When the opportunity came to us to design a Tyler Gardens wedding minimony styled shoot, our hearts were a flutter. When our vendors were on board for Croatia-inspired wedding décor, we couldn’t have been more excited! We barely could wait to see the Tyler Gardens photos and now we can finally share them with you.

We had the utmost privilege of working with Idalia Photography, one of our favorite wedding professionals to collaborate. We wanted to create a look that was both luxurious and timeless, with touches of modernity to keep it feeling fresh. With so many wanting a true European destination wedding, we wanted to inspire couples to highlight their heritage right here in the United States if travel was not possible, but also for couples traveling to Croatia to have a canvas of inspiration for their wedding day as well. We wanted to capture the beauty of elevated tradition and tell a story of personal heritage entwined with the natural beauty of a garden estate, embracing old stone and natural elements for a luxury mini-ceremony experience.

We are also very excited to share that as of today, this shoot was published in Destination I Do.

Croatia Inspired Tyler Gardens Wedding Minimony┃Design by Dee Kay Events┃Photo by Idalia Photography

Croatia-Inspired Wedding Minimony at Tyler Gardens

If you’re looking for a wedding venue with a bit of European flair, Tyler Gardens in Newtown, PA is a great option. If you’re planning a destination wedding in Croatia or just want to bring a bit of the Croatian spirit to your celebration, be sure to check out Tyler Gardens. This beautiful estate is the perfect setting for an unforgettable mini-ceremony experience. This luxurious estate features lovely gardens and an old stone mansion that provides the perfect backdrop for a romantic minimony. From its centuries-old stone walls to its lush gardens and tranquil ponds, Tyler Gardens is the perfect backdrop for a romantic wedding ceremony. We were inspired by the natural beauty of Tyler Gardens as well as the Croatian landscape when planning our shoot.

As you walk through the estate’s gardens, you are greeted by a beautiful stone wall and walkway, which served as the backdrop for the ceremony. The gardens and the estate’s natural beauty provided some beautiful portraits. The result was a stunning collection of images that perfectly captured the essence of Croatia.

Croatian Wedding Décor

Combining the allure of Croatia with a relaxed and romantic atmosphere came easily to us. When you think of Croatia, what comes to mind? For most people, the first thought is of the stunningly beautiful coastlines with their crystal-clear waters and lush green hills. But inland, the country is just as breathtaking, with its rolling countryside and ancient villages. It’s no wonder that so many couples are choosing to get married in Croatia these days.

We wanted to create an atmosphere inspired by the beauty of Croatia and its old-world glamour. Our goal was to create a look that was both elegant and timeless. We chose to use natural elements like stone and wood as accents, and we added touches of metallic gold for a bit of luxury. The result was a rustic yet glamorous wedding style that would be perfect for any couple looking to add a bit of European flair to their celebration.

Croatian Wedding Inspiration

If Croatia is your heritage or if you are looking for some beautiful European inspiration, so many Croatian traditions can be incorporated into your wedding stateside. With the right details and inspiration, you can have a taste of Croatia without having to travel all the way overseas.

Invitations

As a first-generation Croatian-American, Diane Kolanović-Šolaja, Creative Director and Owner of Dee Kay Events, provided inspirational photos of her father’s fishing village located in the peninsula of Zadar County in Croatia. Kelly Kellett, of Suite Scape Design, took these photos and transformed them into a breathtaking watercolor to provide a luxurious envelope insert for the invitations. A subtle ode to Croatian heritage and beautiful inspiration for guests receiving a luxe wedding invitation.

Welcome Gifts

The welcome would extend to guests with hotel gifts inspired by the scents and tastes of a Croatian destination wedding. With products infused with lavender and authentic Croatian fig jam, guests would be delighted to have such a beautiful display to enjoy after their travels.

Florals

We made sure that the inspiration list of florals highlighted the natural elements found in local flora around Croatia. Rosemary, lavender, figs, blackberries, thistle, fennel, and olives play an important role in the natural organics of Croatia. All of these are included in one’s wedding day as well. We also focused on flowers native to Croatia such as the iris Croatica, carnations, ruscus and the begonia. Abby of Pretty Posh Designs made sure that we had a few of these to highlight through our floral story.

