Šibenik, Croatia Wedding Weekend

ŠIBENIK, CROATIA WEDDING WEEKEND
CHARLEY & JONATHAN, 3 DAYS ON THE ADRIATIC

This past summer I photographed Charley and Jonathan’s wedding in Šibenik, Croatia. The kind of three-day celebration that doesn’t feel “busy,” it feels intentional. Not a highlight reel. A full experience.

They’re the type of couple who care about presence more than performance, and you’ll feel that in their words later. They chose Croatia because of their roots and because it’s one of the few places that can do both: ancient stone + real sea air + modern design + food that turns a dinner into an event.

And Šibenik? It’s a sleeper in the best way.

A bride and groom embrace near large windows in softly lit Sibenik old town, with natural light creating a romantic setting.

Why Šibenik for an American destination wedding in Croatia


Most people default to Dubrovnik because it’s famous. I get it. But Šibenik gives you something Dubrovnik often can’t: space to breathe.

You still get the epic old-world backdrop with the cathedral square, limestone streets, and layers of history while staying close to the Adriatic.
It feels cinematic without feeling like you’re fighting the crowd all day.

Šibenik vs Dubrovnik vs Hvar (a personal comparison)

  • Dubrovnik: iconic, dramatic, often crowded and logistically heavier.
  • Hvar: sun-soaked, chic, yacht energy, amazing.
  • Šibenik: historic + local + refined without trying too hard. If you want authentic Croatia with elevated venues, it’s a strong choice.

How to get to Šibenik from the U.S.


Most American guests fly into Split and transfer up the coast. It’s straightforward, and it’s one of the reasons Šibenik works so well for multi-day destination weddings: the logistics are easier than people expect.

The wedding weekend itinerary

Day 1: D-Resort boat and a sunset cruise

Friday started at D-Resort Šibenik, right on the marina. You get this “we’re officially on vacation” feeling the second you arrive. Then we went full Croatia: boat time, salt on skin, and a sunset cruise where everyone loosened up fast. This is exactly why I love multi-day weddings: by day two, nobody is “camera aware.” Everybody is just in it.

Day 2: Getting ready, Old Town coffee, garden ceremony in Šibenik, and Bas de Bas party

Saturday was really the heart of the whole weekend. We started slow at D-Resort with getting ready, the kind of calm morning you actually want with no stress. Then we headed into the Old Town for coffee and a proper meet-up moment, that Gradska vijećnica vibe where everyone’s just drifting in, hugging, laughing, soaking up Šibenik.

The ceremony was at Jardín Medieval, the Medieval Mediterranean Garden, which honestly feels like you’ve stumbled into a hidden little corner of the city, intimate and so full of texture. And then we flipped the switch for the party at Bas de Bas by BIBICh. A place that offers vineyards, warm night air, music, and that perfect point in the evening when nobody’s thinking about the schedule anymore.

Day 3: Shark Beach Club day-after in Žaborić

Sunday was the exhale. Shark Beach Club, swims in the sea, a few cocktails, and that “we actually did it” glow. The day-after always tells the truth: everyone’s relaxed, the love has landed, and you feel the texture of the weekend.

The venues featured in this wedding (and why they work)

D-Resort Šibenik

Modern, sharp, effortless. It gives you room to breathe while you’re getting ready, and it photographs clean so the images just feel elevated without you having to fight the background.

Gradska vijećnica & Old Town atmosphere

If you want Old Town Europe without trying to manufacture it, this is it. The square gives you the instant atmosphere. It’s the kind of place where even a simple coffee moment feels like a film scene.

And Šibenik is a Game of Thrones location too: the Cathedral of St. James was used for Braavos (the Iron Bank backdrop).

The ceremony took place in the medieval Mediterranean garden: small, intimate, and so cinematic. Stone, greenery, texture, and that kind of quiet that makes it feel emotional, not performative.

Bas de Bas by BIBICh

Vineyards, incredible food, and space to actually move. It’s the kind of venue that turns into a real party without you having to force anything. Everyone looks good, everyone feels good, and the photos end up feeling exactly like the weekend felt.

My approach: editorial when it matters, documentary where it counts

I’ll guide you when you need it (so you look incredible). And then I get out of the way so your day can stay yours.
Jonathan said something after the wedding that hit me right in the chest:

“You gave us the gift of being present at our wedding.”

That’s the goal. Always.

Words from the couple and the planner

From Jonathan (the groom)

“Seb!
My goodness this is just breathtaking!
We just watched and it’s the greatest gift ever. You are such an incredible artist and you captured the best days of our lives with such joy, beauty, play, and intimacy.
What the actual frick, you are so good!
Thank you thank you thank you!”

