A Fairytale in the Heart of Dubrovnik: Maggie & Monty's Romantic Wedding at Villa Rose

Author: Natali Grace Levine
Wedding date: 06/13/2025
City: Dubrovnik

Love Story

"Monty and I have been together since 2019—so it's been six wonderful years," Maggie shares. "We first met in the fall of 2018. I was 22 at the time, and Monty was 26."

Though both grew up in Columbia, their paths never crossed until that fateful October weekend when mutual friends introduced them at a local bar called Nightcaps during a USC home football game. "We hit it off immediately and spent the evening talking and laughing," Maggie recalls, but since Monty was living in Greenville at the time, he went back after the weekend. Their second chance came at a Christmas charity party. "We hadn't planned on seeing each other there, but we ran into each other again—and that night, Monty asked me out on our first date," Maggie remembers with a smile. "And the rest, as they say, is history!"

The proposal happened during their annual family beach trip to Litchfield Beach, South Carolina, on July 1st, 2023. "I had a feeling the proposal might be coming sometime soon, but I was completely surprised when it actually happened!" Maggie laughs.

About Your Wedding

After their engagement, Maggie and Monty knew they wanted something extraordinary for their wedding day. With Maggie completing her doctorate in nursing, they decided to take their time with planning. "So, in total, we planned the wedding over the course of two years. It gave us time to enjoy the process without rushing, and it made the anticipation for the big day even sweeter."

"Our vision for our dream wedding was to create a joyful, unforgettable experience that felt more like a vacation than a traditional event—something intimate, fun, and shared with our closest family and friends," Maggie explains. "We knew from the beginning that we wanted to travel for our wedding and invite whoever was willing and excited to join us on the adventure!"

Their search for the perfect destination led them through various options. "We considered several destinations—from the Caribbean to Scotland, France, and Italy—but ultimately fell in love with the idea of getting married in Croatia. It offered the perfect blend of natural beauty, rich history, and a sense of romance and adventure that felt completely us."

The celebration spanned three magical venues: "Welcome Party: Port 22; Wedding ceremony: Sponza Palace; Wedding reception: Villa Rose (Island Kolocep)," creating a perfect progression from welcome drinks to ceremony to seaside celebration.

When it came to defining their wedding style, Maggie is clear about their priorities. "If we had to describe the style of our wedding in one word, it would be fun. That was our guiding concept from the start—we wanted the entire celebration to feel joyful, relaxed, and full of life, both for us and for our guests."

Their inspiration throughout the planning process was deeply connected to both their desired atmosphere and their chosen destination. "Throughout the planning process, we were most inspired by two things: the fun, joyful energy we wanted to create for our guests, and the incredible history and charm of Dubrovnik itself," Maggie explains.
"We really wanted our wedding to reflect the spirit of the city—its beauty, character, and sense of timeless romance—while still feeling vibrant and full of personality. That inspiration came through in all the little details, especially our wedding stationery. We incorporated bright, cheerful colors alongside subtle 'Easter eggs' that hinted at Dubrovnik's iconic scenery—giving our guests a playful preview of the destination. Then, once they arrived, they could connect those details to the real-life magic around them."

With 76 guests, the couple was overwhelmed by the love and support. "From the very beginning, we envisioned a small, intimate destination wedding—something meaningful, relaxed, and shared with our closest family and friends. Since the celebration took place so far from home, we expected a smaller turnout, but we were truly overwhelmed in the best way by how many of our loved ones made the journey to be there with us."

Bride Getting Ready

The morning of the wedding found Maggie surrounded by love in the most perfect setting. "We had our getting-ready photoshoot at a stunning house my parents rented in the heart of Old Town Dubrovnik for the week of the wedding. It was truly the perfect location—just steps away from Sponza Palace, as well as charming local restaurants and shops," Maggie describes.

The historic home provided the ideal backdrop for these precious pre-wedding moments. "The home itself was beautiful and spacious, which made it ideal for the entire bridal party to relax, get ready, and enjoy those special pre-wedding moments together. The atmosphere felt intimate yet grand, and the historic charm of the setting made for the most incredible backdrop for photos."

