is a hundred times more personal (even if it’s shorter), than having all these fancy cliché looking sentences.

3. Include a bit of humor – It’s always nice to crack a few laughs. Especially in this moment when both of you are a bit nervous. It comes as a great balance between being serious and sentimental. Such a roller-coaster of emotions. One moment you’re crying next thing you know your cheeks hurt from laughing. LOVE IT!

4. If you’re like me and while casually walking around the grocery store you remember what you could have said in the argument the other day, then, write down your thoughts right away!! How many times such perfect sentences get lost because we don’t remember them and don’t have anywhere to write them down. Such a shame. Where are they now? Having a perfect party? Ughhh…

5. Plan it ahead – Yes, I’m looking at you procrastinator! If you’re usually used to doing this in the last moment, please change your habits for this. You’ll be much more relaxed, and the words will come out naturally. Nothing great is created from stressful situations. Take your time.

6. Read it out loud (to yourself or to a friend) –Hearing your words versus seeing them makes you catch mistakes. You can then word it differently. Change and move the parts to make the flow sound better. You can also practice your reading, emphasize the pauses. Adjust the tone of your voice. Stand straight and be confident.

There’s nothing to worry about, you’ll excel it. Let your words come from your soul but include just a bit of brain to make it sound better😊 You two already know how you feel towards each other, but it’s nice to hear it. Be prepared to melt away.

2 pros and 2 cons of doing a first look

Doing a first look is something that is often debatable whether to have it or not. It is really about preferences of the couple and something that you two should discuss between each other. Don’t listen to anyone telling you what to do, or how you should behave. It is YOUR wedding day and do as you like.

With or without doing a first look, you will have the most amazing wedding day. After all, you’re having your wedding in beautiful Dubrovnik. 😊

So, let us begin with the “negative” side or the cons…

First con, and the most obvious/controversial one is that – you lose having your first look at the Altar. Grandma, buckle up your seat belt, we’re taking off! (haha) Seriously now, she or some other more “traditional” guests might feel sorry that you won’t wait for that special moment to happen in front of the Altar or at the ceremony venue. Besides them, some couples really do take a lot of time and consideration whether to have a first look, since they want to make the walking down the aisle as special and emotional as it gets. Or should I say raw. Majority of people associate weddings with the fact that the groom gets to see his bride (for the first time) as she is walking towards him in her white dress. It is up to you to break those stereotypes, or maybe not… P.S. No one even needs to know that you’ve already seen each other.

2. Your wedding day might start earlier now -With having your first look before the ceremony, obviously you’ll have to think about getting up earlier than you planned to. Which is fine if you’re an early bird. But oh boy if you’re a night owl! You should consider getting to bed in some reasonable hours to get your beauty sleep. We all know that having enough sleep highly affects our stress levels but also our under-eye bags. We clearly do not need those!

We’re not here to overwhelm you, so doing 2 of each will be enough, agree? Moving on to the positive sides and we do love those (unlike the under eye bags). 😊

First pro is – having some alone time with your loved one. While you’re the only ones being there, the emotions are shared just among you two. And that’s just beautiful. The sheer love and intimacy that is being felt is clearly something that you’ll remember forever. It’s just you two and that’s what matters after all. You’ll also feel more relaxed now while walking down the aisle (or waiting at the Altar) since you released all the nerves beforehand.

2. The second one – You can get amazing photos bursting with your emotions! And maybe a tear will mingle its way through. It is a lot easier for you (especially if you’re an introvert) to show your true emotions when there’s not many people around. Making your photos a true representation of your inner state at that moment. As well as you’ll save time this way with doing your shoot before the ceremony so you can spend more time with your guests after it. Enjoying drinks and just being relaxed and content.

There’s much more to add but we’ll leave it as it is. Think through it and do as you please. It is your wedding day, remember! You should be at ease.

5 tips on how to stay stress free on your wedding day

We’ve all seen numerous shows on hectic “bridezillas” and probably the first thing that comes to your mind when someone mentions stress on the wedding day are those scenes and images.

It’s totally normal to behave in a certain way, we all have different personalities, and it is important to understand that every bride is different and more (or less) demanding than the other.

Before we jump in into how to manage stress on your wedding day, we’ll cover how stress impacts our regular daily lives. Once again, every person is different, and stress doesn’t have an equal impact on everybody. It is also manifested differently among every individual (it is all really depending on the situation) I can feel more stress than you do and we’re in the same situation. Looks like you handle it better and don’t think of this situation as that big of a deal, whereas I clearly do. And that’s OK.

From a more scientific standpoint from the American Psychological Association “Stress affects all systems of the body including the musculoskeletal, respiratory, cardiovascular, endocrine, gastrointestinal, nervous, and reproductive systems.” Meaning, muscles tense up, we are out of breath, our blood pressure rises and what not. It is not really something to look forward to when you’re about to say, “I do”.

How to prevent that from happening? Well, we’re glad you asked 😊

So, my dear, here are 5 tips on how to stay stress free on your wedding day.

First and probably most important step is to hire a wedding planner – This step enables you to be sure that everything will be executed just like you’ve imagined. Worrying is a big contributor to the rising stress levels and anxiety. We all know that weddings require a lot of detailed planning. Having someone with whom you’ve already went through the whole process multiple times will make you feel more relaxed and calmer. The basis of reducing stress is the feeling of knowing that everything is under control.

2. Don’t follow the “rules” ” – It is known that on a wedding day it is all about the bride & groom. You know that all eyes will be set on you. You don’t need to have a bunch of people around you when you’re getting ready. It is totally fine to have just a few people you feel calm and relaxed around, those who you always feel good around. Those that always have good advice and those who have an amazing energy.

3. Don’t skip on food – Don’t worry, you’ll fit into the dress even if you have a good breakfast. No, seriously now. Don’t neglect the importance of having something in your stomach. Here in Croatia, we don’t do anything on an empty stomach you know. It’s a crime! And also, hydrate. You’ll feel more focused and relaxed. Our brain and gut are so closely linked. You wouldn’t believe how are our thoughts affecting the gut and its lining.

Have some alone time with your partner – Even if it’s hiring a separate transfer from the ceremony to the reception venue. Or, sneaking away from the party for a couple of minutes. Do it! You two are finally a husband and wife and having those minutes for just the two of you will feel so soothing and relaxing for both of you. So intimate, immersed in the feels…

Breathe and meditate – Or don’t. But make sure to be present and grounded. Don’t let your thoughts wander around your head leaving toxic marks. The time that you lose while being stressed is the time you’ve lost that could have been filled with positive thinking. And we sure cannot turn back time. Enjoy every moment, don’t let stress win. It’s your day not his!