Linens

The White Isabella Lace linen from Nuage Designs perfectly captured the crocheted lace of Croatia, a staple found in every household, and an ode to an older generation of the beauty of hand-made design. Paired with Finezza Cream Charger Plate from Magnolia Designs, the tablescape was filled with florals and textures of Croatia in one beautiful luxurious display.

Cuisine

Food and drink are at the forefront of a Croatian wedding with celebrations usually lasting two days over a weekend. We wanted to create a menu with authentic cuisine and were inspired by Konoba Huntington, a Croatian-inspired tavern located in Huntington, NY. We featured a few of their dishes on the beautiful menus created by Suite Scape Designs.

Authentic Croatian desserts were provided by Take the Cake by MC that highlighted traditional Breskvice (Croatian peach cookies), Kiflice (almond crescent cookies) and Čupavci (chocolate covered sponge cake covered with coconut) which can be found on any dessert table for Croatian weddings. And, Sugarush provided a Nutella hazelnut crème filled cake, a flavor popular in Croatia.

Every Croatian wedding incorporates the tradition of having an aperitif as a symbol of good luck to the couple. This also included digestifs being sampled by the guests while the Best Man and Maid of Honor share these delights with guests. We designed a bar cart of these usually homemade moonshines with a bit of twist – a signature cocktail with lavender and another with rose to highlight all these delights in one delicate and delicious cocktail to toast the couple with good health and many years of happiness.

Croatia Inspired Minimony

The Tyler Gardens Minimony was a beautiful example of how to incorporate Croatian wedding décor, traditions, and elements into an intimate wedding celebration. From the breathtaking watercolor invitation envelope inserts to the delicious Croatian desserts, this special styled shoot truly represented Croatia’s culture and heritage uniquely. The Tyler Gardens photos captured every detail flawlessly from the hotel gifts to the florals, linens, menus and bar cart – making sure that details were at the forefront to inspire marriers to use for their celebration.

This Tyler Gardens Minimony was just one example of how you can include Croatian traditions into your special day. With some creativity and thoughtful planning, anyone can have their dream destination wedding without having to travel abroad!

Tyler Gardens Wedding Minimony: Creative Team

Design & Planning | Dee Kay Events
Photography & Education | Idalia Photography
Additional Photography | Jocelyn Cruz Photography, Imagery by Marianne, Kartheek Photo
Venue | Tyler Gardens
Florals | Pretty Posh Events
Cinema | Sweet Start Weddings
Celebrant | Alisa Tongg
Linens | Nuage Designs Inc. 
Tabletop Rentals | Magnolia Events
Rentals | Open Aire Affairs
Lounge Rentals | Allaire Rentals 
Invitations & Flatlay Styling | Suite Scape Design
Calligraphy | The Markup Artist 
Cake | Sugarush Red Bank
Croatian Desserts | Take the Cake by MC 
Croatian Inspired Menu | Konoba Huntington
Makeup Artistry | My Beauty Makeup Artistry 
Hair Artistry | Daneen Jensen Hair & Makeup
Dress Boutique | White House Bride 
Dress Designer | Essense of Australia 
Bridesmaids Dresses | Rent the Runway
Accessories | Happily Ever Borrowed and Nina Shoes 
Welcome Gift Design | Dee Kay Events 
Jewelry | Eyesea Jewelry
Styling Mats | Stained by MRP 
Models | Shannon Leigh Smith, Chris Smith, Rosie, Anselmo, Abayomi Crozier
Speakers | Idalia Photography, Dee Kay Events, Sweet Start Weddings, Pretty Posh Events, Alissa Tongg, and 5th Avenue Weddings

Tyler Gardens Wedding Minimony

Diane Kolanović-Šolaja Creative Director & Owner

Diane Kolanović-Šolaja, Creative Director and Owner of Dee Kay Events, is an award-winning wedding planner, author, and speaker. Equipped with a dynamic blend of experience in corporate law and technology, a gut feeling with a 90-day plan, and an undying passion for uniting people in celebration, she transformed her vision to help people into a leading tri-state wedding planning service. Diane's approach is deeply personal, blending meticulous planning with a flair for design and a commitment to cherished memories, creating over a decade-long legacy of crafting luxurious, unforgettable weddings. Diane's journey demonstrates her unwavering dedication to celebrating love across the Jersey Shore and beyond, making every marrier's dream day a splendid reality.

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