From Irma, the wedding planner at Tie The Knot Croatia

“As a wedding planner I work with many photographers from around the world. Seb is one of the photographers I can’t recommend more. He’s not just extremely talented, he’s also a true artist, and most importantly a beautiful person. His energy shines from the moment you meet him, his approach will turn everyone into super models instantly. He combines editorial and documentary style so effortlessly, looking at his galleries is an experience. You can feel the place where couples got married through details he captures, you can feel all the emotions everyone had that day, you can smell the food they ate, even if you weren’t there. He adapts to all situations and location changes so easily and with a smile on his face. When he shoots, he also makes sure everyone has fun and is looking their best at the same time. In terms of communication, he’s very responsive, accommodating and friendly. You instantly feel like you’re best friends and he makes you feel like you’re in good hands from the first moment. I couldn’t recommend him more to everyone looking for a photographer anywhere in the world.”

If you’re planning a wedding in Croatia (Dubrovnik, Šibenik, Hvar)

If you’re an American couple coming to Europe and you want photos that feel editorial but alive, not stiff, not performative: reach out. I’ll help you build a photo plan that makes the weekend feel easy, and I’ll document it the way it actually felt.

WEDDING VENDORS


Wedding Planner Tie The Knot Croatia | Content Creator Lupe Media | Venues D-Resort (Boat Cruise and Getting Ready), Gradska Vijecnica (Coffee), Jardin Medeival (Ceremony), Bas de Bas by Bibich (Reception), Shark Beach Bar (Beach Party) | Wedding Dress Vivienne Westwood Hair & Makeup Artist Teamo Makeup N5 Split Estera Tolušić | Groom’s Attire Canali | Photography Sébastien Bicard Photography | Video CatPaw | Floral Designer Ivana Rozeta Events | DJ DJ Rea | Rings Rachel Boston | Ceremony Music String Quartet | Vintage Car Oldtimer

