In the coming months we hope to be able to share with you some of the great things our customers have said about their turkish wedding experience. For now, we include an outline of our own wedding experience in May 2005.

Our celebration began when Adem and I arrived at a restaurant on the beachfront of Pamucak beach. Together with our immediate families, we had our photographs taken out on the beach as the sun set.

When we returned we greeted the guests as they arrived, offering them the traditional sweets and hand cologne. They were all seated and a plate of Turkish ‘meze’ (hors d’oerves) was served to each guest, together with bread and drinks. In the background our live DJ played a mix of western and Turkish music, then the wedding official arrived. Adem, two witnesses and myself joined her at a table in full view of the guests, as we said ‘evet’ (yes) at the appropriate times, then we each signed the enormous council wedding register, then our Evlilik Cuzdanı (wedding book).

Dinner was served, and then the dancing began. Later our 7-tier banana sponge cake covered in real chocolate, orange flowers and lit by sparklers was rolled out. Cake was served together with platters of delicious fresh, local fruit. Adem and I then were given a wide ribbon each, which was hung around our necks, and onto this our guests pinned pieces of gold and money, or presented me with gold jewellery. Then the dancing resumed into the night.