The Wedding Itinerary
Welcome Dinner
Welcome to Bulgaria! Come join us the night before the wedding for dinner and drinks close to guest accommodations.
Maria & Cole's Wedding
Ceremony and celebration by the sea. Full timing and venue details will be added here closer to the date - check back for updates.
Beach & Travel Day
This is an open day - we have no set itinerary, except we are planning to be at the beach. Guests are welcome to come enjoy the beach with us, or to head out and continue the rest of their trip!
Housing & Transportation
Details Coming Soon
We're still finalizing housing and transportation options for the wedding. We will post the full update directly on this page. Check back soon, or reach out to us directly if you want to start planning early!
Get Connected
Join the Group Chat
Scan the QR code below to join the official wedding travel planning WhatsApp group, set up by Maria & Cole. Use it to find travel buddies, swap flight info, plan side trips, and ask each other questions.
Best Things to See & Do
A short list of our favorites along the coast and beyond, in case you have extra time before or after the wedding.
Fast Facts About Bulgaria
🚗 Drive on the right side of the road, same as the US.
⛪ Orthodox Christianity is the main religion.
💶 The euro is now the official currency (Bulgaria switched over from the lev on January 1, 2026).
🗣️ Bulgarian is the official language, written in the Cyrillic alphabet - which Bulgaria actually created, back in the 9th century.
🛡️ Safety: we've always felt very safe here, at all hours.
🙂 A nod up-and-down can mean "no" and a side-to-side shake can mean "yes" here.
🕐 Bulgaria is on Eastern European Time (EET), 8 hours ahead of US Central Daylight Time.
🇪🇺 Bulgaria has been an EU member since 2007.
If You're Landing in Sofia
A couple of worthwhile stops if your flight routes through Sofia before the 4-hour drive to Sozopol.
Rila Monastery
Bulgaria's largest and most famous monastery, close to Sofia - striped arches, frescoes, and mountain scenery all in one. If you love history and old buildings, this one's a must.
Seven Rila Lakes
A glacial lake hike in the Rila Mountains, day-trippable from Sofia. It's a full day commitment - cable car up, then a few hours on the trail past all seven lakes - but the views are incredible and worth the early start if you have a spare day near Sofia.
Shipka Mountain
Home to the Shipka Pass and its striking Freedom Monument, with sweeping views over the Balkan Mountains - one of Maria's favorite spots in the whole country.
Plovdiv
One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe, with a beautifully preserved old town - a good stop if you're routing through Sofia.
If You're Landing in Burgas
Everything below is close to the coast, all within reach of Sozopol.
Sozopol Old Town
Sozopol was founded in 610 BC. It's got lots of nightlife & charming houses, galleries, seafood tavernas, and sunset over the harbor.
Nessebar
A UNESCO World Heritage old town on its own small peninsula with roughly 3,000 years of history.
Burgas & the Sea Garden
Maria's hometown and birthplace! Burgas is a lovely seaside city, and the Sea Garden is one of Cole and Maria's favorite local landmarks - open-air cafés, ice cream shops, beaches, plenty of benches for sitting, and tree canopies throughout the park that keep it shaded on hot days. It's about a 15-minute drive from Burgas airport.
Arkutino Beach, Primorsko
Maria and Cole's favorite beach on the whole Black Sea coast - a wide, quieter stretch of sand near Primorsko, backed by dunes and pine forest. Well worth the short drive south of Sozopol.
Strandzha Nature Park
If you're after a hike near the area, Strandzha has a pretty waterfall and a cool and shady hike away from the beach.
St. Anastasia Island
Bulgaria's only inhabited Black Sea island, just off the coast near Chernomorets, with a former monastery, a lighthouse, and a small museum - a great half-day escape. In summer, boats run from Burgas out to the island and back, making it an easy 2–3 hour round trip if you want a quick taste of the water without committing a full day.
Travel Info
Burgas Airport (BOJ) is closest to Sozopol and the best option if you can find a direct flight. Sofia (SOF) has more frequent service if you don't mind the extra drive.
Burgas Airport - BOJ
About 40 minutes from Sozopol. Direct flights run seasonally (roughly May–September) from a good number of European cities. As of the most recent schedules, direct routes include:
Routes and frequency shift year to year and by season, so double-check availability closer to July before booking.
Sofia Airport - SOF
Bulgaria's main international hub, with far more frequent long-haul and connecting options - the better bet if you're coming from outside Europe or want more flight time flexibility.
Getting to Sozopol from Sofia: it's roughly a 4-hour drive (about 260 miles / 420 km) from Sofia Airport to Sozopol. Options include a rental car, a private transfer, or the bus/train to Burgas followed by a short taxi - but driving is by far the fastest.
