Istria is one of our favorite Croatian regions. Through the years of being in the wedding photography and videography business, we had more than a few occasions to document weddings in Istria. Each time we visit it, we spend at least one extra day in exploration of new places that might be suitable for weddings and elopements. Elopements won’t be the topic of this article, but make sure you check our website for other resources regarding this popular way of getting married abroad.
Istria is a region of experiences. It’s a blend of rich history and lush landscapes. It’s a world in which ancient Roman ruins meet a bit younger medieval hilltop towns. As much as being famous for its history and nature, Istria is equally famous for its wines and culinary delights. It’s simply a perfect setting for your wedding.
This article aims to present you with possibilities of a small part of Istria, where the city of Rovinj is nestled. We fell in love with Rovinj as soon as we saw it and through the years we explored it more and more. This post will give you an idea about Rovinj wedding and all the things you need to know when starting to plan a wedding in this part of Istria. We’ll talk about the best Rovinj wedding venues, why Rovinj is so popular when it comes to weddings in Istria, and what would be the best time of the year to organize a wedding in Rovinj…
Join us on a journey through time, gastro delights, and pristine nature.
Related: Lacy & Tyler’s Castle Wedding in Istria
Welcome to Rovinj, Istria
Rovinj is a picturesque town on the western coast of the Istrian peninsula. It’s known for its preserved medieval architecture and vibrantly colored buildings. Rovinj is a blend of history, culture, and coastal beauty and as such it’s one of the most chosen options for weddings in Istria. Rovinj has a strong Venetian heritage which is visible through the architecture and narrow cobblestone streets. The history of Rovinj dates even more in history, to the times of the ancient Roman Empire whose existence left a trace in the whole of Istria.
When it comes to weddings in Rovinj, it’s the perfect place for a few reasons. First of all, there is a wide variety of wedding venues to choose from. Secondly, a wedding in Istria is the ultimate experience you and your guests will love – there are many things to see and do for each day of your stay in the Rovinj area. Istria is not a very large region and all these great places are relatively close to each other. Finally, the wedding industry is well-developed here and you won’t have any problems with finding highly professional wedding vendors.
Related: Our ultimate Croatia Wedding Guide
Rovinj wedding photographer and videographer
We are Andrea and Mario and we have been in the wedding photography and videography business for a while now. Through the years we have documented all kinds of weddings all across Europe – Croatia, Switzerland, Slovenia, Malta, Ireland, Scotland, Italy… We are originally from Croatia and most of our photography and videography work is done in our stunning and diverse country. Apart from the wedding planners, we are the ones (photographers and videographers) who spend most of the day with you and through the years in business, we got to know what really matters to most couples. That’s one of the reasons why we decided to write guides similar to this one.
Feel free to browse our website and learn more about us and our work. When it comes to wedding photography and videography, our main goal is to document moments as they happen. Newlyweds are usually focused on so many things during their wedding day and cannot track everything that happens around them. As a photographer and videographer, our main task is to present you with memories of your wedding day as they really happened.
Why should you get married in Rovinj?
1. Breathtaking Scenery
Rovinj is surrounded by some of the most beautiful landscapes in Croatia. It has lush greenery on one side and a clear Adriatic sea on the other. Rovinj is a great backdrop for wedding photos with its vibrant architecture and narrow stone streets. Scenery is something that will really add a lot to your wedding in Rovinj.
2. Romantic Atmosphere
Croatian cities such as Dubrovnik, Rovinj, Trogir, and others have that special romantic feel which makes them popular among lovers. Rovinj streets and vividly colored buildings add special charm and an extra layer of romance on your wedding day.
3. Delicious Local Cuisine
Istria is well known for its cuisine and wines and Rovinj is no exception. In fact, there are more restaurants, vineyards, and olive groves than anywhere else in Istria. Incorporating local dishes in your wedding in Rovinj will provide a unique and delicious experience for you and your guests.
4. Wide Range of Venues
An important aspect of any wedding location is its wedding venues. You can get married anywhere, but you don’t have a diversity of wedding venues everywhere. That’s why some places such as Dubrovnik, Hvar, Split, etc. are among the most popular places for weddings in Croatia. Rovinj is no exception. The area of this town offers wedding venues ranging from luxury resorts to historic sites and vineyards,
5. Accessibility
A great thing about Rovinj is its accessibility. The town has good road connections and there are a few nearby airports, Pula being the closest one, just 40 minutes of driving away. This is very beneficial for your guests traveling from abroad who will appreciate this ease of reaching Rovinj.
6. Local Wedding Traditions
There are many different kinds of traditions that can be incorporated into every wedding. When getting married abroad, it’s a good thing to explore local wedding traditions and include some of them in your special day. These can be dances, ceremony traditions, traditional music… Adding these can really lift your and your guests’ experience and make your Rovinj wedding really authentic.