For her wedding dress, Maggie found her dream gown through a stroke of serendipity. "My wedding dress was designed by Lihi Hod. I actually went dress shopping twice, and on the second trip, we visited Ladies of Lineage in Charlotte, North Carolina—a boutique highly recommended by several friends who had wonderful experiences there and also found their dresses."

Fate seemed to intervene during her search. "As it turned out, they were hosting a Lihi Hod trunk show that very weekend—completely by chance! The dress I ultimately chose was the very first one I tried on at that shop, and I instantly fell in love with it. I had envisioned something with clean lines and flowy, romantic fabric, though I wasn't exactly sure how that would come together. The moment I put this gown on, I knew it was the one."

Her accessories were chosen with the same careful attention to detail. "To complete my bridal look, I chose a simple, long veil that I also found at Ladies of Lineage. It was the perfect complement to my dress—classic, understated, and elegant, allowing the gown to truly shine."

For her shoes, Maggie selected something truly special. "I wore a beautiful pair of heels by Christin Wu. They were crafted from white leather with a sheer pointed toe, adorned with delicate beaded floral details. They added just the right touch of romance and sophistication to the overall look, and I absolutely loved how they tied everything together."

The bride's bouquet was a work of art in itself, carefully chosen for both beauty and meaning. "For my bridal bouquet, I chose a delicate combination of white Lily of the Valley and Stephanotis. I loved both the elegance and symbolism of these flowers. Lily of the Valley represents sweetness and the return of happiness—such a beautiful sentiment for a wedding day. Stephanotis, often called Madagascar jasmine or bridal wreath, symbolizes marital happiness, good fortune, and the desire to journey through life together."

Family heirlooms added the most meaningful touches to Maggie's bridal look. "I was incredibly honored to wear special pieces of jewelry from both my grandmother and Monty's grandmother—heirlooms that added so much meaning to the day," she shares emotionally. "Just before our intimate legal ceremony at home (which we had ahead of our symbolic wedding in Dubrovnik), my paternal grandmother gifted me a beautiful diamond tennis bracelet that belonged to her. It was such a heartfelt and emotional moment, and wearing it during the ceremony was so special."

She also wore treasures from Monty's family. "I was also fortunate to wear two strands of pearls along with a stunning diamond and ruby brooch, paired with matching diamond and ruby earrings. These belonged to Monty's paternal grandmother. The pieces were elegant and timeless—true treasures—and it meant so much to wear them on such a special day."

The morning was filled with the warmth of family and friends. "I got ready for the wedding surrounded by the most important people in my life—my bridesmaids, our flower girls, Monty's sisters and mother, my aunt, my parents, and my grandparents. We spent the morning together at the house, getting our hair and makeup done, sharing laughs, and soaking in the excitement of the day."

A particularly sweet touch made the morning even more special. "My dad even made us breakfast, which made the morning feel that much more personal and meaningful. It was such a special, joy-filled time—one of those quiet, beautiful moments that I'll cherish forever."

Groom Getting Ready

While Maggie prepared with her bridesmaids, Monty was getting ready for the biggest day of his life at one of Dubrovnik's most prestigious hotels. The setting held special significance for the couple, making the morning even more meaningful.

"Monty got ready at The Pucić Palace, a historic hotel located in the heart of Dubrovnik's Old City. When we visited Dubrovnik in January 2024 to tour venues, we stayed at this hotel and instantly fell in love with its charm, character, and incredible views of the city," Maggie explains.
The choice to return to this special place added a beautiful full-circle moment to their wedding day. "We were lucky enough to book the very same suite for our wedding weekend, making it all the more special. It felt full-circle and deeply personal—returning to the place where so much of the planning began. The suite's old-world charm, paired with its location just steps from the ceremony venue, made it the perfect spot for Monty to relax and get ready for the big day."

Monty's wedding day style was a perfect reflection of his personality—classic with unique, personal touches. "Monty's tuxedo was designed by Jack Victor. He chose a sophisticated navy and black tuxedo jacket featuring a subtle paisley print, which added a touch of personality and texture to the classic look. He paired it with a crisp white tuxedo shirt by David Donahue, black trousers, and black dress shoes."

