Dubrovnik Riviera Wedding in Cavtat.
Like so many couples that were due to get married abroad in 2020, UK couple M & M’s wedding plans needed to be changed. After the disappointment of having to postpone their wedding for a year, the couple finally said “I do” in beautiful Cavtat, a hidden gem on the Dubrovnik Riviera.
M & M – Cavtat, Croatia
As a lovely and active member of our Weddings Abroad Guide Community Facebook Group, we felt very much a part of M’s preparations. We are so happy to share her wedding budget breakdown and tips for those planning a wedding in Cavtat, which include the highs and the lows of planning a wedding abroad. M’s tips below are a great reminder that a wedding supplier that was perfect for one couple, may not necessarily be the right fit for another couple.
Pearls of Wisdom: Make sure you have a Plan B if the weather turns bad. Our vision was to have our reception outside on the terrace overlooking the sea, the weather wasn’t on our side and it had to be moved inside at the last minute. Unfortunately we didn’t get a chance to see the room beforehand and we were very unhappy with it. Although this upset me tremendously, it was still a truly special day.
Take your time picking your wedding planner as we had a lot of issues with ours that left us very dissatisfied and unhappy with the services she provided, something that cannot be changed now.
Also make sure you book some extra days after the wedding at your destination as you really do need it to unwind and enjoy it all. We didn’t and so wish we had done.
Total Cost: €12,349 (Euro)
Details
Location: Cavtat, Croatia
Date: 17 September 2021
Number of Guests: 21 guests, including 1 child
Ceremony Venue: Lounge Terrace, Hotel Croatia, Cavtat (Civil Ceremony)
Time of Ceremony: 4:30pm
Reception Venue: Hotel Croatia, Cavtat
Time of Reception: 7:00pm
Number of Days at Wedding Location Prior to Wedding: 5
Number of Days at Wedding Location: 7
Pre Wedding Activities: Drinks get together
Planning Method: Wedding Planner
Planning Time: 2 years (due to Covid)
Budget Breakdown
Ceremony Venue: €300
Wedding Paperwork & Legal Fees: €1170
Catering: €1,986
Beverages: €2,000
Wedding Cake: €335
Photography & Videography: €1,450
Wedding Flowers Bridal Party: €260
Wedding Flowers Ceremony & Reception Venue: €460
Décor & Event Rental: €425
Ceremony Musicians: €415
Wedding DJ: €815
Other Entertainment: €650 (Saxophonist)
Wedding Hair Stylist: €120 includes pre wedding trial
Wedding Make-up: €100 includes pre wedding trial
Wedding Stationery: €50
Post Wedding Activities: €400 pre drinks get together
Wedding Planning Fee: €1,350 (bespoke planning)
Transport & Accommodation
Flights: £340 (GBP)
Accommodation:€550 villa + £255 (GBP) hotel at wedding venue & £170 (GBP) airport hotel & parking
Additional Information
Did you manage to stick to your budget? No
Did you spend more or less than you thought? More
Would you recommend your method of planning? No
What were you not willing to compromise on? Videographers & photographer
Honeymoon & Home Party
Honeymoon Location: Not yet booked
Did you have a Home Party: No
Wedding Photography: via Wedding Planner
Understanding wedding abroad costs in more detail
Get a better insight into what it costs to get married abroad and how to breakdown your budget.
Watch the conversation I had with Destination Wedding Planner Nadia Wood from Amulet Events. We look at how as a wedding planner how she approaches the question “what does it cost to get married abroad”, the elements of a wedding abroad that will typically be your biggest spend and the best ways to maximise your budget.
Find out More
See more Real Wedding Budget Breakdowns or use our FREE Destination Wedding Cost Estimator to obtain a ballpark figure of what you can expect your Destination Wedding to cost.