  • Black-and-white photo of a clear sky over Croatia, showing several seagulls flying at different heights near D-resort.
  • Aerial view of a Croatian old town with a domed cathedral, red-tiled buildings, and hilltop fortress in sunset light by the sea.
  • Soft sunlight casts branch shadows on an orange-brown stucco wall in Sibenik, Croatia; a weathered white strip lines the right edge.
  • Close-up of gently rippling dark blue water with soft light reflections near Sibenik’s old town, creating a calm, serene mood.
  • A teal wooden door with shutters set in a stone wall in Sibenik, Croatia, partly covered by vines and orange flowers.
  • A large stone cathedral with a domed roof and statues, framed by old town buildings at sunset. Partly cloudy sky; power lines visible.
  • Black and white photo of old buildings in Sibenik, Croatia, seen from below with shuttered windows, overhead wires, and cloudy sky.
  • Adults and a child walk on a marina dock in Sibenik, Croatia. Boats, modern buildings, and hills appear in the background under clouds.
  • Three men on a boat in Sibenik, Croatia; one takes a photo as another leans over the water, while a third man smiles nearby D-resort.
  • Man sits cross-legged at an outdoor table in Croatia, holding a straw hat and wearing light summer clothes and sandals.
  • Three women on a boat in Sibenik, smiling in colorful summer outfits and holding drinks, with water and buildings in the background.
  • A couple hugs and kisses on a boat near Sibenik, Croatia. She wears a light dress, he a jacket and cap. Water, shore, cloudy sky.
  • Rocky hill with sparse greenery beside calm blue water in Croatia at sunset, cloudy sky and distant hills in the background.
  • Reflection of man in sunglasses on window at sunset, with hills and a boat deck at D-resort visible in the background.
  • A woman in a strapless dress smiles, holding a curtain, as a man in a cap stands by her on a boat near Sibenik, Croatia; black and white.
  • A couple sits at the bow of a boat, embracing and kissing on calm water near a D-resort and tree-lined shores at dusk.
  • Rippling water reflects an orange-pink sunset near Croatia's coast, with a boat drifting gently across the colorful scene.
  • People sit on a boat under a canopy, listening to a woman. Black-and-white photo; rocky hills and water in the background.
  • A curved modern building on a Croatian peninsula is surrounded by water, near a marina, roads, greenery, and a distant town.
  • An open notebook with handwritten notes on a desk next to a pen, brown loafer, cufflink box, plaid handkerchief, and wedding card.
  • In a bright bedroom with wood floors, a groom in a tan suit buttons his jacket as his smiling friend supports him.
  • Groom in a light suit sits on a chair on a wooden balcony with glass railing in Sibenik, looking at the camera in black and white.
  • Three men in suits laugh and toast drinks in a modern living room, with the groom nearby. All smile, enjoying a lively moment in Croatia.
  • Dark clouds hang over calm water near Sibenik; distant hills and small boats are visible on the horizon, creating a tranquil scene.
  • Two women by a large window in Sibenik look out at water and hills on a cloudy day; one holds a wine glass. Black and white.
  • Handwritten note with blue stamp and personal message lies open by red envelope on white fabric as Croatian bride prepares.
  • Black-and-white photo of a woman in a lace-trimmed camisole, side view. Her dark hair is up with a loose curl framing her face.
  • Bride in yellow one-shoulder dress holds champagne, showing rings, decorated nails, and arm tattoo. Image cropped mid-thigh to shoulders.
  • A smiling bride in a camisole hugs a card and holds a gift bag in her lap, looking happy and relaxed. Black-and-white photo.
  • Two women in bright outfits hold champagne glasses by a white vanity at D-resort, preparing for a night out in Croatia.
  • A woman in a white dress has her makeup done at D-resort Sibenik as two women in formal wear wait in a bright, modern room.
  • Another woman fastens the back of a bride’s off-the-shoulder wedding dress near a large window in a softly lit modern room.
  • Person in a flowing white dress fastens a high-heeled shoe ankle strap on a wooden floor at D-resort, Croatia, black and white photo.
  • Woman in an off-the-shoulder gown stands by a window at D-resort, Sibenik, Croatia, lifting her dress to show heels. Black and white.
  • Woman in an off-shoulder white wedding gown stands at D-resort Sibenik, between a curtain and gray sofa, looking at the camera.
  • Two women in off-shoulder dresses embrace and smile at a wedding in Sibenik, shown in a black-and-white photo.
  • Four women get ready by a window: one in a green and white dress sits, others stand in yellow, white, and pink gowns indoors.
  • Groom in light suit walks on wet stone pavement in Sibenik, beside an old building; a few people stroll behind on a bright day.
  • People, including a groom, chat under umbrellas outside a historic stone building; coffee tables and stairs are visible.
  • Three well-dressed people talk in Sibenik’s old town square, with stone buildings and others visible in the background.
  • Black and white photo of a groom and another figure reflected on wet, tiled pavement, with blurred forms suggesting an old town.
  • Woman in gray dress and sunglasses stands beside bearded man in a checkered suit at an outdoor café in Sibenik’s old town.
  • A man in a light blue suit and a woman in a red dress smile together in an old courtyard; others chat or sit in the background.
  • Woman in yellow floral dress holds rosé wine in Sibenik’s old town, pink nails, light sweater over arms, face partly visible.
  • Three men in white shirts and black pants hold mandolin, guitar, and accordion on stone steps in Croatia before historic buildings.