The finishing touch was truly special. "To complete the look, he added a unique feather bowtie from Brackish—an elegant, handcrafted detail that reflected his style and added just the right amount of flair. The ensemble struck the perfect balance between timeless and modern, with thoughtful touches that made it truly his own."

Surrounded by his closest friends and family, Monty's morning was filled with laughter and anticipation. "He spent the morning with his father, his best man, his brothers-in-law, and a close-knit group of friends—including my sister's boyfriend, his cousin, his childhood best friends, and, of course, our ring bearer—his nephew, Little David."

The atmosphere was perfectly relaxed and joyful. "It was a relaxed, meaningful time filled with laughter, stories, and excitement leading up to the ceremony. Having those closest to him there made the day even more special."

Ceremony

Maggie and Monty exchanged vows at Sponza Palace in Old Town Dubrovnik,where centuries of history provided the perfect backdrop for their most important moment.

Music was at the heart of their ceremony, with Maggie carefully selecting each piece for its personal significance. "One of the most special aspects of our ceremony was the music. I put a lot of thought into every piece played by the string quartet, Dubrovnik Wedding Music. Music has always been deeply meaningful to me, and I wanted the ceremony to feel seamless and intentional—like a beautiful, emotional score to the most important moment of our lives."

The musical journey began as guests arrived. "Though I couldn't hear every part of each song from behind the doors of Sponza Palace, it was so moving to catch glimpses of the melodies as they played. As guests arrived and were seated, Serenade for Strings set a romantic, elegant tone. When our families walked down the aisle, a string version of Elton John's Your Song played—one of our favorites."

Their wedding party was filled with family. "All five of our nieces. Eliza and Toccoa were our junior bridesmaids. Ruthie and Charley were our flower girls. They looked like beautiful angels!" Maggie beams. Their nephew David served as ring bearer. "The bridesmaids and flower girls walked to Caribbean Blue by Enya, arranged for strings, which added a dreamy, ethereal quality to the moment."

For her entrance, Maggie chose something deeply personal. "I walked down the aisle to The Nutcracker Grand Pas De Deux by Tchaikovsky. Ballet was a significant part of my life growing up—my sister and I spent many years performing in The Nutcracker in a variety of roles, and it holds such a special place in my heart." The choice was both meaningful and nostalgic. "This particular piece has always been one of my favorite Pas de Deuxs in all of ballet. It's elegant, emotional, and deeply nostalgic for me. Including it in our wedding day felt like a meaningful nod to a part of my life that shaped who I am. Walking down the aisle to that music made the moment even more magical and personal."

Their exit was pure joy. "For our grand exit, Monty and I walked out to a string version of Kiss Me by Sixpence None the Richer—a fun and joyful ending to a truly magical ceremony."

The entire experience felt like a dream to Maggie. "Walking down the aisle to one of my favorite pieces of music, seeing Monty waiting for me at the end, and being surrounded by such breathtaking beauty—it all felt like a dream. It's a moment I wish I could relive a thousand times over."

Photoshoot After The Ceremony

After exchanging vows in such a magnificent setting, there was no question where Maggie and Monty wanted to capture their first moments as newlyweds. "We chose Sponza Palace as the backdrop for our post-wedding photo session, and it couldn't have been more perfect. After saying 'I do' in such a breathtaking and historic setting, it felt only natural to capture those first moments as newlyweds right there among the timeless architecture and romantic ambiance," Maggie explains.

The decision allowed them to fully embrace the magic of the moment and location. "There's something incredibly special about wandering through the very place you were just married—reliving the emotions, soaking in the beauty, and knowing those walls now hold part of your story. It was the perfect way to preserve the magic of the ceremony and the setting that meant so much to us."

Wedding Venue & Decor

The visual story of Maggie and Monty's wedding was told through a carefully curated color palette that evolved from ceremony to reception, perfectly reflecting the different moods and settings of their celebration. "For our wedding, we chose a color palette that reflected both the elegance of the ceremony and the vibrant, celebratory feel of the reception," Maggie describes.

