Planning a 3 Day Destination Island Wedding
How we planned a private island wedding in Montenegro across timezones
Melise & Remo’s 3-Day Wedding on Mamula Island, Montenegro
When Melise—an Australian-Turkish-Balkan model—and Remo—a Dutchman with a childhood spent across Asia, now living in Singapore—decided to get married, they wanted something that truly reflected their international roots and shared love for design, food, and culture. They chose Mamula Island: a beautifully restored 19th-century fortress situated on a private island in the Adriatic Sea.
Spanning three unforgettable days, their wedding threw out traditional rulebooks in favor of a relaxed, honest, and deeply personal celebration. Here is a look inside their incredible journey.
Day 1: Arrival, Boats, and Double Rainbows
Guests arrived via scenic boat transfers, stepping off the Adriatic waters straight into the stone fortress walls of Mamula Island. As everyone settled into their rooms, a dramatic summer storm swept across the bay, parting just in time to reveal a breathtaking double rainbow arching right over the fortress.
The Storm & Double Rainbow
Instead of dampening the mood, the sudden Mediterranean storm brought a vibrant, electric energy to the island. As the skies cleared, the double rainbow provided an incredible backdrop for impromptu sunset boat rides and laughter on the docks.
Day 1 Evening: Limoneto Welcome Dinner
The first night kicked off with a welcome dinner styled around a "Balkan Grandmother Chic" aesthetic. Hosted in the island's lemon grove, the tables featured rich terracotta details, delicate lace runners, and warm candlelight.
Guests mingled over local wines, traditional comfort dishes, and interactive coffee fortune readings—setting a warm, unpretentious tone for the days ahead.
Day 2: Morning Prep in the Fortress Suites
Melise and her bridesmaids spent the morning getting ready in the Sky Suite, taking in sweeping views of the entire island and the Bay of Kotor from its expansive private terrace. Meanwhile, Remo and his groomsmen prepared in one of the fortress’s historic suites, where original hand-painted frescoes, raw stone walls, and original flooring remain preserved from its time as a 19th-century stronghold.
Tucked away in their separate suites after breakfast, both remained completely unaware of the morning's stormy weather or the setup challenges happening outside. Melise intentionally kept her distance before the ceremony, holding onto the magic of having Remo see her for the very first time as she walked down the aisle.
The Rocky Beach Ceremony
The main ceremony was tucked into a rocky beach cove on the island. Rather than bringing in artificial decor, the team custom-excavated a clean, organic setup right into the natural stone landscape, letting the raw beauty of the Adriatic shoreline take center stage.
A Sweet Tribute: The Voice Note Processional
As guests gathered on the rocks below, Melise waited tucked out of sight at the top of the stone stairs. Before she stepped into view, a personal voice note played aloud across the cove for Remo. When their relationship first began during COVID, voice messages were their primary way of staying connected and getting to know each other across distance.
The voice note served as a sweet, emotional nod to their early days. By the time Melise reached the top of the stairs to meet her grandfather and begin her walk down the aisle, there wasn't a dry eye on the beach—among guests and vendors alike.
Sunset Boat Cruise & Alone Time
Instead of a traditional getaway car, Melise and Remo headed straight to the Hayama boat right after saying "I do." While guests made their way up to the helipad for cocktail hour, the couple set off on a private sunset cruise along the Bay of Kotor.
They shared a quiet moment together, enjoyed a glass of champagne, and took portrait photos out on the water. One of the greatest perks of an island venue on the sea is having the freedom to steal away for a peaceful moment together before diving into the evening celebrations.
Helipad Cocktail Hour: 6 Cultural Food Displays
Cocktail hour was held on the island helipad, arranged in concentric circles to echo the round tower architecture. Instead of traditional floral decor, the focus was museum-inspired edible food displays. Six circular tables showcased finger foods themed around their cultures and favorite places:
- Australian Station (A nod to where Melise grew up)
- Dutch Station (A nod to Remo's heritage)
- Mediterranean Station
- Traditional Balkan Station
- Turkish Station
- Fried Foods Station
All displays were crafted using natural materials like raw clay bricks, dried legumes, spices, and wild grasses, surrounded by lounge areas styled with art and fashion books.
Dinner on the Outer Island Path
For the main reception, we set up a long, winding serpentine table along the outer stone path of the fortress, flanked by the sea on one side and ancient stone walls on the other. The tables were draped in soft sand-toned linen, dripping with candles and accented by granite elements.
Guests found their seats using custom place settings featuring silver fish name plates and playful eye-token details. As the sun went down, warm candlelight washed over the stone, creating an intimate, glowing atmosphere for speeches and toasts.
The Evening Party
As dinner wound down, the energy shifted completely. Remo changed into a crisp white dinner jacket, while Melise changed into a custom party dress intricately detailed with hand-beaded notes hidden throughout the fabric, referencing special memories from their relationship. Turkish drummers led everyone onto their feet, followed by an electric saxophonist playing Careless Whisper directly on top of the tables. The celebration brought together cultural traditions from across the globe, including a vibrant Dutch "Orange Wave" moment where the whole crowd joined in.
Custom midnight snacks—bitterballen and ćevapi paired with raki and jenever—kept guests energized, while fireworks lit up the Adriatic sky. The night concluded in a hidden speakeasy bar inside the fortress walls, dancing until the early morning hours.
Day 3: The Beach Day & Recovery
After a late night of dancing, guests gathered on the beach for a relaxed recovery day under the sun. Everyone swapped stories from the night before, cooled off in the Adriatic, and enjoyed jet skiing along the coastline.
To keep the mood fun and lighthearted, guests were surprised with custom M+R speedos featuring Australian and Dutch flags, paired with scoops of fresh lemon rosemary ice cream by the water.
It was the perfect end to three unforgettable days on Mamula Island—a celebration defined by deeply personal cultural touches, thoughtful design, and pure fun from start to finish.
Planning a Destination Wedding?
Whether you're dreaming of a private island fortress in Montenegro or an intimate coastal gathering anywhere in the world, we'd love to help bring your story to life. Say hi and let’s talk about planning your destination wedding.
