Planning A Wedding In Turkey: A Step-By-Step Guide

Turkey is a popular destination for weddings, with its stunning landscapes, rich culture, picturesque venues, and warm hospitality. Planning a wedding in Turkey involves incorporating the country's vibrant cultural practices and centuries-old customs, such as traditional attire, music, and dances. From the fairytale-like landscapes of Cappadocia to the vibrant beaches of Bodrum and the historical charm of Istanbul, Turkey offers a diverse range of venues to choose from. In this guide, we will take you through the steps to plan your dream wedding in Turkey, ensuring an unforgettable celebration that embraces the country's unique traditions and breathtaking locations.

Choosing a location

Turkey is a beautiful place to get married, with its rich culture, picturesque venues, and warm hospitality. When it comes to choosing a location, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, decide on the type of backdrop you want for your wedding. Do you want a fairytale-like landscape, a vibrant beach, or a historical setting? Turkey offers a diverse range of wedding venues to suit different tastes and preferences.

If you're looking for a fairytale-like setting, consider Cappadocia, known for its breathtaking landscapes and unique rock formations. This region offers a magical and romantic atmosphere for your wedding day. Alternatively, if you prefer a beach wedding, Bodrum is an excellent choice. With its vibrant beaches and crystal-clear waters, Bodrum provides a stunning backdrop for your ceremony and reception.

For those who want to incorporate history and culture into their wedding, Istanbul is a perfect choice. The city boasts a rich historical heritage and offers a range of venues, from ancient palaces to modern hotels. Istanbul combines the old and the new, providing a unique and memorable setting for your special day.

When choosing a location, it's also important to consider the accessibility and convenience for your guests. Think about the distance they will need to travel and whether there is suitable accommodation nearby. Additionally, research the local laws and regulations regarding weddings in your chosen location to ensure a smooth and stress-free planning process.

To make your wedding even more memorable, you can incorporate traditional Turkish elements. From the dazzling traditional attire to the rhythmic beats of Turkish music, your wedding can be a captivating journey into Turkey's rich cultural heritage. You can also treat your guests to delicious Turkish delights, known as "lokum," which come in various flavours like rose, pistachio, and lemon.

Incorporating Turkish traditions and customs

Turkey is steeped in centuries-old customs and vibrant cultural practices, making it a unique and memorable place to get married. Planning a Turkish wedding involves incorporating rich cultural traditions and customs that have been passed down through generations.

One of the most important aspects of a Turkish wedding is the attire. While the bride typically wears a white wedding dress, it is also common for Turkish brides to wear a traditional dress during pre-wedding events like the henna night. These dresses are often intricately embroidered and can be adorned with jewels and other accessories. The groom, on the other hand, typically wears a formal suit or tuxedo.

Music is another key element of a Turkish wedding. Turkish music is often rhythmic and can add a lively and vibrant atmosphere to your wedding. Consider including a belly dance performance, a traditional Turkish dance form that is sure to mesmerize your guests. The Zeybek folk dance is another option, symbolizing courage, strength, and unity.

Food and drink are also an important part of any wedding, and in Turkey, there are some delicious traditional options to choose from. Offer your guests traditional Turkish sweets, known as "lokum" or "Turkish delights". These come in various flavours like rose, pistachio, and lemon, adding a sweet touch to your wedding.

Turkish music and dance

Turkish weddings are steeped in centuries-old customs and vibrant cultural practices, making them a spectacle to behold. Turkish music and dance are an integral part of the wedding experience, adding a lively and vibrant atmosphere to the celebrations.

The rhythmic beats of Turkish music, often accompanied by traditional instruments such as the darbuka (hand drum), saz (long-necked lute), and zurna (double-reed woodwind instrument), set the tone for the festivities. Couples may choose to hire a live band or DJ specialising in Turkish music to perform at their wedding, creating an authentic and captivating auditory experience for their guests.

One of the most popular and traditional Turkish dances is the Belly Dance, known for its captivating and mesmerising movements. A belly dance performance adds a unique touch to the wedding, with the dancer's graceful and fluid motions enchanting the audience. The Zeybek folk dance is another vibrant and energetic dance form that symbolises courage, strength, and unity. Including this dance performance in the wedding festivities can be a memorable way to honour Turkish cultural traditions.

Couples can also incorporate Turkish music and dance into their wedding by encouraging guest participation. Teaching guests simple Turkish folk dances or providing them with Turkish instruments to play along to creates a fun and interactive experience for everyone. Additionally, couples may choose to perform a romantic Turkish waltz or other traditional couple dances as part of their first dance, adding a touch of cultural elegance to their special moment.

Turkish food and drink

Belly dancing is a traditional Turkish dance form that can add a lively and vibrant atmosphere to your wedding. It’s sure to mesmerise your guests and create an unforgettable experience.

Zeybek folk dance is another traditional Turkish dance that symbolises courage, strength and unity. This lively and energetic dance can be a memorable addition to your wedding festivities.

In addition to these traditional dances and sweets, there are many other Turkish foods and drinks that you can incorporate into your wedding. From mezes and kebabs to raki and Turkish coffee, there are plenty of options to choose from.

What to wear

Turkish weddings are steeped in centuries-old customs and vibrant cultural practices, making them a spectacle to behold. Planning a Turkish wedding involves incorporating rich cultural traditions and customs that have been passed down through generations.

The bride typically wears a white wedding dress similar to those seen in Western weddings, but it is also common for Turkish brides to wear a traditional dress during pre-wedding events like the henna night. These dresses are often intricately embroidered and can be adorned with jewels and other accessories. The groom, on the other hand, typically wears a formal suit or tuxedo.

If you want to blend in with the locals and embrace the culture, consider wearing traditional Turkish attire. For women, this could include a long, flowing dress or skirt with intricate embroidery and bright colours. Men can wear a traditional shirt and trousers, often made of lightweight fabric such as cotton or linen.

Don't forget to consider the weather when planning your wedding in Turkey. It can get quite hot during the summer months, so choose lightweight and breathable fabrics to keep you comfortable throughout the day.

Frequently asked questions