A May church wedding in Doubravník: Sunshine, laughter & love
At the beginning of May, I took a little trip to the charming town of Doubravník for what turned out to be a full-day wedding shoot — and let me tell you, it was such a good one. It was a medium-sized wedding with a beautiful church ceremony, and while I’m not religious myself, I’ve always had a soft spot for weddings in churches. They just hit different. There’s a special kind of calm and reverence that fills the space. Plus, as a summer bonus — you get to hide from the sun in the cool interior for a bit. Win-win!
Eli and Tom chose to say their vows in the Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, and fun fact: they actually live right at the parish house next door. I have to say, this church easily makes it to my list of top venues I’ve shot in. It’s massive, beautifully decorated (without being over-the-top), and just… stunning. No tacky overload, just timeless elegance. After the ceremony, the reception took place just a few steps away at Penzion Papírna, which was such a convenient setup. No need for guests to shuffle around in cars or get lost — everything was right there. Love that.
But now back to the beginning
The day kicked off with wedding prep at the parish house, and honestly, it was one of those mornings that immediately puts you in a good mood. The first thing I noticed when I walked in? A giant LEGO Hogwarts Castle. Yep, for a Potterhead like me, that was basically a cosmic sign that this day was going to be epic.
The whole morning was filled with laughter, coffee, and easygoing vibes. When Eli started getting into her dress (with the help of her sister), it was one of those perfect moments where everyone’s laughing through happy tears. Her dress was absolutely stunning — but truly, it was her glow that made everything pop.
Tom’s prep was more of a “quick and chill” mission. Typical for grooms! A bit of nervous energy, lots of grinning, and that classic little awkwardness when there’s a camera pointed your way while you’re tying your tie, haha.
Heartfelt ceremony followed by one wild dance party
The ceremony itself? Pure magic. The kind that leaves you with goosebumps. But the real fun kicked in once the dancing started. The reception was filled with the most amazing guests — super kind, full of life, and totally ready to party. Honestly, I felt like I was among friends. And then there was the band. Not only did they totally nail the vibe, but they also made sure the dance floor stayed full all night. This was not one of those weddings where only five people awkwardly dance around. Nope. Everyone was on their feet. It was wild in the best possible way.
Quiet views, soft light and just the two of them
For the couple portraits, we started out in the parish garden — which was magical. The moment I stepped in earlier that morning, I knew we’d be coming back here for photos. It had that peaceful, storybook vibe that just works. Later in the day, we took a little ride to catch some scenic views over Doubravník and soak in a few quiet moments. All in all, this spring wedding was something really special. From the setting to the people to every laugh and tear in between — I’ll be remembering this day for a long time.
Church: KOSTEL POVÝŠENÍ SV. KŘÍŽE | Venue: PENZION PAPÍRNA | Makeup & hair: LENKA NGOMBELE | Flowers: TERRE VERTE | Dress: FELICE | Suit: OZETA | Rings: RÝDL | Sweet bar & cake: KACHNA DORTUJE | Music: MARTIN LÁSKA & BAND
