We chose Hissar, Bulgaria for our BIG day...
It’s almost wedding time!!!
With less than a week left before our departure to Bulgaria, I can hardy think about anything else, but our BIG, multi-lingual, culturally infused, Bulgarian wedding that has taken a little over a year to plan. The invitations are out, the guest list is almost finalized, the international guests’ airfares have been booked, and arrangements for local accommodations have been made. As chaotic as planning a destination wedding has been, especially during the last couple of weeks, suddenly everything is starting to fall into place and we can hardly contain our excitement. Before jetting away to the land of my ancestors, I wanted to share with you a little bit about the town that will be the setting of our fairytale wedding.
Saint Panteleimon church, where our wedding ceremony will take place
In mid-August, we look forward to welcoming our Bulgarian and international guests (from the United States, Spain, and Canada) to the charming, ancient spa resort town of Hissar in South-Central Bulgaria. Located 42 km (26 miles) north of Plovdiv, Bulgaria’s second largest and Europe’s oldest inhabited city, and only 20 km (13 miles) south of Karlovo, the birth place of Bulgaria’s most revered national hero, Vasil Levski, this small town is situated in the heart of the Thracian plains and offers great opportunities to discover the region. Known for its hot mineral water springs, their healing qualities, and first class spa facilities, Hissar attracts scores of domestic and international visitors all year long. The easy accessibility by bus, train, and car, and the majestic ancient Roman walls are just an added bonus!
As if handpicked by Gods and Roman emperors alike, this small heaven on Earth, as it is informally known, is a bright, sparkling gem on the Bulgarian map. It offers rich cultural and spa tourism opportunities, and in the summer months, the luscious parks and shady benches become mini oases buzzing with life. Surrounded by thousands of years of history and breathtaking natural beauty, visitors of Hissar enjoy a sense of serenity hard to find in a popular destination. And although our guests would have the opportunity to enjoy 22 hot springs with distinct mineral composition and temperature, various spa and relaxation facilities (the wedding party is staying at Spa Hotel Hissar), and open-air history, these were not the primary reasons for which we chose to have our big day here.
Our connection to Hissar is much more sentimental. It is a place where time stands still. Where half-broken Roman city walls blend with the modern cityscape and very unimposingly re-count the story of civilizations long gone, but never forgotten. It is a place that reminds us of who we are and where we come from, without it being the exact geographical location of our births. Here we are constantly invited to rest, rejuvenate, and replenish not only the body, but the mind, spirit, and soul as well. Hissar attracts plenty of tourists, but it’s not touristy at all. On the contrary, it captures the whole spirit of Bulgaria through its natural endowments, ancient history, living traditions, and hospitable people – and all within walking distance.
Saint Panteleimon church, where our wedding ceremony will take place
We are excited and inspired by Hissar! It is an unpretentious town that has every reason to be pretentious due to the luxury and privacy that it offers. It is serene, slow-paced, and full of those magical moments that make us feel alive. It invites us to breathe, to enjoy each other and to remember that health, love, and time together are the real treasures that we have and the ones that we should always cherish. Not looking after them is simply foolish.
So, for a healthy, loving, and long-lasting marriage, we chose to start our fairytale story in Hissar, Bulgaria.
We hope that before long you will make your way here and discover your truths in this small heaven on Earth.