Summer and spring dominate the wedding schedules, but there are multiple arguments to consider a winter wedding in Croatia. We have already written about destination weddings in Croatia. We have boasted its environment and nature, crystal clear sea, cuisine, wine, and friendly locals. Naturally, we mentioned the suitability of Istrian climate for weddings. But Croatia is not known just for its warm summers. Winter is a perfect season to organize a memorable wedding in Istria with a twist. There are numerous intricacies which must be considered while planning a winter wedding. But these same intricacies will make any wedding unique!
Did you know that December is the most popular month to get engaged in Croatia? This is not by accident and we are writing this blog to research all details that make the newlywed express their deepest feelings specifically during this time of the year and how are those feelings applicable to a winter wedding in Croatia. Couples easily fall in love and express their feelings during the festive season. Carried away by the warmth of holiday season, it is simple to take a first step towards establishing a new family by proposing. However, we prepared this blog to propose you more ideas to help you make a December to remember.
Warm wedding in the middle of winter
Most newlyweds in Croatia dream about walking down the aisle during spring or summer, because higher temperature allows for the outdoor wedding. Yet, we know of many holiday enthusiasts, who are, just like us, intrigued by a winter wedding in Croatia during Christmas holidays. Although the climate is not as warm as in summer, it urges us to seek warmth among our closest family members and friends. It commands a strong sense of intimacy, closeness and romance. Winter storm is nothing like a summer breeze, but winter wedding atmosphere is hot! We consider this time of the year as a perfect opportunity to celebrate the holidays and throw your wedding party during the most beautiful time of the year.
Why organize a winter wedding in Croatia
First of all, holiday wedding in Croatia gives you so much freedom in choosing your wedding decorations. Newlyweds can style the festive spirit of the wedding as elegant, royal, luxury, chick, golden, silver, red, blue, white. There are countless ideas and colors to choose from. Decorations range from having a fake snow on the tables and dance floor, along with typical red and green flowers, sparkling everything, to keeping your wedding decoration simple with a dash of holiday spirit. It is all up to you!
Decorations for a holiday wedding in Croatia
If you ask us – greenery is a no brainer for a Christmas wedding in Croatia. Do we have to mention that it is much cheaper than most flowers? Green plant decorations can be used in various ways. Arrange them as garlands for the tables or hanging decorations above the dining area or dance floor. They can even be arranged in combination with seasonal winter flowers and festive red colored ribbons. You cannot go wrong with greenery!
Except greenery, take advantage of metallic and neutral accents like modern rental furniture, textured linens, pine tree, chandeliers and candles. Furthermore, do not forget to add an all-time favorite – gather Christmas trees at your wedding venue and create home holiday vibe which will make your guests feel warm and festive.
Christmas-themed dishes and beverage
Certain dishes can boost the holiday feel a lot. Consider adding Christmas-tree-shaped cookies or jingle-bell-shaped or snowflake-shaped biscuits to the sweet corner. Sparkling wedding cake is an easy eye-catcher. And signature cocktails such as ‘Weggnong’, ‘Christmosas’ or ‘Jingle Juice’ will unmistakably label your celebration as a winter wedding. Bear in mind that food is much more durable during in cold weather and creamy pastries can endure far longer.
Holiday-inspired wedding favors
If decorations and food are not Christmas-oriented enough, then winter-inspired wedding favors will be the icing on the cake. Stay in the Christmas tradition by gift each guest with an ornament or a jingle bell with their name on it. Instead of flower confetti, use snowflakes and make a real winter wonderland for the winter wedding ceremony in Croatia.
Lights have an important role during short winter days
Winter days are short. There probably will not be any sunlight by the time the wedding lunch ends or the dinner starts. Therefore, lights are a big part of any winter wedding in Croatia, especially in a holiday season. Few things are comparable to the overabundance of magical fairy lights. Light arrangements make an enormous impact in forming a romantic atmosphere. Trust us when we underline the importance of lighting setup for your wedding day.
Lights go a long way in composing your holiday wedding venue in Croatia. Intensity of light always attracts and guides guests’ attention. An experienced lighting technician will come up with a canny setup to smoothly guide the guests between dance floor, dinner tables and other points of interest during your celebration. The impact of quality lighting setup is obvious from the photos in this blog. If you wish to see more photos, then visit our gallery with these newlyweds’ photoshoot.