7. Professional Wedding Services
Apart from wedding venues, another important aspect when it comes to weddings is the availability of professional wedding services in a given area. These include all vendors you might want to include in your wedding – photographer and videographer, florists, hair and makeup artists, wedding planners, musicians… Rovinj has well well-developed wedding industry and you won’t have any problem finding any of the mentioned services which can really make planning your wedding in Rovinj much easier and stress-free.
8. Mild Mediterranean Climate
One of the reasons why Rovinj is often chosen as a wedding destination is its climate. Most of Croatia has a Mediterranean climate which means a lot of warm and sunny weather. Although you can never be sure about the weather, it helps to know that the spring and summer periods in Croatia offer quite stable weather which is not the case for some other nearby countries.
9. Rich Cultural Heritage
People tend to choose historical places for their weddings and that’s the pattern we, as wedding photographer and videographer, tend to see from wedding to wedding. Most of the weddings we document are held in a place with rich history and historical significance. Rovinj is one such place with its history reaching far into the times of the Roman Empire and continuing until today. With all this mentioned, you can rest assured that your wedding in Rovinj will have a unique setting with irresistible historical charm.
Real story: Villa Lav Wedding in Bale, Istria
10. Memorable Guest Experience
Your wedding is a day for you. It’s the start of a new chapter in your life and you and your partner are the most important figures of that day. But the experience of your guests also matters. These are the people dear to you with whom you want to share the joy of your Rovinj wedding and you want them to have a great time too.
Apart from the wedding day, it’s great to choose a region that has many places to experience on other days too. That’s why the Rovinj area is great for your wedding. There are so many things you and your guests can experience and this aspect is also a valuable part of every wedding experience.
Best time of the year for wedding in Rovinj
Finding the best possible period for a wedding abroad can be hard if you are living far away from a given destination. There are many online sources from which you can read what the weather looks like in any given part of the year, but still, you need to know more than the weather. July and August are the busiest and hottest months in Rovinj.
Temperatures can reach up to 40 degrees Celsius (usually they are between 33 and 36) and these months wouldn’t be the best option for organizing a wedding in Rovinj. It’s simply too hot and too crowded and it wouldn’t be the best experience for you or your guests. Of course, there are many couples choosing to get married in this period and it can be done with some changes in a wedding timeline and venues.
Related: When to get married in Croatia
The best period for organizing a wedding in Rovinj would be late Spring, late Summer, and early Autumn. Months such as May, early June, September, and early October provide warm and pleasant weather with far fewer crowds. Some of these months are kind of off-season so venue rental fees might be significantly less than during the busy summer months. Al closer you get to the summer months, the warmer the weather gets with the peak temperatures of both sea and air to be in July and August.
Related: Dubrovnik Wedding Guide
Best Rovinj wedding venues
As already mentioned, Rovinj is a great place for wedding because of many reasons and one of the most important ones are the diversity and beauty of Rovinj wedding venues. Each of the venues has its own unique charm and character and we are sure that you’ll find your perfect fit among the ones mentioned below.
Rovinj offers many venue options – luxury hotels located near the sea, well-preserved historic castles, and stone villas surrounded by lush nature… Choosing the right wedding venue is one of the most important aspects of a destination wedding and it tells a lot about you and your partner, finally, it means a setting in which the most important part of your wedding is going to take place.
Related 27+ most popular wedding venues in Croatia
San Canzian
San Canzian Village & Hotel is one of the most romantic Rovinj wedding venues. It’s located in the heart of Istria and it offers a tranquil countryside wedding experience. This venue is perfect for a boutique wedding experience and can host weddings with up to 100 guests. San Canzian is surrounded by vineyards and olive groves which, together with the traditional architecture of this place, provide a perfect backdrop for your wedding.
Meneghetti heritage hotel
Meneghetti is a Wine Hotel and winery and, similarly to San Canzian, it’s located in the middle of vineyards and olive groves. It’s a perfect wedding venue for small and medium weddings with a capacity of 150 guests. Meneghetti property is located near Rovinj and offers a unique blend of romantic atmosphere and luxury. It’s also one of the most popular restaurants in Istria and offers diverse dining options with locally sourced food and wines.
Villa Lav
Villa Lav is located in Bale, not so far away from Rovinj. It’s a beautiful villa made in traditional Istrian style and it’s perfect for weddings with up to 50 guests. Apart from weddings, Villa Lav is perfect for elopements too. The property offers a lot of privacy and has a beautiful garden and pool area.
