MOMENTS PASS BY,
BUT PHOTOS STAY FOREVER!
One of your biggest day in your life is ahead of you. And you deserve to have beautiful photos to remember it by. Photos that you will be happy to look at over and over again. Memories that you will love to share with your kids and grandkids…
If you’re looking for a photographer who can capture spontaneous and emotional moments, without posing and pretending to be something you’re not… you have come to the right place. I will not be just a photographer, I will be the person you can count on on your wedding day.
CREATING TIMELESS MEMORIES WITH YOU
Hi, I’m Vanessa
My mission is to capture your best moments in a spontaneous and natural way, with no posing.
The one advice I’d give to any couple is: “Make sure to choose the right photographer for you.” You see, your wedding day will be one of the best days in your life. Now imagine a photographer that you don’t “click with” being around you the entire day. You should be surrounded with your favourite people and wedding vendors you can trust.
If you’re looking for a person that is relaxed, creative and always smiling, then you’ve come to the right place. Contact me for more info and let’s talk about how I can make you wedding day the best!
3 EASY STEPS FOR YOUR PERFECT PHOTOS
1. CONTACT ME – send a quick message on hello@vanessativadar.com and check my availability
2. MEET ME ONLINE – we’ll schedule a video call where we can meet and discuss more about your big day and my approach to weddings and photography
3. SIMPLY ENJOY – I’m there for you on your wedding day, so you can just be yourself and be happy. I’ll take care of the rest 🙂
In a world where weddings are increasingly turning into grand spectacles, true value still lies in simple, genuine moments. The smile of a bride when she first sees her groom, the embrace of parents to the sound of a flowing river, or the golden light of a sunset over lavender fields and olive groves—these are the moments that truly matter.
This is exactly the kind of story created at Kodarin Mill, also known as Kodarinov Malen, a magical wedding venue in the heart of Slovenian Istria. This restored stone mill from the year 1800 has become one of the most sought-after intimate wedding locations in Slovenia. And if you are looking for a photographer who does more than just capture these moments—someone who brings them to life with artistic sensitivity and authenticity—the answer is simple: Vanessa Tivadar.
Vanessa Tivadar, a third-generation photographer, specializes in wedding photography that follows truth rather than trends. Her style is natural, spontaneous, and emotional, free from forced poses and artificial smiles.
“I don’t want you to pretend,” she says. “I want you to be yourselves. I’ll be there to capture it all.”
Her work is timeless—photographs you will revisit decades later, remembering not just the day, but the emotions, the scent of lavender, the sound of the Dragonja River, and the light of that special moment at Kodarin Mill.
Why Kodarin Mill inspires exceptional wedding photography
Kodarin Mill is more than a venue—it is a living story of love and dedication. It stands in the heart of the Dragonja River valley in Istria, where the Karst landscape blends with Mediterranean atmosphere, the scent of lavender, olive groves, and rolling hills.
Built in 1800, the mill was once one of many along the Dragonja River, which used to power more than forty mills. Most have disappeared, but Kodarin Mill was saved from decay. Vasja and Ingrid Kodarin lovingly restored it from ruins into a beautiful countryside estate. Today, it is considered one of the most charming wedding venues in Slovenia, offering authentic Tuscan charm with an Italian vintage feel.
A wedding ceremony here feels almost like a fairytale. Civil ceremonies take place beneath tree canopies or by the river, complete with a beautiful wedding arch and seating for guests. Lavender fields and olive groves surrounding the mill create soft, diffused light and a sense of complete immersion in nature.
Vanessa Tivadar often says this is where genuine emotions are easiest to capture. As vows are exchanged, sunlight filters through olive and lavender leaves, creating magical patterns of light. No artificial lighting is needed—nature does everything.
A white tent for around one hundred guests adds comfort and elegance, even in less favorable weather. It hosts dinners featuring local coastal cuisine and premium regional wines. Photos taken under the tent feel warm and intimate, while outside, the river, olive trees, and hills provide endless opportunities for romantic portraits.
Golden sunsets over the Istrian hills are perfect for newlywed portraits that tell a story of beginnings, roots, and growth.
The surroundings of the mill are a true treasure for wedding photography. The scent of lavender, pastel tones, lush greenery, and the stone walls of the old mill create intimate corners for detail shots—bouquets in the bride’s hands, gentle touches, and laughter among guests.
“There isn’t a single boring corner here,” Vanessa says. “Every step reveals a new perspective.”
From the sound of the river and small bridges to quiet shaded spots, every setting offers the chance to capture authentic, uninterrupted moments. Even the interior of the restored mill, with its rustic charm, stone textures, and warm lighting, creates cinematic scenes when it rains.
A newer addition is Glamping Dragonja River, featuring two wooden houses accommodating four guests each—perfect for a romantic wedding night or for guests who want to extend their stay in nature.
How the wedding photography experience unfolds
Vanessa doesn’t arrive with just a camera—she arrives as a trusted partner. Before the wedding, she meets the couple via video call to plan the entire day, from early preparations to the final dance.
On the wedding day, she is present from the morning, capturing preparation moments in glamping houses or rooms, the bride getting ready with views of lavender fields, the first look, the ceremony by the river, portraits, and the full reception.
Her philosophy is simple: be invisible, yet always present.
“Guests don’t feel like they’re being photographed—they simply enjoy the moment,” she explains.
The result is a collection of images filled with laughter, tears, and genuine embraces. At Kodarin Mill, this includes soft morning light through olive branches, details on stone floors, the aroma of coffee, and the excitement of family.
The ceremony follows beneath trees or by the Dragonja River, captured in emotional, uninterrupted sequences. Then come portraits among lavender, in olive groves, or on a small bridge during golden hour. Vanessa gently guides couples so they remain relaxed and natural.
The evening brings spontaneous moments under the tent, toasts with local wine, the first dance, and night shots under the Istrian sky. The following day, often called the “morning after,” offers relaxed portraits among lavender or by the river—perfect for additional romantic imagery.
Vanessa also offers comprehensive packages, ranging from essential wedding coverage to additional services such as family photography, video, and premium-quality albums.
Why choose Vanessa Tivadar for Kodarin Mill
Because she understands that a wedding at Kodarin Mill is not just an event—it is an experience immersed in nature. Her photographs are not merely documentation; they are art.
Couples who have worked with her at similarly romantic locations—from the Slovenian coast to Istrian villages—consistently praise her ability to capture the soul of the day.
In Istria, where light plays beautifully across olive trees, lavender, and stone, her sensitivity to detail and emotion truly stands out.
Kodarin Mill offers intimacy for around one hundred guests, sustainability through local cuisine and homegrown ingredients, and refined elegance without excess. Vanessa complements this with her presence—warm, creative, and reliable.
Together, they create memories that last a lifetime.
If you dream of a wedding where history meets love, where every image carries the scent of lavender and the breeze of Istria, then Kodarin Mill is your destination—and Vanessa Tivadar is the photographer who will bring that dream to life.
Contact Vanessa via vanessativadar.com or directly at hello@vanessativadar.com. Don’t wait—the most beautiful stories are written now, in the light of Istria, by the sound of the Dragonja River, among lavender and olive trees, through a lens that values truth.
Kodarin Mill and Vanessa Tivadar are a combination that creates legends. Your wedding can be one of them.