Flying Burgas ↔ Sofia
If your international flight only reaches Sofia, Bulgaria Air runs several domestic hops a day from Sofia to Burgas - and it's an easy one. It's only about a 45-minute flight, and Maria and Cole have flown this route themselves a number of times. Worth pricing against the 4-hour drive, especially if you're short on time.
Coming From Istanbul
Istanbul is closer than it looks on a map - about 300 km (185 miles) by road from Burgas, roughly a 5–6 hour bus ride depending on the border crossing. Several bus companies run direct routes between Istanbul and Burgas - a solid option if you're combining the wedding with a stop in Istanbul.
Registry
Thank you for thinking of us
We understand - and are hugely grateful for - the time, energy, and yes, the PTO, it takes to travel all the way to Bulgaria for our wedding. That's more than enough.
In lieu of gifts or a honeymoon fund, please treat yourself to something fun while you're here - a long dinner in the old town, a nice beach day, a cold beer. Thank you for coming so far to celebrate with us!
Dress Code & What to Pack
Wedding Day - Formal Garden Party
Think long, maxi-style dresses in loud, fun colors - pinks, greens, orange, baby blues - the more color the better!
Linens and linen jackets are encouraged - it's going to be warm!
A Note on the Church Ceremony
If your dress is on the more revealing side, that's completely fine - just bring a small shawl or wrap to have on hand for the brief period we're inside the church.
Packing List - Other Days
For the welcome dinner and beach day, pack for warm outings and bring:
- A nicer outfit for the welcome dinner. A short summer dress is perfect! For the men, shorts and a linen button down shirt is great. Dress comfortable!
- Lots of swimsuits
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Sunscreen
- Skirts and dresses
- Athleisure
- A beach towel
- Hats & sunglasses
- EU (Type C/Type F) power converters
For the Men: Jorts & Fanny Packs
Jorts are very common around here (though Cole refuses to buy a pair), and most guys wear fanny packs - Cole included, he loves his. Otherwise, normal shorts and shirts are the everyday go-to.
Wedding Day Inspiration
Bulgarian Food
A short field guide to what to order while you're in town.
Shopska Salad
Tomatoes, cucumber, peppers, onion, and a heavy grating of sirene (Bulgarian white cheese) on top. The default starter, and always a good one.
Banitsa
Flaky pastry layered with egg and cheese - a breakfast staple, best eaten warm.
Kavarma
A slow-cooked clay-pot stew of meat, vegetables, and spices - rich, hearty, usually served bubbling.
Kebapche & Kyufte
Grilled minced-meat classics - kebapche is the elongated log, kyufte the flattened patty. Order both - one of Cole and Maria's favorites!
Tarator
A cold summer soup of yogurt, cucumber, garlic, and dill - exactly what you want on a hot afternoon. Maria's favorite.
Pork Neck (Свинска Вратна)
Grilled or slow-roasted pork neck, tender and full of flavor - a menu staple, and the groom's favorite order.
Rakia
Bulgaria's grape or fruit brandy, and the unofficial start to most meals. If someone offers you a glass - say yes.
Fresh Black Sea Fish
Ask the restaurant for the catch of the day!
Black Sea Mussels
Fresh-picked right from the sea! (DO NOT SKIP)
Tsatsa (Пържена цаца)
Bulgaria's popular little fried fish - deep-fried until crispy and served hot with fresh lemon and a cold beer. Cole was skeptical until he actually tried it - now it's one of his favorites.
Fries with Sirene
Fresh fries topped with shredded Bulgarian sirene (feta) - simple, salty, and always a good idea.
Chicken Soup
Almost every restaurant has it on the lunch menu, and it's always good.
Bulgarian Tomatoes
Bulgarian tomatoes are the BEST IN THE WORLD!! Even if you don't like tomatoes, you will like these, we promise! There is something about the soil and how the tomatoes are grown that makes them so good!
Fruit in general
Go to any local fruit stand, and buy whatever looks good. Fruit here is hard to beat. It all comes from local farms and villages. Recommendations: melon, peaches, and apricots!
Galaxy Ice Cream
A must-try, no debate - this is a shared favorite of both the bride and groom. Maria likes vanilla, and Cole likes chocolate.
Also worth trying
Bulgarian yogurt (genuinely different from what you're used to), sarmi (stuffed cabbage or vine leaves), and lyutenitsa (roasted pepper relish, usually on fresh bread).
There is SO MUCH good Bulgarian food. Our recommendation is to stay away from pizzas, pastas, burgers & "American" food. Stick to the classics - we know what we're good at and we do it well!
Maria & Cole Jeopardy
Enter your name, then answer as many as you can. There's a speed bonus, so answer quickly if you can! Your final score is saved for Maria & Cole automatically, and the highest score at the wedding wins a special prize!
Before you start…
Enter your name so Maria & Cole can find your score.