Red Island
Red Island is also known as St. Andrew’s Island and it’s located a short boat ride away from Rovinj. It’s one of the most unique Rovinj wedding venues because you can have your wedding on an island, surrounded by crystal clear Adriatic sea. Red Island is perfect for a wide range of wedding sizes and can host up to 200 guests. The island is full of lush gardens and it’s a great backdrop for your ceremony and reception.
Paladnjaki agro tourism
Paladnjaki agro-tourism offers an authentic Istrian experience and it’s perfect if you are seeking your Rovinj wedding to have a rustic traditional vibe. Paladnjaki is a family-run farm and it’s perfect for smaller weddings with the possibility of accommodation of up to 80 guests. You and your guests will love homemade dishes with locally sourced food, mostly from the farm itself.
Castle Belaj
Castle Belaj is something different than the other Rovinj wedding venues we mentioned above. It’s one of the venues with the best views of the Istrian countryside. Castle Belaj is perfect for medium and larger weddings and has the possibility to accommodate up to 250 guests. This castle venue offers a real fairytale vibe for your wedding day.
Rovinj Wedding Cost: A Comprehensive Breakdown
Apart from venues and vendors, budget is an important part of every destination wedding. It’s very hard to be precise with the prices nowadays when everything is changing so fast. Still, we decided to make a breakdown of the possible cost of a wedding in Rovinj. Please note that the prices mentioned here are an estimate, but they might give you a clearer image of the price ranges of specific wedding vendors. We’ll do our best to update these prices to reflect the actual state in the upcoming years.
Estimated Cost for a Wedding with 60 Guests
We are going to take a medium-sized wedding with 60 guests as the starting point for the calculation of possible price ranges for weddings in Rovinj. A wedding of this size is estimated to cost around €20,000 to €35,000. This price includes usual wedding components such as the venue, catering, photography, and more. Keep in mind that these prices might change based on your specific choices in vendors, the location of the venue, or any other particular needs.
Wedding Vendors Cost Breakdown
- Wedding Photographer and Videographer:
- Photographer: Photographer services in Rovinj could range from €1,200 to €2,800, depending on the hours of coverage. Editing and delivery of photo material is included in the price.
- Videographer: For a full day of videography you might be looking at €1,200 to €3,000.
- Wedding Planner:
- A local wedding planner in Rovinj could charge between €1,500 to €3,500, varying with their level of expertise and the complexity of your wedding wishes.
- Venue Rental Fee:
- Rovinj’s diversity of venue options, including historic sites, beach venues, and luxury resorts, could cost anywhere from €2,000 to €10,000. This fee is subject to change based on the venue’s popularity and the season in which you choose to get married in Rovinj.
- Hair and Makeup Artist:
- Bridal hair and makeup might cost you between €200 to €500. Additional services for bridesmaids or relatives would add to the total cost.
- Florist:
- Floral arrangements for a 60 guest wedding in Rovinj, including centerpieces, bridal bouquets, and other decor, can range from €700 to €2,500, varying according to flower selection, design, and seasonal availability.
- Wedding Officiant:
- A symbolic wedding officiant in Rovinj may cost between €300 to €700, with variations concerning the officiant’s experience, reputation, and personalized elements of the ceremony.
Legal requirements and paperwork
Foreigners can get legally married in Croatia but there is a bit of paperwork and bureaucracy that needs to be dealt with before a legal wedding can be organized. Organizing a legal wedding in Croatia can prove hard at times, especially if you are living far away. That’s why it’s good to hire a wedding planner who will help you with dealing with the necessary paperwork. Below are the things you might need to proceed with a legal ceremony in Croatia.
- Passports and Birth Certificates: Both parties need to provide valid passports and birth certificates.
- Certificate of No Impediment: This document confirms that there are no legal obstacles to the marriage.
- Translation and Apostille: All foreign documents must be translated into Croatian and apostilled.
Legal ceremonies are usually held in the Registrar’s Office which is, in most cases, located in a Town Hall. It’s possible for the Registrar to hold a ceremony at almost any given place, but in that case, an additional fee is required and the exact amount depends on the time of the day, distance from the Registrar’s Office, and day of the week.
Need a Rovinj wedding planner? We’ll recommend you the best ones
Wedding planners are one of the most important parts of every wedding and that’s the fact. It’s the person with whom you’re going to have the most contact regarding your destination wedding in Croatia. Through the years of being a wedding photographer and videographer, we have worked with many wedding planners all across Croatia and we’re able to help you choose the best one for your wedding in Rovinj. Just reach out to us and share your vision of a perfect wedding and we’ll connect you with the best local wedding planners who will help your wishes become reality.
Also, if you like our style and approach to wedding photography and videography, contact us and we’ll send you our packages and prices and hopefully be a part of your wedding in Rovinj.