Serbia is a country who loves to celebrate every chance they get – and what better to celebrate than a wedding!

Here are some tips for the first time traveler to Serbia (and for a first time attendee of a Serbian wedding):

1. Always have cash on hand. For most western people cash is not something we use in our everyday life anymore, but in serbia it is the main pay form. It is possible to pay by card on most establishments, but we recommend to always have some cash at the ready. Remember to bring it to the wedding for photos and taxi.
2. Pay for the “kitka”. When you arrive at the venue you will get a small corsage (“Kitka”). It is custom to give 100-500 dinar and put it in the basket.
3. Bring some earplugs. Serbian weddings can be quite loud with loud live music and many people gathered in one big room. For those of us who are more senstive to sound it can be good to have some earplugs.
4. Go easy on the rakija. Serbian rakija is quite strong. We recommend our guests to pace themselves so you can enjoy the whole evening. NB: Rakija is for sipping.
5. No DATA-Roaming. Serbia is not a part of EU, so most guests travelling from Scandinavia won’t have good deals when it comes to 4G/5G data. It is possible to buy data packages through your phone provider or a prepaid simcard at the airport (cheapest option).
6. No speeches. In Scandinavia it is normal to have speeches at a wedding; in Serbia not so much. There will be a first dance for the bride and groom, wedding cake cutting, singing, dancing and a lot of picture taking – but no speeches. If you would like to learn about the nordic wedding traditions click here.
7. Tipping culture. It is usual to leave a tip in restaurants and bars. Usually 10-20% depending on the service. It is okay not to leave a tip if you’re not satified with the service.