Planning a destination wedding isn't just about choosing beautiful venues. We also wanted to make sure our family and friends had a comfortable place to stay.
After all, attending a destination wedding isn't cheap, especially when your guests are traveling internationally.
As a way of thanking everyone for making the journey to Lake Bled, we decided to offer our guests two complimentary nights at one of the nicest hotels in the area, Rikli Balance Hotel.
It was one of the ways we wanted to show our appreciation and make the experience memorable for everyone.
Welcome to the modern and cozy lobby of Hotel Rikli.
Why We Chose Rikli Balance Hotel
During our first scouting trip to Lake Bled in February, we visited several hotels to see which would be the best fit for our guests.
As soon as we walked into the lobby of Rikli Balance Hotel and saw its renovated rooms and suites, we knew we'd found what we were looking for.
The hotel matched our style, felt comfortable, and had the kind of atmosphere we wanted our family and friends to enjoy during their stay.
Its central location was another advantage, especially since our wedding celebrations would take place at Vila Bled and Grand Hotel Toplice.
Moments after we tied the “Just Married” knot on our SUV before the real deal. (Photo by Ana Gregorič)
How We Organized Accommodation for Our Guests
Once everyone had RSVP'd, arranging the hotel rooms was surprisingly straightforward.
I prepared a spreadsheet listing our guests, rooming arrangements, and their check-in and check-out dates.
Then I simply sent it to our wedding planner, Petra Čuk, who coordinated everything with Rikli Balance Hotel's management.
That was it.
Of course, having everything organized beforehand made the process much easier.
If you're arranging accommodation for a group of wedding guests, we'd highly recommend using a simple spreadsheet to keep track of who is staying where and when they're arriving and departing.
It doesn't need to be complicated, but being organized makes a big difference.
What Our Guests Enjoyed About Rikli Balance
One of the things we appreciated most was that our guests could enjoy the hotel in different ways.
For families with children, the indoor and partially outdoor swimming pool was a popular option.
For those who preferred to relax, the hotel's lobby and bar provided a comfortable place to enjoy coffee, drinks, and time together.
Everyone could also enjoy the complimentary breakfast during their stay.
Our guests loved the hotel, especially its comfortable atmosphere and convenient location.
Another advantage became clear after the wedding.
Once our after-party at Grand Hotel Toplice ended, our guests could simply walk back to Rikli Balance Hotel in approximately 10 minutes.
After a long day of celebrating, not having to arrange additional transportation was a huge convenience.
Rikli Balance (& Bled) takes great pride in their sustainability, nature, and of course…fresh water.
Our Honeymoon Suite: A Small Surprise Before the Wedding
One of the biggest reasons we chose Rikli Balance Hotel was actually its renovated honeymoon suite.
When Duygu and I first saw it during our February scouting visit, we decided on the spot that this was where we wanted to stay during our wedding week.
The suite was colourful, modern, and lively, exactly the setting we imagined for our wedding preparations and getting-ready photos.
But things didn't quite go as planned when we arrived.
Three days before our wedding, after a seven-hour drive to Lake Bled, we checked into our suite.
Except it wasn't the suite we'd seen in February.
We had been assigned an older suite that, while still spacious, felt bland and colourless compared with the renovated one we'd fallen in love with.
It certainly wasn't what we'd imagined for our wedding preparations.
Mistakes happen, and thankfully, this one was resolved quickly.
By 8 AM the following morning, Ilda and Rok from the hotel team helped arrange our move into the renovated suite.
We really appreciated how quickly they corrected the situation.
And once we were settled into the right suite, it was exactly the space we'd hoped for.
The living room of Rikli’s renovated honeymoon suite. Perfect for our pre-wedding prep.
What We'd Recommend to Other Couples
Looking back, we'd absolutely make the same accommodation arrangements again.
But there are a few small lessons we'd pass along to other couples planning a wedding in Lake Bled.
1. Confirm the Exact Suite You're Booking
If you're booking a particular room or suite because of its appearance, view, or layout, be specific.
In our case, we'd recommend emphasizing that you're requesting the renovated suite with a lake view.
Seeing a beautiful suite during a hotel tour doesn't necessarily mean you'll automatically be assigned that exact room.
2. Encourage Guests to Report Room Issues Early
A few of our guests experienced problems with their air-conditioning thermostats, which made their rooms uncomfortably warm.
We'd encourage guests to let you or the hotel know as soon as something isn't working properly, rather than waiting until the end of their stay.
3. Don't Underestimate the Ironing Situation!
This was probably one of the funniest practical lessons from our wedding week.
Rikli Balance had one dedicated ironing room, although it was fully equipped.
The problem?
Everyone needed to iron their shirts and trousers at roughly the same time on the morning of our wedding.
You can imagine the queue!
Our advice is simple: encourage your guests to iron their wedding outfits the day before.
It's a small detail, but one that can save everyone a little stress on the big day.
4. Keep Your Rooming Arrangements Organized
If you're coordinating accommodation for a large group, prepare a spreadsheet with guest names, room assignments, and arrival and departure dates.
Having this ready made it much easier for Petra and the hotel team to arrange everything.
Was Rikli Balance Hotel the Right Choice?
For us, absolutely.
We wanted our guests to feel comfortable, appreciated, and well looked after during their time in Lake Bled.
Rikli Balance Hotel gave them a convenient place to stay, with amenities they could enjoy before and after the wedding.
And despite a few small hiccups, we appreciated how the hotel team helped us, especially when it came to resolving our honeymoon suite issue.
Would we choose Rikli Balance again?
Without hesitation.
If you're planning a destination wedding in Lake Bled, we'd recommend considering not just the hotel rooms themselves, but also how easily your guests can get around, what they can enjoy during their downtime, and how you can make the overall experience more comfortable for them.
For us, offering two nights of accommodation was one small way of saying thank you to the people who traveled so far to celebrate with us.
A panoramic view of Lake Bled sweeping from the island to the castle on the hill.
Keep Reading
Planning a Lake Bled Wedding From Abroad: What We Learned →
How we handled the practical challenges of organizing a wedding from Germany.
Lake Bled Wedding Venues: How We Chose Ours →
Why the locations of our ceremony and reception influenced where everyone stayed.
