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“The series is from a secret proposal that took place in small town of Volosko, north coast of Croatia. Wietse contacted me with a wish to have a photographer for this proposal. We handled it as a couples photoshoot, so Lisa knew about me, but didn’t know that she’s going to be proposed to. Of course, their dog Balto was a part of the story, as he is a very important part of this family. The surprise was grand, full of emotions and love.” Dalibora, the photographer
Who chose the location?
Dalibora, the photographer: I was the one to suggest the location. Croatia can be busy in June already, if the weather is ok it’s already a full season mid June. So I decided to suggest Volosko, a beautiful picturesque small town on the north Croatian coast that has an amazing walk along the coastline with many small places along the way that can be perfect for these kind of shoots. I knew we can improvise along the way, if there are people around. This is a public space, no permits are required.
How easy is the location to access? Is it quiet or crowded?
Dalibora: It’s easy to access, it’s as we call it “lungo mare” walk area along the seaside. Many locals go to have a walk here or just sit to watch the sea and enjoy. It is usually not over-crowded, even during summer time. Especially at the end of the day, when everyone goes home for dinner after spending the day at the beach.
How did you approach capturing photos of the proposal and still keeping it a surprise?
Dalibora: Lisa knew they are going to have a couples photo shoot. It was “a gift” for their roadtrip.
What are your top tips for planning a proposal in this area?
Dalibora: Listen to your photographer – if they’re local or have experienced photo shoots here then they will know details about how light behaves at certain time of the day, how many people to expect around, are there quiet corners where the proposal could be more intimate. I always recommend a local restaurant to finish the day with a nice dinner to celebrate with a glass of good wine and some mediterranean food – I love to make a reservation for my clients and help the whole experience be even more wonderful!
Is there a best time of year to visit this location?
Dalibora: Consider time of the year. July and August in Croatia can be very busy and full of tourists. May, beginning of June or mid September can be the best time to do a proposal if we are talking about Croatian coast.
Any other advice or tips you would like to share based on your experience?
Dalibora: Share your story with the photographer, make it personal as much as you can. Don’t just think in terms of Pinterest photos, make it memorable day for both of you – and make it YOURS!
Why did you choose this location to propose?
Wietse: For our summer vacation, we had planned a trip through Croatia, together with our four-legged friend Balto. At that point, we had been together for two years. When we left, I didn’t have a concrete idea of how I was going to propose to Lisa, but I did know that I wanted to make it a special moment. During the trip, I started looking for a local wedding photographer and came across Dalibora. She suggested the location because she knew some beautiful spots there. Afterwards, I adjusted our travel plans so that we would be near Volosko.
Was the proposal a surprise?
Lisa: I had a feeling that something was going to happen on the trip because my mother-in-law had dropped a few hints about it. At one point, Wietse told me that he had planned a photo shoot with a local photographer to take some nice pictures of us. Of course, I knew right away what was going to happen. Nevertheless, I still felt a healthy dose of stress about what lay ahead.
What were the biggest challenges you faced planning a proposal abroad?
Wietse: We didn’t plan anything in advance for our trip because we wanted to be able to adapt to the weather and leave room for recommendations from the locals. It was also difficult to find a good photographer who understood exactly what kind of photos I wanted. Luckily, I found Dalibora!
What advice would you give to others thinking of planning a proposal in this location?
Wietse & Lisa: Hire Dalibora as your photographer! She really created a wonderful atmosphere and helped make the proposal a special moment.
What advice would you give to others planning a proposal abroad?
Wietse: Make a flexible travel plan so you have a rough idea of where you will be at any given time. This will make it easier to find the perfect spot to go down on one knee! Search for interesting places on blogs or look for an Instagram account belonging to someone from the country you are traveling to. This way, you can discover hidden gems through others.
Did you already have a ring? Was it a surprise or did you buy it together?
Wietse: I had been searching for the perfect engagement ring for a while before the trip. I knew what Lisa liked, so I could search very specifically. Eventually, I ended up at “Huis De Waele” in Belgium, where I found a ring that was perfect for Lisa.
Any fun stories you’d like to share about the proposal?
Wietse & Lisa: Since we were traveling by car and a roof tent, Balto was with us during the engagement. Dalibora took care of Balto like a true dog lover, so we could enjoy moments together as a couple as well as moments with Balto. When Wietse got down on one knee in the water, Balto enthusiastically joined us in front of the camera.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Wietse & Lisa: Of course, hiring a photographer isn’t cheap, but it’s totally worth it. These are photos you’ll cherish for the rest of your life, allowing you to relive the moment. We used one of our photos for our “save the date” cards.
The Vendors:
Photography: Dalibora Bijelic
Ring: Huis de Waele