  • Blurred image of people in colorful clothing walking up outdoor stone steps, viewed from above; some carry coffee cups.
  • A groom in a light beige suit with a boutonniere walks up sunlit stone steps in a narrow old town alley with weathered stone walls.
  • Three kids walk up stone steps between old stone walls in Sibenik; two have arms around each other. A fourth walks ahead. Black and white.
  • Garden wedding in Sibenik: white canopy over stone well, surrounded by greenery, flowers, groom nearby, house and cloudy sky behind.
  • Two men in pastel suits sit close under a canopy at a Croatian wedding, one holding a white parasol, smiling amid socializing guests.
  • Woman plays cello outdoors in Sibenik by a stone wall, with musicians, greenery, wine barrel; black and white wedding scene.
  • Two men in suits talk on a stone path in Sibenik. The man in green gestures; the other, in beige with a folder, smiles warmly.
  • A symmetrical garden in Sibenik from above with a central white gazebo, four green sections, intersecting paths, and nearby buildings.
  • Bride in white dress walks down outdoor garden aisle toward man in light suit, guests seated, stone building and blue sky visible.
  • Pomegranate tree in Sibenik, Croatia with green leaves and fruit, sunlight filtering through, and a blurred green background.
  • Man in sunglasses holds a parasol for shade among a seated crowd at an outdoor ceremony; old stone buildings in background.
  • At a Sibenik wedding, a bride in white stands under a canopy as a man with a microphone addresses another man in a light suit.
  • A boy in shorts and suspenders climbs a stone well with a white parasol. Baskets of parasols, greenery, and plants are nearby.
  • At a wedding in Sibenik, Croatia, a person reads vows from a notebook as another holds a mic; greenery and guests in the background.
  • A bride and groom stand with an officiant under a white canopy in a Croatian garden as guests with white parasols watch the ceremony.
  • Bride and groom smile, hands wrapped in cloth, during a Sibenik wedding as an officiant speaks into a mic. Black and white photo.
  • Bride and groom kiss under a white fabric arch in a garden wedding in Sibenik, Croatia, with the officiant smiling nearby.
  • Bride and groom sit under a white canopy in a Croatian garden, sharing a parasol that hides their faces; both dressed in light attire.
  • Bride and groom embrace outdoors in Sibenik under a sheer white veil, faces touching as soft sunlight filters through.
  • Bride in off-shoulder dress and veil stands with groom in light suit, gazing at each other amidst Sibenik old town greenery.
  • A groom in a light suit smiles and holds a white rose, reaching toward a bride under outdoor white drapery in a joyful moment.
  • Bride in off-shoulder white dress and veil with groom in beige suit, posing in a Croatia old town garden with greenery and stone walls.
  • Blurred black-and-white photo of a bride and groom by a stone building in Sibenik’s old town, with tall grass around them.
  • Bride in white dress and veil stands on steps, leaning toward smiling groom in light suit on a cobblestone street with stone buildings.
  • Woman in a white wedding dress stands on stone steps by a weathered red-brown wall in Croatia's old town, facing the camera.
  • Bride in off-shoulder gown and veil walks down stone stairs in Croatia’s old town with man in light suit; black-and-white, overhead view.
  • Bride in white dress walks down stone steps in Croatia, holding hands with man in beige suit by old stone building with shutters.
  • Bride in off-shoulder gown and veil kisses groom in light suit, embracing by an old town wall in soft, dramatic lighting.
  • Woman in off-shoulder white gown stands by groom in beige suit, posing in a softly lit room with tall windows, curtains, and marble floors.
  • Bride in off-shoulder gown and groom in suit dance in sunlit, marble-floored room with large windows in Sibenik’s old town, Croatia.
  • Bride in off-shoulder white gown and groom in light beige suit stand calmly under a stone archway for a timeless portrait.
  • A motion-blurred bride in a white dress and veil walks arm in arm with someone in a light suit on an old street in Sibenik.
  • A bride in a white dress and veil walks up sunlit stone steps with a man, near a textured wall and colorful Croatian buildings.
  • Bride and groom embrace outdoors, smiling at each other on stone steps with a softly blurred, sunlit background.
  • Out-of-focus couple in formal attire in the foreground; people walk by a stone building and staircase in Sibenik's old town.
  • Black and white close-up of a couple holding hands in Sibenik, Croatia; only their torsos and hands are visible.
  • Large clouds partially block the setting sun over a dark Croatian landscape, offering a scenic backdrop for a wedding reception.
  • Person in suit leans into a vintage car on a tree-lined gravel road in Croatia, with cypress trees and wedding group behind.
  • Bride and groom walk a tree-lined path in Croatia as guests throw petals; smiling children and adults celebrate before the reception.
  • A woman stands outdoors in Croatia, hands clasped and smiling, among wedding guests. The black-and-white photo shows cloudy skies.
  • Black-and-white photo of an outdoor Croatian wedding: couple arm-in-arm, backs to camera, guests smiling and clapping around them.
  • Wedding table with white linens, wooden chairs, and flowers set under string lights in a rustic Croatian courtyard with trees.
  • A classic black car drives down a cypress-lined dirt road through vineyards and greenery under a cloudy evening sky in Croatia.
  • A man in a light suit hugs a woman in pink, holding roses. Others, including a bride, smile at an outdoor wedding in Croatia.
