The Best Wedding Locations in Croatia…Find Out which Locations Make the Cut!
A mere 2.5 hour flight from the UK and Ireland, this jewel in the Adriatic has so much to offer as a destination wedding location. With it’s outstanding natural beauty, a stunning coastline dotted with picturesque islands, a rich history and ancient architecture, selecting the Top 10 Wedding Locations in Croatia is no easy task!
To help you choose the ideal location for your big day, award winning wedding photojournalist Robert Pljušćec, has picked his Top 10 Wedding Locations in Croatia. As a Croatian wedding photographer, Robert has intimate professional knowledge of the country and is the perfect person to take on this task. His top picks are listed below and are most importantly backed up by his wonderful visual imagery.
1) Dubrovnik
Without a doubt, Croatia’s most popular destination for weddings and tourists alike is Dubrovnik, so I place it at the top of the list. Not much needs to be said about Dubrovnik as its beauty speaks for itself. The old town’s architecture and history leaves you breathless. For couples seeking a true historical feeling of the Mediterranean, this jewel really is the place to go.
Did you know:
Dubrovnik is the city portrayed as “King’s Landing”, the capital in the TV series “Game of Thrones” and filming for Star Wars Episode VIII will also commence shortly within the old town.
But there are so many places just as beautiful which I want to share with you…and if you would like to head off the beaten track…here are my other selections for the best wedding locations in Croatia:
2) Porec
Istria has always had a special place in my heart and Villa Polesini in Porec is one of my favourite wedding venues. Right on the water’s edge it has a very regal feel.
What I love:
The beautiful waterfront promenades and old the architecture of Porec, make it one of my favourite wedding locations in Croatia.
Good to know:
As little as 10km inland you will find gorgeous rustic villas that are the perfect outdoor wedding option which are very hard to surpass.
Yuen & Mike’s Wedding in Porec
3) Vis
One of the lesser known yet still exclusive destinations, the island of Vis is full of untouched nature and offers a unique experience to each couple and their guests.
What I love:
Vis is notable for Fort George, an old military fort that has been transformed into an absolutely stunning location for organizing events like weddings and private parties.
Vesna & Sebastian’s wedding in Vis
4) Plitvice Lakes
One of the most famous places in Croatia. Each year the lakes majestic waterfalls are visited by over 1 million people looking to experience this unique natural phenomenon.
Secret reveal:
It is little less known that the Plitvice Lakes National Park offers couples the opportunity to get married within the grounds which makes this destination a TOP recommendation for those looking to surround themselves with nature and have the most amazing backdrop.
5) Hvar
Hvar has a long-standing reputation as the sunniest island in Croatia, and with good reason. Not only does it have the most number of sunny days per year but Hvar will quite literally ‘light up’ your holiday.
Did you know:
Hvar is a world renowned destination visited by many A-listers such as Beyonce, Kevin Spacey, Tom Cruise, Michael Schumacher, Roman Abramovic and many others.
What I love:
Along with a quiet and romantic experience at some of the finest restaurants along the Adriatic, Hvar also offers a great party scene and excellent adventure sport opportunities like rock climbing, mountain biking, kayaking etc. With all of this combined Hvar has to make my lists as one of the best wedding locations in Croatia.
Georgi & Ryan’s Weddig in Hvar
6) Split
Once just a transit port, the town nestled at the feet of the Marjan hills has become a destination for exclusive holidays and has finally experienced the transformation it deserves.
Did you know:
Split is the second largest city in Croatia, a jewel of the Adriatic coast with a historical old town center where you will still find buildings and palaces from ancient Roman times.
What makes this my hot pick:
Split is the jump off point for many of the better known islands and moving around Croatia you will probably find yourself there. This unique place not only provides beautiful locations for photos but also has a large range of restaurants and wedding venues and is definitely worth considering as one of your possible wedding locations in Croatia.
7) Lokve Gorski Kotar
Definitely a lesser known location than the ones mentioned so far, Lokve is the heart Gorski Kotar region and a well preserved secret. During summer months Lokve offers a fresher climate due to the higher altitude and rich, thick forests.
The wow factor:
The main attraction is a large lake with numerous little islets providing nature-loving couples unforgettable photo backdrops. It offers activities such as rowing, kayaking, bike riding, nature walks, hiking trails and fishing. It is the ideal place for those who love adventure and being one with nature.
8) Zagreb
The capital of Croatia, this beautiful city has over 900 years of history flowing through its streets and hides some of the most romantic spots you can imagine. Still, Zagreb undeservedly has a lower number of couples from abroad choosing it as their wedding destination.
Good to know:
Along with many interesting restaurants and venues, Zagreb offers so much to do and experience but is also a gateway to beautiful nature and national parks all within a 30 minute drive of the city.
9) Neretva
Usce Neretve – sand dunes, fields full of mandarin trees, canals and nature all offer a unique atmosphere and present one of the better places to take photos by the beach. An especially good option for those couples coming from Dubrovnik, it is only an hour dive to these must-see locations.
What I love:
Sensational location for engagement shoots or general location photography.
Good to know:
Because of the small number of restaurant options it is better suited to pre-wedding & honeymoon shoots.
10) Rovinj
Rovinj secretly hides a magical old town that is the perfect spot for wedding photos. It is the busiest tourist centre in the northern part of Croatia known as Istria and going by the number of visitors it very closely ranks as the top destination along the Adriatic.
The wow factor:
The Island of St. Andrew or also known as Red Island (Crveni Otok), is located just a short boat ride away from Rovinj mainland. The island has a hotel and restaurant in a rustic setting that provides a wonderful location for your ceremony and reception.
The Next Step
There are a lot of variables and different ways to plan a wedding in Croatia and I’m more than aware that its success (and how smoothly the planning process goes) hinges having the right team of people in your corner.
Weddings Abroad Guide promotes the services of some wonderful wedding suppliers in Croatia who can create a unique wedding abroad that reflects your individual style and personality but more importantly stays within your wedding budget.
To kick-start your planning, it’s helpful to contact as many wedding professionals as you can and provide as much information as possible about your initial ideas and plans (we know you will not know everything at the moment and that’s more than okay). This will help them to tailor their response and provide you with relevant information and ideas for what you can expect within your budget and a location and venue that match your requirements .
To connect with wedding planners in one easy step use the form below and your enquiry will be forwarded to ALL of the Croatian Wedding Planners who are members of our Directory (click here to learn more). We will then forward you a handy spreadsheet to help you collate and evaluate your responses. If you would prefer to individually choose which wedding planners, venues, photographers etc. to contact, you can do so here.
Find a Wedding Planner in Croatia
Discover the Best Wedding Locations in Dubrovnik for your photo session.
Venue Spotlight Villa Polesini – Wedding Venue on the Istira Coast.
The 9 Top Reasons which make Croatia a great choice for a wedding abroad.
Need to know more? Our guide to having a Destination Wedding in Croatia is a great place to start.
