Rhiannon Hendricks
Turkish weddings are steeped in tradition and can last for days. In rural areas, weddings can last for three days and three nights, with the whole community involved in the celebrations. Turkish weddings include many rituals, traditions and superstitions that may seem unusual to visitors. From the henna night to the bride pickup, there are many unique customs to discover.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Duration | Traditionally, Turkish weddings last for 3 days and 3 nights, especially in rural areas. |
| Ceremony | Religious or civil. Religious weddings are not legally binding, so couples usually have both types. |
| Rings | Rings are exchanged during the engagement, not on the wedding day. |
| Henna Night | A smaller celebration that takes place 1-2 weeks before the wedding. The bride wears red and celebrates with female friends and family. |
| Dance | The most popular traditional dance for weddings is Halay, which signifies unity and cooperation. |
| Food | Keşkek is a traditional dish widely prepared at weddings, consisting of split wheat and meat. |
| Gifts | Newlyweds are gifted gold jewellery by friends and family. |
| Superstition | The bride adds salt to the groom's coffee, and he must drink it as a gesture of love and gratitude. |
| Timing | The most popular months for weddings are August and September. |
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What You'll Learn
- Turkish weddings traditionally last for three days and three nights
- Henna Night, or Kına Gecesi, is a smaller celebration before the wedding
- The bride doesn't open her hand during the henna ceremony
- The couple tries to step on each other's feet after the wedding ceremony
- The bride and groom queue up after the ceremony to collect gifts and money
Turkish weddings traditionally last for three days and three nights
Turkish weddings are steeped in tradition and can last for several days, especially in rural areas. Traditionally, they last three days and three nights, with the whole community participating in the celebrations. The festivities include numerous rituals, traditions, and superstitions that may seem unusual to those from other cultures.
On the night before the wedding, there is a "Henna Night" or "Kına Gecesi", similar to a bachelorette party, where the bride-to-be celebrates with her female friends and family. The bride wears a red veil and a traditional outfit called a "bindalli". An elder leads the ceremony, during which single women walk around the bride, chanting traditional songs. The bride's hands are then decorated with henna, and her hands are wrapped in a red cloth. According to superstition, whoever finds a coin in the henna bowl will soon receive a marriage proposal.
The wedding ceremony itself is short and can be religious or civil. In a religious ceremony, the couple only needs an imam and two witnesses, although this is not legally binding, so many couples opt for both types of weddings. During the ceremony, the bride and groom step on each other's feet, believing that whoever steps on the other's shoes first will have the ultimate say in the marriage. After the ceremony, the newlyweds collect congratulations and presents, often in the form of money and gold, which is customary in Turkish culture.
The celebrations continue with traditional folk dances, such as the Halay, which signifies unity and cooperation. The community also participates in the festivities, playing instruments for everyone to dance and enjoy. Turkish weddings are a vibrant and joyous affair, with unique customs that make them stand out from weddings in other parts of the world.
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Henna Night, or Kına Gecesi, is a smaller celebration before the wedding
Turkish weddings are known for their extravagant and lengthy celebrations, often spanning multiple days. One of the most important cultural traditions in a Turkish wedding is the Henna Night, or *Kına Gecesi*. This is a smaller celebration that usually takes place one or a few nights before the actual wedding. The focus of the Henna Night is on the bride and it is a time for her to celebrate with her female friends and family members.
The ceremony is named after the henna, a small flowering plant that dyes skin, hair, and nails a deep reddish-brown. During the Henna Night, the bride's hands and feet are decorated with intricate patterns using this natural dye. The art of applying henna is an ancient tradition in many cultures, and it is believed to bring good luck and fertility to the bride. The dye is thought to have healing properties and is used to symbolize joy, beauty, and offering. The bride's female relatives and friends will also often have henna applied to their hands, although the designs are usually less intricate.
The Henna Night is a festive and emotional occasion, filled with dancing, singing, and traditional rituals. The bride typically wears a red dress, symbolizing happiness and good luck, and a red veil, which represents her transition from girlhood to womanhood. She is the center of attention and is treated like a queen during this celebration. The night involves a variety of traditional games and activities, including the breaking of a clay pot filled with treats, which is believed to bring abundance and prosperity. There is also the ritual of tying a red ribbon around the bride's waist, symbolizing the unity of marriage and the binding of two families.
The atmosphere is generally lively and joyous, with plenty of music and dancing. Traditional Turkish songs and dances are performed, often with the guests forming a circle around the bride to dance and shower her with blessings. The mother of the bride plays a significant role during this celebration, and there is a special dance performed by her and the other married women present, symbolizing the passing on of wisdom and the continuation of family traditions.
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The bride doesn't open her hand during the henna ceremony
Turkish weddings are a joyous occasion, often lasting three days and three nights, with the whole community coming together to celebrate. There are many unique traditions and rituals, and one of the most important is the henna ceremony, also known as Henna Night or Kına Gecesi. This usually takes place a day or two before the wedding and is a time-honoured custom that has been practised for hundreds of years.
