Everything you need to know about a Montenegro destination wedding

Thinking of getting married in beautiful Montenegro in southeastern Europe? Choosing Montenegro as a wedding destination will never disappoint!  The country sits next to Croatia and opposite Italy, so it’s surrounded by breathtaking views and stunning beaches, mountains, and valleys, perfect for any wedding ceremony backdrop. All budgets can be accommodated in Montenegro and the local people are so friendly and welcoming. 

Getting married abroad means there are important things you’ll probably have to do differently. In this blog, The Celebrant Directory member Sue Dixon takes us through the key things you will need to know when it comes to planning a destination wedding in Montenegro.

How much does it cost to get married in Montenegro?

Wedding ceremonies in Montenegro can be whatever you want them to be! Sounds obvious, but there really is something for everyone  – you are only restricted by your imagination (and budget of course). There are plenty of lovely hotels, some located right on the waterfront, beautiful villas with stunning views, yachts, and the tops of mountains outside ancient chapels, are just a few of your choices. It’s a small unspoiled country and Celebrant Weddings are only recently becoming more popular with couples.

It’s a unique and special place for your memorable occasion, and one where some of your guests might have never visited before; yet still within easy and affordable reach of the UK.

What documentation do I need to get married in Montenegro?

There are so many stunning places in Montenegro and as long as you follow the correct steps to lawfully marry, then it is a relatively simple process to start planning. 

1. Organizing a Certificate of No Impediment is the first thing you need to ensure you have before you plan your wedding in Montenegro. This certificate states that it is legally possible for you and your partner to marry. You should organize this in your home country and also speak with your celebrant or registrar in Montenegro to see if there are any expiry limits in place. Your CNI needs to be issued 3-6 months before the ceremony in your home country/countries.

2. All documents MUST be translated by an official translator and stamped with an apostille, here in Montenegro. In order to register with the authorities, you need to show:

• Passports.
• Full birth certificates.
• Certificates of No Impediment issued 3-6 months before the ceremony, in your home country/countries.
• Copies of your witnesses’ passports.
• If you have been divorced, then the final divorce papers must be shown.
• If you are widowed, then the death certificate of your previous spouse must be shown.

3. The legal requirements for marriage in Montenegro are both men and women need to be 18 years of age. The bride and groom may not be closely related by blood and two witnesses are required – who must send copies of their ID to the authorities before the wedding takes place.

4. You must give the notice to marry at least 7 days before the ceremony takes place, – but longer than that is recommended. This gets you your marriage license.

5. The registration of documents has to be done in person, so would possibly require two trips to finalize things, or you will need to come over a little earlier than the wedding itself.

Do I need a visa to come to Montenegro?

You can come to Montenegro on a tourist visa and be married during that 3 month period at any time.

If you decide you wish to do the Montenegrin legal marriage at the local Civic Offices, then this will be legally binding in the UK – so long as all the requirements and translations have been adhered to.  The Certificate of Marriage will need translating and stamping again at the Notary, and you will then receive this a few days later.

What if I want to have a Celebrant-led wedding?

If you wish to use a celebrant in Montenegro, you can together design your own special personalised ceremony. It is more usual for UK couples to do the ‘legal’ part as a quick civil ceremony in the UK before traveling to Montenegro for the personalised wedding ceremony. This is the one that most couples who come to Montenegro determine as their ‘proper wedding’. 

The only British-trained celebrant in Montenegro currently is Sue Dixon. She works closely with wedding planner Michèle, and together they offer a strong partnership to meet your personal requirements.

The bureaucracy here can be a little difficult to navigate, and whilst a good wedding planner will be able to assist you in obtaining all the necessary paperwork, it is far more straightforward to do that part in the UK, and have one thing ticked off on what can be a long ‘To Do’ list in the run-up to a wedding).

Remember the legal service is only for tax and inheritance purposes – the wedding ceremony is where you really get to commit to the person you love and say the vows you have both chosen.

Top wedding venues in Montenegro

Here are some of the top wedding venues in Montenegro that cater to a range of wedding ceremony styles. Most venues in Montenegro have the option for you to stay there too! 

Carrubba Hotel – This beautiful eco-hotel is located in a lovely village called Donja Lastva. The hotel itself sits right next to the sea so it’s a perfect location for a beach wedding with stunning views.

Villa Stari Mlin – Villa Stari Mlin has more of a traditional feel as it is a 400-year-old farmhouse. It used to contain a working olive press so has lots of amazing historical elements. If you are looking for a DIY, rustic wedding then it’s the perfect setting. 

The Conte Hotel – This is a stunning hotel right on the water where the bride and couples often arrive by boat!

The Savina Winery – This is located in the town of Herceg Novi which is the closest Montenegran town to Croatia. If your wedding style is family-oriented, fun, and relaxed then hiring out the winery would be a perfect option.

Are there any restrictions due to Covid19?

Montenegro is currently classified as ‘Rest of The World’ for the UK, so is an easy place to visit in order to visit venues.  As a fully vaccinated person, you do not require a PCR test to enter Montenegro. 

Currently, masks are to be worn in supermarkets, shops, pharmacies, public transport, etc.  As a non-vaccinated person, you require a PCR or a rapid flow antigen test to enter Montenegro.  This information is correct as of October 2021, but it’s essential to look on the UK government website prior to traveling to Montenegro, and for your return to the UK, to ensure you are following the latest regulations.

Montenegro is a very special place for any occasion and will provide memories that will last forever.

The Celebrant Directory is home to Celebrants all over the world! Click here to find your perfect Celebrant. Fancy some more amazing content like this to help plan your wedding? Of course you do! Here’s the link. 

Photography Credit | Darya Chacheva

Celebrant | Sue Dixon