FAQs

Question

What will happen at the wedding?

Answer

The customs that we will be observing are Croatian traditions going back many centuries, with some slight modern twists ;) The day will begin with the two families getting ready separately. The groom and his family then head over to the venue (traditionally it would be the bride's house). The bride and groom each have a representative called a wedding captain, and when the families meet, the wedding captains will 'negotiate' the offerings of the family. While we know you would love to know how many goats, chickens and acres Luka will offer up for Aziza, she'd like you to remember he's getting a great deal either way because she's priceless. Once a deal has been made, the groom will enter the venue to find his bride and they will come out to celebrate with both families. Cue music and dancing! Traditionally, we would then be heading to the church - for our ceremony, we will be moving to a willow tree on the property - followed by a reception inside the venue.

Question

What will we be eating at the wedding?

Answer

You can expect passed appetizers upon arrival and throughout the beginning of the night. Those will be followed by soup (juha); cooked/boiled meat, salad, and bread (kuhano meso); roasted meat; salad and bread (peceno meso); and finished off with dessert. All of the main courses are served family style, not plated and all meats will be clearly labelled. "That sounds like a lot of food!" you say? Not to worry! Between each course, you will be dancing to work up an appetite for the next round. This is definitely a marathon rather than a sprint. A late night dinner (like a midnight snack but a whole meal) consisting of another meat will be served, typically alongside a soup (goulash or paprikash). Please ensure that you note any dietary restrictions when you RSVP so we can make sure we have options for everyone. In conclusion, bring your appetite!

Question

Where can I leave the wedding card I brought?

Answer

At Croatian weddings it is customary for guests to line up around midnight to greet the couple. The newlyweds will hand out thank you cards and you can leave your card in a box beside them. Don't feel like you need to watch the clock, just follow the crowd!

Question

What should I know about language in Croatia?

Answer

While most people who you meet working within some forms of the tourism industry will speak English, you'll score some extra points within Croatia (called Hrvatska in Croatian) if you try to speak their language (Hrvatski). Most Croatian words are pronounced as you would read them, except for the letters that have accents. Here are a few greetings and words that might help you along the way. Give it a try! Your effort will be appreciated. Zdravo - Hello Dobar Dan - Good day/Hello Kako si - How are you? Hvala - Thank you Molim te - Please Hrana - Food Chestitam - Congratulations Ziveli - Cheers Pice - drink

Question

What is Driving like in Croatia?

Answer

Left side? Right side? Manual? Automatic? You might be wondering what you need to know about getting behind the wheel. We've got good news! Driving in Croatia is very similar to driving in Canada, and much easier than navigating the streets of Toronto. There are fewer stop signs and more roundabouts, and jay-walking is not common and not recommended. If you'd like to drive around, rental cars are available at the airport and in all big cities. You'll find all the big name rental companies you're used to seeing in Croatia (Avis, Budget, etc). Both manual and automatic transmission cars are available but manual is much more common.

Question

What is Croatian food like?

Answer

Croatian cuisine varies depending on the region. Around the coast (Split, Dubrovnik, Zadar, etc.) you can expect plenty of seafood. Further north and more inland, you can expect various kinds of freshwater fish, meats, grains, and cheeses. Here are a few common staples you will see throughout the country: Ajvar - a condiment made of sweet bell peppers and eggplants. Think of it as a much upgraded and more delicious ketchup of sorts that will be generously added to starches and meats. We promise we won't judge you based on how much you decide to use - we'll be too busy slathering it on our meals to notice. Hren - this is horseradish often used in the same way as Ajvar. Burek - a kind of pastry/pie consisting of various savoury (meat and cheese) and sweet (fruit) fillings wrapped in phyllo pastry, similar to spanakopita. It's a great snack you can grab and eat on the go, and you really can't have too many. Mlinar - this amazing bakery is mainly found in the northern regions of Croatia and it has a number of locations in Zagreb. Among other delicious treats, Mlinar makes great burek different shapes with variety of fillings (spinach and cheese, meat, apricot, sour cherry). Look for blue and yellow sign and wear your stretchiest pants.

Question

What's a fun fact about Koprivnica?

Answer

If you read the back of most of the pantry/packaged food products in Croatia, you will see they are likely made by Podravka, a prominent food manufacturer that has its main headquarters and factories in Koprivnica. Half the working population in the town and surrounding areas used to be employed by Podravka, and their sister pharmaceutical company Belupo.