A Sun-Kissed Love Story in Dubrovnik: Riley & Matt's Destination Wedding at Vala Beach

Love Story

College serendipity brought Riley and Matt together at USC in 2016 when he strategically chose the seat next to her on the first day of class. "What started as a great friendship quickly turned into love," Riley shares. Their romance blossomed amidst USC football tailgates and adventures abroad, but it was a fateful trip to Croatia in 2018 that would shape their future. "Ever since, it has become a beloved summer tradition."

After six years together, Matt orchestrated a surprise proposal at Laguna Beach in spring 2023. "I thought we were just going to dinner," Riley laughs, "but as Matt nervously paced in front of the restaurant, I realized something was up." The beach proposal ended in a joyful celebration with both families.

For their July 24, 2024 nuptials, the couple welcomed 88 guests to Dubrovnik, Croatia. Their vision combined Matt's heritage with Riley's dream of a waterfront celebration. "I wanted an intimate celebration where I knew everyone in attendance, rather than having distant relatives or unfamiliar faces," Riley shares. "Once we chose Croatia, we got the best of both worlds. Matt wanted to showcase where his family is from and the history and beauty of the old city of Dubrovnik, combined with Sponza Palace, was the perfect venue for that. Meanwhile, I wanted a stunning view of the water, and Hotel Palace delivered exactly what I envisioned. Together, the two venues created the most magical backdrop for our special day."

The planning process was guided by creative inspiration from Pinterest and the expertise of their wedding planner, Maja from YES I DU Weddings. "Maja was an incredible source of inspiration and guidance, helping us turn our dreams into reality," Riley notes. Her maid of honor played a crucial role too, "sharing creative suggestions and keeping me motivated throughout the process."

The couple's favorite moment? Their grand entrance into the venue. "It was surreal to see our vision come to life," they reminisce. "We’ll never forget the incredible feeling of being in Croatia, surrounded by our closest friends and family, sharing such a special day. The beauty of the venue was absolutely breathtaking and made the moment even more unforgettable."

Morning details

When unexpected challenges arose with their wedding stationery just weeks before the big day, it became a beautiful testament to friendship and teamwork. "Our stationery designer had a family emergency just 1 1/2 weeks before the wedding," the bride shares. "Our wedding stationery ended up being a collaborative effort between my friend Sommer, who designed it, myself, and my maid of honor, Maddie, who worked together to put it all together."

Bride getting ready

The morning of the wedding unfolded in a stunning Airbnb villa with ocean views, rented by Riley's mother-in-law. "It had plenty of space and a stunning ocean view, which made getting ready so much easier and even more special. The spacious setup allowed for a relaxed atmosphere, and the breathtaking views provided the perfect backdrop for our photos," Riley shares. "We made sure to take plenty of pictures outside to capture the incredible scenery!"

Finding her perfect Ines Di Santo gown was a whirlwind journey that began in October 2023. "I quickly realized I didn’t have much time to decide since the lead times were around seven months," Riley explains. "I visited six bridal boutiques and tried on about 20 dresses before finding the one. It was a whirlwind process, but I couldn’t be happier with my choice!"

The getting-ready moments were made extra special by the presence of her closest loved ones. "Having all of them there made the morning so special and full of love, laughter, and excitement!"

Groom getting ready

At Hotel Palace in Dubrovnik, Matt prepared for his big day in sophisticated style. His choice of attire spoke volumes about his attention to detail: "Matt got a custom black tuxedo from Suit Supply that was made of pure S150's wool," Riley shares. "It featured a custom horsebit brown interior, black satin lapel, and custom engravings adding a unique and personal touch to the design." The luxurious ensemble was completed with a Rolex and Gucci loafers, striking the perfect balance between classic and contemporary elegance.

The getting-ready photos captured intimate moments on the hotel room balcony and in the grand lobby, preserving memories of these precious pre-ceremony moments. Matt was surrounded by his closest companions. "They shared many laughs - drinking beers and šljivovica - making Matt’s time before the wedding one he will never forget," Riley recalls with a smile.

First Look

In a moment touched by serendipity, rain led to a last-minute change of location for the first look. The couple met at Rector's Palace in Old Town Dubrovnik,where the unexpected shower only added to the magic. "The moment was truly magical, and we were told that rain brings good luck," they share, "so it felt like a sign of something special."

Ceremony

The historic Sponza Palace in Old Town Dubrovnik provided a breathtaking backdrop for Riley and Matt's union. This architectural gem, with its timeless beauty, created the perfect setting for their heartfelt ceremony.

As the string quartet's rendition of "Over the Rainbow" filled the air, Riley seemed to float down the aisle in her beautiful gown, creating a moment that left guests speechless. In one of the most touching elements of the ceremony, the first two seats in the front row were adorned with roses – a beautiful tribute to both fathers who had passed away.

The couple's close friend Alex officiated the symbolic ceremony, weaving personal touches throughout. The historic walls of Sponza Palace witnessed not just a wedding ceremony, but a beautiful moment where past and present, love and remembrance, came together in perfect harmony.

Photoshoot after the ceremony

Wedding Venue & Decor

The reception unfolded at the exclusive Vala beach on Lapad peninsula, a secluded paradise offering spectacular views of the Elaphite islands. "The decor was nothing short of cinematic," Riley reminisces, her eyes lighting up as she describes their vision come to life.

The couple chose a sophisticated color palette that perfectly complemented the natural beauty of their surroundings. "The color palette of our wedding was a blend of ivory, light blue, gold, and some touches of green," they explain. "These colors were reflected throughout our wedding decor, creating a soft and elegant atmosphere with a little bit of warmth and freshness."

Luxury met nature in the stunning tableware arrangements. Ivory tablecloths provided an elegant canvas for white charger plates with gold rims, while blue napkins and gold cutlery added sophisticated touches. The high centerpieces were a symphony of white roses, hydrangeas, lisianthus, and orchids, intertwined with lush greenery. Overhead, crystal chandeliers cast a magical glow across the celebration, completing what Riley describes as "the luxurious looks of the entire wedding setup."

Reception

For their first dance, the couple chose "You and I" by Rebelution, adding their unique touch to tradition. "Every year, it's a tradition for us to attend a Rebelution concert, and we both love reggae music," they explain. "When the album first came out, we listened to this song a lot, and the lyrics always made us picture the day we’d get married. We wanted to pick a song that was different, as we feel like a lot of people don’t typically choose this genre for a wedding. It’s a beautiful song about love and marriage, and it felt like the perfect fit for our first dance."

With every toast and sweet embrace, the promise of forever felt as natural as the ocean’s tide—constant, steady, and full of love. It was a night they will cherish always, a perfect finale to a day that began a whole new chapter in their love story.