Weddings in Croatia: How to Plan and Budget for your Big Day Abroad

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Genia Jones
Content Specialist
Genia is a writer for FXcompared. She has over 15 years of experience working in the financial industry as a writer, analyst, marketer, and content strategist. She enjoys writing about emerging trends… Read more

Why Get Married in Croatia?

Weddings in Croatia have become increasingly popular in recent years, and it’s not just because the country featured heavily in hit TV show Game of Thrones. A short flight from the UK, Ireland and the rest of Europe, Croatia’s stunning natural beauty, combined with its history and architecture, has made this small Eastern European country a hotspot for couples looking for an appropriately romantic (but affordable) destination wedding.

In this guide, we’ll take you through some of the key things to consider when planning your Croatian wedding, particularly when it comes to planning and budgeting for the big day. 

croatia destination wedding flower vendor

Where are the Best Places to Get Married in Croatia? 

Croatia has a diverse landscape where couples are able to choose from a variety of scenarios, including a secluded Mediterranean island, a rustic villa in the countryside or a historic setting in the middle of a cosmopolitan city like Dubrovnik. This makes it easy for couples to find the perfect fit for their special day. 

The country’s rich history and mixture of urban and rural settings makes it the perfect choice for a destination wedding, and the number of things to see and do means that guests will have plenty to keep them occupied.

Here’s a closer look at some of the top locations for weddings in Croatia:

Dubrovnik 

Known for its role as King’s Landing in Game of Thrones, Dubrovnik is one of the most popular choices for weddings in Croatia. Unique venues are everywhere, from the 16th-century gothic halls of Sponza Palace to Fort Lovvrijenac, a hilltop fortress overlooking the Adriatic. There’s even a replica of a 16th century galleon that will whisk you and your guests on a cruise around the local area.

Split 

Croatia’s second largest city, Split is another brilliant option for a coastal retreat, with some seriously swanky venues. The Diocletian Palace, for example, is a luxury Roman villa that previously served as a Roman military base, and now offers a unique, atmospheric reception in its cellars. 

Plitvice Lakes National Park 

If you love nature, Plitvice Lakes in central Croatia offers more wedding photo opportunities than you can count, with nearly 300 square kilometers of lush green forest, waterfalls and lakes to explore. Wedding venues span traditional hotels and charming inns with gardens and terraces that overlook the park. 

Hvar

There’s no shortage of beaches in Croatia, but Hvar has some of the best you’ll find anywhere. This island off the south coast of Split has plenty of beachfront terraces and fortresses to explore and plenty of activities for your more adventurous guests to get stuck into, including rock climbing, paddle boarding and kayaking. In the summer months, Hvar’s beautiful lavender fields make a stunning backdrop for a wedding photo.

croatia desitination wedding coast

Planning and Budgeting for Your Croatia Wedding

It’s always a good idea to plan ahead for a wedding, of course, but Croatia’s growing demand as a destination wedding spot means planning ahead is crucial. It’s common for Croatian wedding venues to get booked up to 18 months in advance, so planning early means you’ll not only have a wider selection of locations to choose from, but you’ll most likely be able to secure the best deals for your venue of choice, flights, restaurant and/or catering needs and accommodations.

Setting up a website or blog with hotel information, transportation options, activities in the area and recommendations for things to do outside the wedding is an easy way to communicate important information to your guests.

Most importantly, because your guests will be traveling to a foreign country, they’ll want to know the best options to finance their trip. While Croatia is a member of the European Union (EU), it has not yet become a member of the single-currency Eurozone and, as a consequence, still uses its own currency, the kuna. Your guests will most likely want to know the safest and most cost-effective methods to acquire the local currency, whether still in their home country or once they’ve arrived in Croatia.

How to Finance Your Wedding in Croatia 

A destination wedding takes a lot of planning, and one of the most crucial issues you’ll need to plan for is how to pay for it. If your wedding is a typical one, you’ll need to ensure you can securely and cost-effectively send payments to numerous parties, from the caterers to the florists, and everything in between.

Fortunately, Croatia’s currency transfer laws support the easy transfer of local and international currencies. The kuna is easy to obtain, and the country’s payment systems follow both international and domestic regulations for the safe and legal exchange of foreign currency.

Many Croatian businesses will accept payment by kuna or euro, though it’s always best to check upfront with your wedding vendors to make sure you know their payment policies. Whether you’ll be making international payments in the local currency or in your own currency, it’s a good idea to research your transfer options. 

Today, online currency transfer services often offer better exchange rates, lower transfer fees and low or no sending restrictions, making it easier to transfer large, lump sums at one time. You can compare rates and services through our online transfer comparison tool, which can help you get the best possible deal for the specific amount of money you want to send.

Knowing the best financing options for your situation can help make planning your Croatian wedding a little less stressful, and save you money at the same time.

Disclaimer: Sections of this article were written with the assistance of ChatGPT, with edits made by a human editor. 


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