If you are dreaming for a romantic wedding in an exotic European destination, take a look at Varna, Bulgaria and the nearby seaside resorts on the Black Sea. The cool thing about Bulgaria is you can choose from pirate ship adventures to luxury weddings that are big-budget productions.
Ordinary weddings in the United States and the United Kingdom are increasingly expensive. Make that incredibly expensive. In the UK, the cost of an average wedding has increased to about 23,000 pounds in 2024 from 17,000 pounds in 2021, according to Hitched. And let’s face it … a wedding reception in the church basement, at that really bad hotel or at your parents’ country club is not exactly exotic.
What if there were a place that’s hugely affordable, on the sunny sea? With all the amenities? Oh, wait ….
Varna on the Black Sea coast is the summer capital of Bulgaria. In summer, the city is full of romance … and very serious about marketing itself as the perfect wedding destination for an outdoor wedding. In Varna you have all the ingredients for a romantic adventure. This is a destination for Brits, and all the hotel websites have an English translation function.
Also, there are wedding planning firms that are international in scope. For example, Pertito Wedding Agency has served customers from the United States, China, India, the UK, Spain, Italy, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Argentina, Dubai, Turkey, Romania, Lithuania, Iran, Greece and Malta.
Varna and the Black Sea region offer:
• a range of destination hotels from high-end to affordable, and all are going to be less expensive than, say, the South of France.
• gourmet kitchens,
• boutiques with contemporary bridal gowns,
• upscale spas and styling studios,
• top musicians including string trios, chamber orchestras, classically trained violinists, singers performing from opera, jazz, rock, popular and any styles of music, really.
The only negative is, the Black Sea is a sunny, affordable destination for a significant slice of Eastern Europe and the Balkans and the hotels tend to sell out.
The 5-star Holiday Club Varna is part of a multi-hotel vacation complex located in the northern part of the Bulgarian Black Sea coast, and just outside Varna The complex provides all kinds of summer vacation facilities including outdoor pools, tennis courts, restaurants and beach bars, as well as children’s areas. The hotel property includes about 7 acres of sandy beaches.
The hotel is also set up for weddings, with teams of wedding planners and people to assist with everything from dresses to flowers to transport and music. The restaurant has special wedding menus.
Apart from that, the Riviera specializes in business events, such as meetings, team-buildings, conferences and more.
Holiday Club Riviera is 17 kilometers northeast of Varna, on E-87 international road, and 27 kilometers from Varna Airport. It is also near the Golden Sands resort … actually within walking distance. This is a 5-star, and rates start about about $143 per night, with a three-night minimum.
The Astoria Hotel, located on the beachfront of the Golden Sands resort, is the perfect place to honeymoon. This affordable 4-star hotel offers personalized service, special menus and luxury accommodation. The hotel also offers everything needed for the perfect wedding in-house.
In the Turkish tradition, Bulgarian hotels have in-house entertainment each night for adults and kids as well as teams dedicated to entertaining children. There’s a spa center offering sauna, steam bath, massages, treatments and therapies (at extra charge) as well as a free fitness center.
Rates start at about $140 and you can book via the hotel website.
Say “I do” at one of the most beautiful resorts in Eastern Europe. Situated just 40 minutes from Varna International Airport and with the ideal climate, beaches and vast stretches of natural beauty make this part of the Black Sea coast is a wedding destination for couples from all over the world.
As the name suggests, the Lighthouse Golf & Spa Hotel is a golf and spa hotel on the Black Sea coast. In fact, this place is all about the golf course, which we have to admit is perfect You can get married right on the course between rounds.
The combination of golf course and the picturesque panorama of the sea, along with the blue sky, creates an atmosphere that is calming, yet energizing. The hotel is situated on the edge of a cliff, offering a spectacular view of the sea coast.
This is an affordable hotel, with rates starting at about 77 euros per night, but there are wedding packages with five-star dining and all the extras.
Golf center
Lighthouse Golf & Spa Hotel is located in the heart of Cape Kaliakra Signature Golf Coast. There, in a radius of only 6 kilometers, you have three 18-hole golf courses: Lighthouse, Blacksearama & Thracian Cliffs Golf Courses. All this is only 10-minute drive from the historic, scenic seaside town of Balchik and a 40-minute drive from Varna.
This 5-star complex is has a waterfront location and top facilities … one of the best hotels for weddings in Bulgaria, and the ideal spot for hosting your ceremony, honeymoon or any other special occasion. And there’s a casino if you want to play Bond, James Bond.
The exceptionally well-appointed event venues and dedicated professional team offer an excellent setting for grand celebrations, weddings and more. Staff from the hotel will work with you every step of the way to assist in creating an experience that matches your vision and your budget. This complex has on-site dining, a huge elevated Skyfall (more James Bond) infinity pool, a premium on-property spa, and other world-class facilities and services. And there are group rates for wedding parties.
The International Hotel Casino & Tower Suites starts at about 100 euros per night and you can book here on the website. This is a giant complex, so there always seem to be discounts to fill those rooms.
One of the two Varna Party Boats pirate ships
Get married, then party, on the water
Varna Party Boats offers a wedding on a boat. And not just any boat, but a pirate ship. Seriously. You can board one of ships and sail smoothly into married life. Or that’s the concept.
Catering services are available, and one or two ships can be rented – each seats 35 passengers. Varna Party Boats organize Sea cruises in the Varna bay, sailing from Varna Passenger Terminal, in the period from 1 May to 15 October. The pirate ships are suitable for organizing: pirate weddings, corporate events, team building, anniversaries, children’s holidays, bachelor/bachelorette parties, birthdays and more.
Wedding agencies can help you organize the perfect day. The role of the wedding agent is to make the lives of the newlyweds easier by taking care of all the details including:
– choosing a wedding location – choosing the DJ & emcee tandem including organizing wedding program. – organizing the relevant rituals. – recommendations for florist, photographer, videographer, hair & make-up artists, stylist. – recommendations for the wedding menu, cake and catering – logistics; transporting guests before, during and after the wedding event. – creation and supply of decorations and complimenting props.
Finally, there are multiple shops with bridal gowns; many of them are Italian and French-style couture. There’s something for every budget in Bulgaria … and experiences you won’t find anywhere else.
Kalina Varbanova freelance journalist based in Varna, Bulgaria. Kalina’s interests include culture, tourism, archeology and politics. She's been a Dispatches contributor since 2017, and has written some of our best-read posts.
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