At Sponza Palace, the approach was elegantly minimal. "For the ceremony at Sponza Palace, we kept the palette classic and timeless with elegant whites. We wanted the beauty of the historic venue to shine, so we kept the décor minimal and refined—letting the architecture speak for itself."

The reception transformed into something completely different and exciting. "In contrast, the reception was all about fun and energy. We brought in a vibrant mix of bright pinks, bold oranges, and fresh greens to create a lively, joyful atmosphere. The colorful florals popped beautifully against the backdrop of the sea, perfectly capturing the festive spirit we envisioned for the celebration." This thoughtful transition perfectly captured their wedding's essence. "The transition from soft and romantic to bold and playful made the day feel dynamic and full of personality—just the way we imagined."

One of the most touching personal touches came from a family treasure. "One of the most meaningful personalized items I had on our wedding day was a handkerchief gifted to me by my mother. After she passed, my mom found a note in one of her journals that was addressed to me." The message was incredibly moving. "It read: 'Maggie, your smiles are the best medicine Memaw has... keep smiling. I love you so much — Bunches, Memaw!' My mom had that note carefully embroidered onto a handkerchief using my grandmother's actual handwriting. It was the most thoughtful and emotional gift, and I was incredibly touched. Having that handkerchief with me on the wedding day made me feel as though a part of my grandmother was there, and it brought tears to my eyes. It's a keepsake I'll treasure forever."

Reception

After the ceremony's elegant beauty, the reception at Villa Rose on Island Kolocep brought pure celebration and joy. The evening began with a moment that perfectly captured the magic of their entire wedding.

"The key moment we'll always remember from our wedding was the moment we walked out of Sponza Palace as husband and wife. The sun was shining, the bells of the old city were ringing—and waiting just outside, on the beautiful Tirena Galleon ship, were our closest family and friends, cheering for us with so much love and excitement," Maggie recalls with obvious emotion.

This transition from ceremony to reception was nothing short of cinematic. "Seeing them there, waving and celebrating from this incredible historic ship in the heart of Dubrovnik, was completely surreal. It was the perfect mix of joy, emotion, and pure celebration. After all the planning and anticipation, that was the moment it truly hit us—we were married, in one of the most magical places we could imagine, surrounded by the people who mean the most to us. It's a memory we'll cherish forever."

The reception itself was designed to be a joyful celebration that reflected the couple's fun-loving personalities. Their first dance choice perfectly embodied this spirit. "We chose 'Islands in the Stream' by Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers for our first dance. It's always been one of our favorite songs, and we have so many fun memories singing it together—whether in the car or during one of our many karaoke nights (which we absolutely love)," Maggie shares with a laugh.

The culinary experience was carefully curated to reflect their tastes while celebrating the beautiful setting. "We served some special food and drinks that reflected our personal tastes and added a fun, relaxed touch to the evening. At Sponza palace, we had a drink reception immediately following the ceremony with sparkling wine and champagne. For dinner, guests enjoyed a choice of steak or tuna—two of our favorite dishes that we often enjoy at home, made even more memorable by how deliciously they were prepared."

The welcome drinks set the perfect tone for the evening. "As guests arrived at the reception, we served Aperol Spritz and local beer as our signature welcome drinks. We wanted the atmosphere to feel festive but casual, and these felt like the perfect mix of light, refreshing, and fun."

The evening's finale was a delightful surprise that kept the celebration going strong. "Later in the evening, we surprised everyone with an espresso martini bar to keep the energy up and the party going. It paired perfectly with our chocolate wedding cake and was such a hit with our guests—it was the perfect sweet and spirited ending to a perfect night."
The wedding cake came from "The talented team at Villa Rose," bringing their Croatian celebration full circle with local expertise and artistry.

Maggie and Monty's Croatian adventure was more than just a wedding—it was the beginning of their greatest adventure together, celebrated in one of the world's most romantic destinations with the people who matter most.