Downside of having a wedding amid the holiday season
The downside to holiday weddings in Croatia is the overlap of other festivities, which may keep the guests from attending your wedding. The wedding may overlap with some of your friends’ and family members’ usual holiday plans and holiday traditions. They might want to prioritize those plans over the wedding. Anyhow, we recommend avoiding scheduling your wedding too close to any major holidays, such as Christmas or New Year’s Eve. That way most of the guests will be available for your winter wedding in Istria.
Time is of the essence when sending Save-the-Date cards. Give your guests plenty of notice that you are having a holiday wedding in Istria. This will ensure that they attend your wedding and celebrate both festive season and your love together with you.
December and January are opportune months to plan around guests’ work schedules or school breaks. Your friends and relatives who live abroad might be already planning a visit. This way they will save money on additional travel costs for your wedding.
Mild Mediterranean climate is perfect for the winter wedding in Istria
When planning a winter wedding in Croatia, try to choose an area with not as low temperatures and less precipitation and snow. Coastal Istria has a typical Mediterranean climate. Coastal parts of Istria are blessed with mild and pleasant winters. Just everywhere else along the Croatian coastline, Istria is also refreshed by the characteristic local winds.
But as you proceed inland into Istria, the climate gradually changes towards the mild continental climate. The nearness of the Alps and the cold air streaming from the nearby mountains influence that change. Despite that, the temperature rarely drops below freezing point throughout the entire year even in the inland Istria. Snow is a rare sight here, only occasionally gracing only the highest peaks of the Istrian mountains.
Shrunk budget due to holiday shopping frenzy
It goes without saying that budget is an indispensable element of every destination wedding. But planning a holiday wedding in Croatia may be more demanding, because of the budget crunched by holiday spending spree. Still, Christmas season often signals lots of jewelry and equipment sales, as well as travel discounts. This justifies planning a winter wedding amidst the shopping season. You may find great deals for wedding jewelry as well as for honeymoon.
What is the best time to start planning a winter wedding in Croatia
If you are planning to have a church wedding, then finding a wedding date can be a demanding undertaking. Churches and other religious venues already have their calendars for December filled with candle-lighting ceremonies, Advent celebrations, concerts and holiday performances. Furthermore, corporate and private holiday parties tend to overcrowd wedding venues’ schedules, especially during the first two weeks of December. These events can render the task of making a booking at the popular wedding venues in Istria much more tedious. However, you can easily avoid this hassle if you choose your winter wedding date a long time ahead. If you start searching for a wedding venue 9 or more months ahead of the wedding, then you will find out that there are still a lot of available dates.
If you miss the chance to book the wedding venue early and you find yourself in the lack of time, it is possible to plan and organize a winter wedding in Croatia in a very short time. But rushed wedding planning is never advisable, as wedding planning involves many more than just venue. The wedding planner must also coordinate all vendors, such as photographer, florist, catering service etc. Even if you catch your dream venue, some of the best vendors might not remain available in the last minute. On the other hand, if you leave it enough time, a wedding planner will easily plan a wonderful winter wedding in Istria.
There are a lot of details to consider while searching for an appropriate wedding venue. We have a list of popular wedding venues in Istria. Unfortunately, all of those wedding venues are displayed in the summer environment. You may find it useful to contact us and seek help finding an appropriate winter wedding venue in Istria.
How about winter elopement in Croatia?
Mind you, if having an elopement, then 9 month rule does not apply. It might be much easier to get the preferred wedding venue in Croatia for ten or less guests. With fewer guests, newlyweds are much more flexible to visit various places to take breath-taking photoshoots or enjoy themselves. Despite that, don’t forget to keep an eye on good timing to start planning your winter elopement in Croatia. There are still a lot of vendors who need to be coordinated.
Winter wedding is an extension of the family holiday
Just remember, choose your wedding date carefully, to avoid the holiday grinches and to allow families enough time to spend together during the actual holidays. In this festive season it is very acceptable for the weddings to happen even on weekdays. No one will mind, because most of the guests will already be on vacation. This way, your guests will get your wedding as an extended family holiday. They will have that much reason to look forward to your winter wedding in Croatia.
Winter weddings are gaining a lot of popularity in Croatia
As the heading says, popularity of winter weddings in Croatia is increasing lately. Planning such wedding poses a different set of challenges that bride and groom need to take care of. However, with the help of experienced wedding planners from Flammeum, wedding planning agency in Croatia, the planning process will even become fun and joyful experience. We make extra effort to present the best options to the newlyweds, while they keep the steering wheel in their hands! We organize every aspect of the wedding and warn you of all possible pitfalls. That way we make sure that the wedding coordination runs smooth.
We can promise that you will feel like you are having the best Christmas party ever!
Happy planning during holidays!