“The Feeling”
We get a lot of questions on our roles as wedding planners. “Your job is so stressful!”, “How do you do this?” “How does it feel?” -Now, instead of giving you a long and somewhat boring usual answer, we wanted to let you in on The Felling. In this one, you get to follow our day like a story – through feelings, let us know if you feel it by the end.
The quiet before the storm—a moment we cherish, with final sips of our morning coffee it is time to prepare for the wedding day! Planners day begins with making sure all vendors know where they need to be, by what time and making sure they know what they are doing ( this is crucial), checking details such as latest weather reports, and give soft-spoken directives to other team members working on the day. Today is not just any day. Today, two people that have become our dear friends in planning will stand at the heart of Dubrovnik, and make a promise. And it is our job to ensure that everything around them—every flower, every light, every subtle note of music—reflects the grandeur of that promise.
The Canvas of Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik, with its labyrinthine streets and timeless beauty, is not just a city—it is a canvas. Each wedding here is a brushstroke on that canvas, blending history, romance, and elegance into a masterpiece that will be remembered forever.
Today’s wedding is set in Sponza Palace, suspended between tradition and modern life. Sponza, the beauty of our town, is home to so many ‘I do’s’, I bet she knows them all… The grandeur of this location is humbling, yet it demands a kind of restraint. Everything must be in harmony with this natural beauty, enhancing it without overwhelming it.
Photo – DT Studio
The challenge is always the same: to create a world within a world, a moment that feels eternal in a place that already defies time.
The Art of Preparation
Weeks, months—even years—of preparation have led to this day. The countless discussions with the couple, the meticulous planning of every detail, from the softness of the linen table tops to the precise shade of white for the roses. Each decision has been carefully woven into the fabric of the event, creating a tapestry that will unfold over the course of a single day.
But no amount of preparation can prepare for the unpredictable. As wedding planners, we are artists, but we are also troubleshooters, always anticipating the unexpected. The wind shifts, and I think of the floral arrangements. Will they hold in the breeze, or will petals be carried away. In those moments we really on our trusted vendors who are experts at their fields, so we consult with the florists, making sure the delicate arrangements will stand strong against the elements, as if they, too, are part of Dubrovnik’s enduring landscape.
Photo – DT Studio
The tables must be set just so, the seating perfectly aligned, menus set exactly and seating plan vetted by the attending guests. There must also be a sense of flow—something intangible that makes a luxury wedding more than just a series of details. It’s about creating a feeling, a space where everything falls away except for the magic of the moment.
The Arrival of the Couple
The bride and groom arrive, glowing with the kind of joy that can only be found on this day. We meet them in their hotel suite, a sanctuary of calm before the day truly begins. The bride’s dress—soft, delicate lace draped over flowing silk—captures the essence of the wedding itself: timeless, elegant, and steeped in beauty. There is a quiet reverence in these moments, as if the world holds its breath before releasing it in a rush of celebration.
Photo – DT Studio
We guide them through the final touches, but our role here is gentle, unobtrusive. The day belongs to them, and our task is to ensure that it unfolds seamlessly, like a perfectly orchestrated bouquet we just put on the table.
The Ceremony—Where Love Meets Sky
The air is thick with anticipation as guests begin to gather in the Palace. From where we stand, we can see the guests take in their surroundings, their eyes sweeping over the walls, the distant hum of the city outside. They are captivated. Dubrovnik, in its quiet grandeur, speaks for itself, and yet the ceremony has been designed to echo that beauty—to enhance it in ways both subtle and grand.
The bride appears, a vision against the backdrop of the palace. Time seems to slow as she makes her way down the aisle, her every step a silent promise. The music swells, delicate and soft, carrying the moment forward.
Photo – DT Studio
It is in these moments that we step back in the background, making sure that nothing disrupts the moment. Our work is invisible now—an unseen hand guiding the flow of events. The beauty of a luxury wedding is that it feels effortless, as though it simply emerged from the earth fully formed. We need to make sure that the drinks get out at the perfect time once the ceremony ends and that the guest follow the couple down the aisle and have the fresh drinks.
The Evening Unfolds
As the ceremony gives way to the evening’s celebrations, the tone shifts from reverence to joy. The reception is set in at Lovrijenac fort overlooking the sea and the whole town of Dubrovnik, where candlelight flickers against the gathering dusk. The tables are set with precision—glimmering glasses, fine china, floral arrangements that speak of romance and refinement. The guests sit down to a feast of Croatian delicacies, each dish as thoughtfully curated as the wedding itself.
Photo – Saša Tomić
Above them, a canopy of stars begins to emerge, mirroring the soft glow of the lanterns that hang above them. The evening is filled with laughter, heartfelt toasts, and moments of intimacy that belong only to this night, this place. As the couple takes their first dance beneath the stars on Lovrijenac, it feels as though the whole world has paused to witness it. And Lovrijenac, with its centuries-old history, cradles these moments as if it has always been waiting for them.
The Final Hours—A Celebration of Love
The night deepens, and with it comes a sense of fulfillment. The rain—a surprise—lights up the sky, reflecting off the night like bursts of joy. The guests cheer, glasses are raised, and in that moment, everything comes together: the months of planning, the careful execution topped by a simple act of rain. You may think that we were stresses for this moment, but we came prepared any the rain was a friend we expected, and that is probably why our couple had such a nice time.
Photo – DT Studio
There is something sacred about the end of a wedding. The guests linger, reluctant to leave this beautiful fort we’ve created for them. And yet, like all great works of art, it must eventually come to an end for them to be able to look back and say “wow”.
As the last guest departs and the candles flicker out, I take a moment to walk through the now-quiet venue. There is a stillness that wasn’t there before, a sense of completion. In the distance, the city of Dubrovnik sleeps once more, its streets silent under the watchful stars.
Tomorrow, the city will wake to a new day, but for now, it holds the memories of a wedding that was more than just a celebration—it was an experience, a story told through the language of love, beauty, and timelessness.
This is what it means to be a wedding planner in Dubrovnik. To take a dream and make it real, to create something that will live on in the hearts of those who experienced it, forever tied to the city that made it possible.
And there I am, turning the new page. Do you get it now?
Yours truly,
DE
