With such a spectacular setting, the couple opted to keep decor simple. “We really leaned into the ambiance of the castle. Zander’s very big on lighting, so we had a lot of candles,” says Stephanie. Branches of eucalyptus (a nod to Australia) and white flowers like stephanotis (recalling the bride’s name) nailed a “crisp, clean aesthetic.”
Really trust your planners
As the two biggest decisions, the couple considered venues and event planners “in tandem,” they say. Through the bride’s consular connections, they chose to work with Fabulatorij Agency, a Ljubljana-based firm. “We did some research on our own, but everything really came more alive when we started working with Fabulatorij,” says Stephanie, calling them the “ideal partner.” Among some of their key undertakings were putting together a brief of possible venues, communicating with local vendors with little to no English fluency, and receiving many packages—such as gift bag items—in advance.
So comfortable was the couple with Fabulatorij that they didn’t even visit Grad Štanjel in person before they booked it—the team made site visits on their behalf and FaceTimed the couple in. “Technology makes things so easy these days! I was having them turn the camera this way and that way to make sure that things weren’t being left off screen that might otherwise have not been to our aesthetic,” Stephanie says.
Let the vendors flow from there
Working with Grad Štanjel made some of their other vendor choices pretty simple; the property’s restaurant, Bistro Grad Štanjel by Q KOMEL, is an award-winning spot and the exclusive catering partner for events, while a member of the owner’s family serves as in-house florist. Elsewhere, the couple were determined to choose smaller, Slovenian vendors, lists of whom Fabulatorij was happy to supply.
They e-met with several photographers but opted for Aljosa Videtic for his warm demeanor and chic editorial style, while they chose the Josip Brass Band after watching a few of their sets on YouTube. They were even able to play English-speaking hits like “Wannabe” by the Spice Girls and their first dance song, “The Best” by Tina Turner.
Prepare for calls at all hours across time zones
As happy as they ultimately were with their Slovenian vendors, managing communications while planning in Europe, working in New York, and hammering out travel plans with loved ones in Australia was the single most difficult aspect of the process. The “relentless” schedule left them feeling constantly engaged and glued to their phones and computers, the couple say.
Plan an unforgettable introduction to the country
That their loved ones were so unfamiliar with this tiny corner of the world could have been daunting, but the couple leaned into their roles as tour guides. For the logistics of getting to Slovenia and to Štanjel, they provided guests with access to a travel agent, and constantly updated the frequently asked questions on their wedding website. Their website also offered some key words and phrases in Slovenian for their reference, though most of the country speaks English.