  • A couple stands smiling on a gravel path by a Croatian vineyard. He wears a light suit; she has a sleeveless dress with a slit.
  • Three people stand close together outdoors at a wedding in Croatia; two face each other, one has their back to the camera. Black and white.
  • Silhouetted guests talk on a rooftop at a Croatian wedding, outlined against a clear evening sky in soft light, black and white.
  • Fabric seating chart titled Find Your Seat on wooden frame at Croatia wedding, displaying guests and tables amid candles and greenery.
  • Large agave plants by a stone wall overlook a field and cloudy sky at a sunset wedding reception in Croatia.
  • Aerial view of a vineyard wedding in Croatia with string lights, banquet tables, a pool, greenery, and mingling guests.
  • Person in white dress shirt, black tie, and BIBICH apron, upper torso visible; likely preparing for a Croatian wedding reception.
  • Bride and groom kiss in a Croatian vineyard at sunset, with dramatic clouds and grapevines in the background before their reception.
  • Evening wedding reception outdoors in Croatia; guests seated at a long table by a stone building, string lights, dusky sky.
  • A large group dines at a long outdoor table under string lights at dusk, enjoying food and conversation in a festive setting.
  • Black-and-white photo of two people at a wedding, sitting close and holding hands on a table with silverware. One wears a ring.
  • Smiling couple in formal wear sit at an outdoor table in Croatia, toasting with wine at dusk against a scenic landscape.
  • Bride in white dress holds hands with seated groom at outdoor Croatia wedding, string lights above, guests at a long table.
  • Outdoor wedding reception in Croatia with guests toasting at long tables under string lights by a modern glass building, warmly lit.
  • Black-and-white image: two people hug by a dinner table with food and drinks at a wedding; suited man watches, child in background.
  • Three people hug at a wedding. One woman wears a white dress, another a shawl and striped skirt, with a smiling man in a light suit. Black and white.
  • A white tablecloth with plates of half-eaten food, dessert remnants with a peach slice, a wine glass, and scattered utensils.
  • A man and woman seated on chairs at a wedding reception.
  • Two older men in suits hug at an outdoor wedding as guests watch from decorated tables under string lights on a Croatia night.
  • A bride and groom in formal wear cut a large gingerbread house at an outdoor night wedding, with bottles and candles on the table.
  • A bride and groom have their first dance outside at night under string lights, smiling and holding each other as guests look on.
  • Two women dance at night amid smoke and colorful lights at a lively Croatian party, with other guests moving to the music nearby.
  • Man in patterned shirt gives peace sign beside smiling woman with drink at outdoor night wedding in Croatia, string lights overhead.
  • A man and woman dance outside at night, holding hands and smiling under string lights, at a black-and-white Croatian wedding.
  • A man in a light suit smiles and points at the camera while dancing at a lively outdoor wedding in Croatia with people and string lights.
  • A woman in a white off-shoulder dress dances and smiles under colorful lights at a busy Croatia wedding, others dancing behind her.
  • Two women, one in white and one in green and white, hug at a lively Croatian wedding party. One smiles with closed eyes.
  • People dance under string lights by a pool at a night wedding in Croatia. Reflections show in the water; trees and tent behind. B&W.
  • Partygoers in Croatia dance under bright yellow, purple, and white lights; only their legs and feet show amid dramatic shadows.
  • Two women dance at night at a lively Croatia wedding; one in a short white dress, the other in yellow. Colorful lights and a bar behind.
  • Aerial view of a Croatian coastal town: colorful buildings, narrow beach, clear blue water with boats, hills, and Shark beach bar.
  • White outdoor lounge bed on sandy beach facing blue water, green islands, and clear sky near Croatia’s Shark beach bar.
  • Clear water flows over smooth stones, rippling and reflecting in a black-and-white river scene away from Croatia's busy beaches.
  • Man in striped shirt, red shorts claps on sunny deck at Shark Beach Bar, Croatia; woman in white follows with arm raised. Others nearby.
  • Woman in a one-piece swimsuit relaxes on a striped towel at Shark Beach Bar, face partly covered by hat. Croatia, black and white.
  • Woman in white bikini top and sarong at Shark Beach Bar holds orange juice and soda; outdoor seating, greenery, lively Croatia scene.
  • Three people relax on a white outdoor lounge by the water at Croatia’s Shark Beach Bar; two women, one man, all in swimwear.
  • People lounge and sunbathe by the sea near Croatia’s Shark beach bar; small islands and boats in distance. Image in black and white.
  • A plate from Shark Beach Bar, Croatia, holds watermelon slices topped with orange, grapes, banana, apple pieces, and crushed ice.
  • Four adults in swimwear chat by the water at Shark beach bar; two sit on a SHARK swing with a sunny sky and Croatia’s coast behind.
  • Two people relax on mattresses at Croatia's Shark beach bar in swimsuits, legs outstretched, in a casual black-and-white seaside scene.
  • Two people on a white mattress in Croatia share cheese pizza; only legs and arms visible. A cup nearby suggests a beach bar setting.
  • Two women laugh and hug on a mattress by the water at Shark Beach Bar, Croatia. One wears sunglasses; rocky shore and hills behind.
  • Bride and groom relax on an outdoor mattress near water at Shark beach bar, Croatia. He feeds her; both wear hats and sunglasses.