Lauren and Matthew’s Intimate Pastel Pink Croatia Wedding by Paparela Photo

Today we are taking you away from this cold winter weather (anyone else got snow today?) to the wonderful sunshine of beautiful Croatia. Lauren and Matthew chose Croatia for its amazing setting and fantastic climate. They decided on an intimate wedding of 16 close friends and family and the results are stunning. A pretty pastel and neutral colour palette works brilliantly against the creams and beige of the old buildings behind them, all captured perfectly by Paparela Photo.

A beautiful, relaxing wedding in a stunning setting. Romantic and intimate; simply perfect for us.

Lauren and Matthew were married on the 4^th June 2016 at Court Natalis, Ethnographic Museum at Diocletian’s Palace, Split, Croatia. Reception held in private villa in Podstrana near Split. ‘It was a beautiful location, heritage sites, amazing beaches, nice weather…..not too hot but no rain! We had 16 guests and the wedding took 8 months to plan.’

How they met
Matthew and I met at college, we have been together for 12 years.

The Proposal
Matt proposed when we were both 18 years old. We were expecting our first child and it seemed like the next step. I wish it was a more exciting story!

How did you allocate your budget?
We left everything in our wedding planner’s (Ivana) hands.

Where did you splurge and where did you save?
We saved by having our wedding abroad. Croatia is a beautiful destination and so amazingly priced.

Why did you choose your photographer?
Our wedding planner suggested a few photographers and sent us some examples of their work. Mario stood out to us and his work looked amazing.

The Dress
Dress was made by ‘House of Mooshki’ and my shoes were from Rainbow Club.

The Suit and Bridesmaids
The suit is Jeff Banks, and our daughter the bridesmaid, is wearing a dress found in TK Maxx.

Theme or colour scheme
We had no theme to begin with; I just knew I wanted neutral/ pastel colours. Ivana and her team proposed great solutions and it was a match make.

Flowers
I had blush pink and cream white flowers: roses, peonies, hydrangeas, lysianthus and dusty miler foliage to match the colour scheme, pink and mint.

Decoration
All rustic, romantic features, candelabras and lanterns along the Villa property, chalkboards, rose petals. The ceremony venue set up included white garden chairs and white vintage table, flower pews at the end of chairs, pink confetti cones with rose petals and candles. Reception dinner table was decorated with matching flowers in crystal and white ceramics vases, glass candle holders, authentic local favours (homemade jam, honey, and sweets), white linen table cloths with matching white Chiavari chairs.

Food
Mediterranean canapés and snacks at the cocktail reception followed by  selection of delicious Croatian meals at the dinner. For starter, Dalmatian plate: Dalmatian prosciutto, selection of cheeses, marinated anchovies and shrimps on rocket salad, smoked tuna prosciutto, octopus salad in a Parmigiano basket. For second course a selection of main: Chicken with scampi sauce, grilled honey and dalmatian herbs, lamb chops with marinated grilled vegetables or grilled sea bass with swiss chard. For the third course – chocolate mousse with vanilla and bourbon sauce. We had amazing local wines.

Wedding Cake
Wedding cake was two tiered chocolate cake with ganache crème on lower tier and schwarcwald on the upper. It was plain white decorated with fresh flowers: baby breath and peony.

Entertainment
We had a fabulous guitar player, who played The Beatles once he found out we were from Liverpool!

Special Moments or Highlights
Special moments from the day were when our 9 year old Daughter stood up at the meal and had everyone crying with the magical words she said.

Advice for other couples
My tip would be; use a wedding planner like Ivana. I can’t imagine myself having such a fantastic day without her help and input.

Biggest Surprise
How amazing everything looked. The décor was a million times better than what I ever could have imagined.

Supplier Shout Outs

• Ivana Knezovic from Promessi Weddings & Events www.promessi.com.hr
• Cvjetni studio Mirella www.facebook.com/Cvjetni-studio-Mirella
• Catering Gusar www.restorangusar.hr
• Cake Torte Split www.torte-split.com

For more information on Mario’s work go to:

www.paparela.com / [email protected] / +385977604450

“I am a  destination wedding photographer based in Split, Croatia. Many things define my work, most of them related to my personality. I am a a headstrong optimist always searching for new challenges and ways to capture emotion, love being the most unique one of them, in my work. To be able to meet so many beautiful people in the most intimate moments of their lives and to witness love makes me grateful. My photos reflect me personally, my life and the place where I am from, sunshine and bright colors of the world around me, my beloved hometown and my family.”