A little over a month has passed since the wedding when I said yes to my ‘Dearest’ in the company of our families and friends. After more than seven years of experience in the role of wedding planner, it was time for me to find myself in the role of the bride. This experience gave me a different perspective on the wedding. Now I can say that I fully understand all the feelings that brides go through on the wedding day itself.
Keep in mind that more photos from this wedding are available in the photo gallery.
Wedding venue for which we share many wonderful memories
Wedding was organized in Opatija, in the Royal Hotel. We share wonderful memories of Opatija, so the decision to choose a destination was quick and unanimous. Given my experience with destination weddings, the idea of a ‘wedding weekend’ came to mind. We wanted to hang out with our guests all weekend long. Filled with feelings and a multitude of diverse events, the wedding day flies by in an instant. Nevertheless, the ‘wedding weekend’ allowed us to dedicate more time to all our friends. For our guests who arrived from distant parts of Croatia and Europe, it was a real ‘weekend getaway’, which we prepared for them.
Wedding Organization and Coordination
I led the organization of the wedding myself. But other members from Flammeum team took over the wedding day coordination. They made sure that the whole weekend passed in harmony of the organization and comfort of the execution of the schedule.
Vendors for my wedding were arranged even before the wedding date was known. This is exactly what happens when a wedding planner plans their own wedding – she over-arranges everything! All suppliers are long-term associates of Flammeum. I have complete confidence in all of them. Each time, at each mutual project, without exception, their professionalism repeatedly justifies my trust in them. I was sure that I am leaving myself in the safe hands of our associates.
Welcome party to start off our Wedding weekend
We started the weekend with a welcome party at the bar Angiolina. There we spent a pleasant evening in the company of our friends and family, while enjoying fine snacks and a variety of drinks and cocktails. It was wonderful to be surrounded by acquaintances who share our joy and happiness. This welcome party proved to be a great opportunity for guests from distant countries to get to know each other. In other words, until the wedding celebration, some of them acted as if they knew each other since forever.
On Friday we already stood in front of the camera lenses of our favorite photographers & videographers from the DT studio. This helped us to relax in front of their cameras before tomorrow’s big day and an important photoshoot. Through the photos, the photographers truly conveyed the emotions, excitement, euphoria and happiness that governed Opatija that weekend.
Morning before the Wedding
On Saturday, on the wedding day, a beautiful and warm day dawned in Opatija. During the morning we relaxed with our maid of honor, best man and our family. Wedding preparations took place in a laid-back atmosphere.
The only worries that struck me that morning were the waves at sea. I hoped the waves would calm down, so that fireworks could be launched from the pontoon at the sea. But one or two glasses of champagne always help maintain a calm atmosphere – trust a professional! My favorite maid of honor and Sanela filled my morning preparations with a lot of happiness and fun. But I must admit that for a moment I forgot where I was and thought the party had already started!
Guests gathering before the Wedding Ceremony
The wedding ceremony was held in the abbey of St. Jacob. But before entering the church, we organized a gathering of guests on the terrace of the boutique hotel Sv. Jacob. This boutique hotel is near the church. There, guests enjoyed champagne and cakes while the klapa Kampanel entertained guests. After all the guests had gathered, it was time to enter the church. As my father led me to the altar, the talented singers from RougeMarines performed the song La Vie en Rose. While I approached the altar and saw my fiancé, I felt completely fulfilled and filled with gratitude on that day.
After the ceremony, members of the klapa Kampanel led the procession through Angiolina Park to the Royal Hotel. On the hotel terrace, guests tasted delicious snacks and a variety of cocktails. They enjoyed the music of the Acoustic Lounge Trio.
Wedding Decoration
Studio Brzak oversaw the wedding decoration. After years of close collaboration, they knew my taste quite well. They knew my vision and the wedding concept. Therefore, they could express their creativity without excessive remodeling. It could be said that our communication goes beyond words. They simply made the decoration great! Technicians from the dBoki team set up the lighting system. The lighting put an emphasis on decoration. The combination of decoration and lighting gave the hall an attitude. The hall turned into an elegant and refined backdrop for a true celebration of our wedding.
First Dance
Extremely talented musicians have performed the song for our first dance. The rendition of the song Stand by me was performed by my dear friend Iva Gortan, accompanied by violins, harp and a keyboard. At the beginning of the first dance, all eyes were on us. But as soon as Iva sang the first chorus, she immediately captured all the attention in the hall. After the dance, during the appetizer, the harpist performed a combination of classic and modern titles.
The beginning of the wedding party was marked by the popular singer Jole and his band. Jole did his best to stop any guest from easily leaving his bed easily the next day. Jole and his band led a great party until the early hours of the morning. They kept the dance floor crowded. Not even the first rays of the sun managed to drive us away.
Fireworks along the wedding cake
The wedding cake and a sweet corner sweetened the wedding. That is, they sweetened it to those guests who left a little space for sweets during the dinner. The sweet corner contained varied and colorful cookies. The ‘cherry on top’ was magical fireworks display that delighted not only the guests, but also the residents of Opatija.
For all guests who stayed with us until Sunday, we organized a brunch on the terrace of the Royal Hotel. This brought our weekend to end, overwhelmed by laughter and joy.
I would like to thank the Amadria Park Hotel Group. At each of their locations, their managers and staff made sure that we felt like we were in the spotlight. They made a special effort to satisfy all our wishes.
Last thoughts to all the newlyweds
In the end, I leave room for a bit of advice to all future newlyweds. They will surely be under a lot of stress, especially during the week preceding the wedding. You will have to take care of many items and you will have to make a lot of decisions. My advice is to secure some time for yourself during all this rush. Remember the beautiful moments that led you to the act of the wedding. Remember the joy that awaits you during the wedding ceremony and celebration. Be sure to give yourself a chance to remind yourself of the importance of the marriage you are entering into and the significance of the person you will soon be starting a new family with.
A wedding is very demanding for the person who organizes and coordinates it, but that day passes very quickly, nevertheless. By no means do you allow yourself to be left with only a wedding dress, suit and photos as only memories of that day. Don’t let a wedding rush through your worries without deep feelings of love and happiness. You must organize a good party for your guests, but you are still preparing something much more important and long-lasting for yourself. Therefore, it is crucial that you at least leave the wedding coordination to somebody you trust. This will enable you to truly dedicate yourself to your fiancé, family and friends during the wedding.
Support from my closest people
I can say that without the support of my partner Sanela, my maid of honor and the Flammeum team I would not have been able to experience my own wedding with so much joy!
My own wedding gave me a lot of empathy for all brides getting married. It is not easy to prepare and coordinate a wedding. As that wasn’t hard enough, the bride also carries a hell of a venture on her own back. That is why I try to help all brides to enjoy their wedding as much as I enjoyed mine.
If you’d like to view more photos from this wedding, visit the photo gallery.