The henna ceremony is a festive celebration, often held at the bride's home or in a restaurant, with the bride and guests dressed elegantly for the occasion. The bride is the centre of attention and traditionally wears a red dress, sometimes with a gold-embroidered cloak called a "bindallı". She sits on a chair, her head and face covered by a long red veil, and henna is applied to her palm, symbolising devotion and protection from evil.
During the ceremony, the bride's unmarried friends and relatives write their names on the bottom of her shoes. It is believed that if the name of a single woman wears off by the end of the night, she will be married within the year. Another fun tradition during the henna ceremony is "testi kırmak", where the bride dances around the groom with a clay pot filled with money, candy and chocolate wrapped in red fabric. She suddenly breaks the pot, symbolising a blessing of happiness for the new family.
One intriguing moment during the henna ceremony is when the bride keeps her hand closed after the henna is applied. This is a significant gesture, as it symbolises the bride's emotional departure from her family. The henna night is not just a time for celebration but also a time for the bride to show her true sorrow at leaving her family. This is a unique aspect of Turkish weddings, where the bride's sadness is acknowledged and honoured by those around her.
While the henna ceremony is a time-honoured tradition, it can vary across different regions and communities in Turkey. Each area may have its own unique rituals and customs, adding to the richness and diversity of Turkish wedding culture.
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The couple tries to step on each other's feet after the wedding ceremony
Turkish weddings are traditionally three-day-long affairs, packed with rituals and celebrations. One such ritual is the superstition of the newly married couple trying to step on each other's feet after the wedding ceremony. This is done to determine who will have the ultimate say in the marriage—whoever steps on the other's shoes first will be the boss in the relationship.
This playful tradition is a fun way to kick off the couple's new life together, and it's just one of many unique customs that make Turkish weddings stand out. For instance, in the lead-up to the wedding, the bride is treated to a "Henna Night" or "Kına Gecesi", where henna is applied to her palm to symbolise devotion and protection from evil. During this night, the bride is expected to cry to show her sorrow for leaving her family, before transitioning to laughter to signify moving on to her new life.
On the wedding day, the bride is collected from her family home, waving a Turkish flag gifted by her groom, and accompanied by a procession with music from traditional Turkish instruments. In another quirky custom, the bride serves the groom Turkish coffee with large spoonfuls of salt. If he can drink it without showing displeasure, he passes the test of having a good temperament.
After the ceremony, aside from the foot-stepping contest, the couple also partakes in other rituals. The bride breaks a clay jug to symbolise her strength, and the groom may sprinkle rice, wheat, sugar, and money over his new wife's head to wish for wealth and happiness in their marriage.
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The bride and groom queue up after the ceremony to collect gifts and money
Turkish weddings are steeped in tradition and can last for days, especially in rural areas. Traditionally, weddings would last three days and three nights, with the whole community participating in the celebrations.
After the legal wedding ceremony, which is usually held at a register office, the bride and groom queue up to collect gifts and money. This is a time for guests to offer their congratulations to the newlyweds. Gifts are typically in the form of money and gold, which is believed to bring the couple good luck and prosperity. The couple may also try to step on each other's feet, with superstition dictating that whoever is faster will have the last word in the marriage.
The days leading up to the wedding are filled with rituals and celebrations. The "henna" or "kina" night is a smaller gathering that takes place one to two weeks before the wedding. The bride wears a red gown and a red veil and celebrates with her female friends and family. During the ceremony, an elder leads the single women in a chant as they walk around the bride. The bride's hands are then decorated with henna, and she receives a gold coin from her mother-in-law as a gift.
Another unique tradition is the "bride pickup", where the bride is taken from her family home on a horse or in a car, accompanied by music and a procession. She waves a Turkish flag, gifted by her groom, as she makes her way to the groom's residence. This ceremonial journey is open to the public, with guests walking or driving to join the procession.
Turkish weddings are a vibrant and joyous affair, with traditional dances like the Halay signifying unity and cooperation. The community comes together to celebrate the union of the bride and groom, wishing them a long and happy marriage.
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Frequently asked questions
Turkish weddings traditionally last 3 days and 3 nights, especially in rural regions.
Turkish weddings are steeped in tradition and include many rituals, superstitions, and celebrations that may seem unusual to visitors. One of the most important parts of a Turkish wedding is the Henna Night or Kına Gecesi, which takes place one to two weeks before the wedding. During this celebration, the bride wears a red veil and a traditional outfit called a bindalli. She has henna applied to her hands, which are then wrapped in a red cloth. The bride's mother-in-law places a gold coin in her palm as a gift.
Another custom is the "bride pickup", where the bride is taken from her family home on a horse or in a car, accompanied by music and a procession. The groom is not permitted to follow the procession. During the ceremony, the bride and groom try to step on each other's feet, with superstition stating that whoever steps on the other's shoes first will have the ultimate say in the marriage.
Gold jewellery is often gifted by friends and family to the couple, to symbolise a prosperous future. The groom also presents the bride with a simple gift, such as flowers and a ring for their engagement.
