We personally recommend Turkish Airlines! They offer direct flights from many major U.S. cities, and we’ve always had a wonderful experience with their service and food. That said, feel free to use any airline you are comfortable with (Lufthansa, British Airways, and United also have great connections).
During the reception, we will host the Takı Töreni, a dedicated time for guests to offer their congratulations and well-wishes. In this Turkish tradition, the couple wears silk sashes, and guests are invited to "pin" their gifts directly onto the sashes (don’t worry, we provide the safety pins!). Traditionally, gifts consist of gold coins or currency, not in the form of a registry with various items. In Turkey, guests visit a kuyumcu (a specialized jeweler) to purchase specific gold coins for weddings, but USD is a very common and practical alternative that is perfectly appropriate for the ceremony. Whether you choose a gift from the kuyumcu or a crisp bill, this is a special moment for us to share a brief personal thank you with each of you!
If you’d like to purchase gold yourself, look for a reputable "Kuyumcu" (Jeweler). In Turkey, wedding gold is typically 22k (22-carat). You can ask for a "Çeyrek Altın" (Quarter Gold), which is the most traditional wedding gift. They usually come with a small pin so you can attach it to our ribbons during the ceremony!
USD!
Yes and no! In major cities like Istanbul and in tourist hubs (hotels, airports, and the Grand Bazaar), you will find plenty of English speakers. However, once you step into smaller neighborhoods or local shops, English is less common so keeping Google Translate handy can assist you. Turkish people are famously hospitable and will go out of their way to help you, even if there is a language barrier.
Most places take credit cards, but it’s helpful to have some Lira for small vendors. You can get a better rate at exchange offices (Döviz) in the city than at the airport.
The Henna Night (Kına Gecesi) is a centuries-old tradition that celebrates the bride's transition into marriage. Here’s what you can expect: Who is invited: This event is for ladies only. The Vibe: A lively mix of a party and a soulful ritual. Expect traditional music and dancing. The Dress Code: Cocktail. The Ceremony: Under candlelight, family and friends circle the bride, representing her "farewell" to her childhood home- usually emotional. The Henna: Henna will be applied to the bride’s palm- representing joy, abundance, prosperity, and the transition from childhood.
BiTaksi is the local Turkish equivalent to Uber/Lyft and is often more reliable than Uber in Turkey. We highly recommend downloading it before you arrive! It has a much larger network of drivers, especially as you move toward cities like Sakarya. Furthermore, it shows you the estimated fare upfront, tracks your route via GPS (so you know you're on the right track), and lets you pay by card or cash. It’s the best way to ensure you’re paying the fair local rate.
To avoid “traveler’s tummy” we recommend sticking to bottled or filtered water for drinking. While tap water is perfectly fine for showering and brushing your teeth, it isn't typically used for drinking in Turkey.
This fund is a convenient, digital way for guests to contribute to the Turkish tradition of gifting gold without having to visit a jeweler (kuyumcu) themselves. Contributions of any amount are pooled together for us to invest in traditional gold pieces after the wedding. Please note that since this is a collective fund, we won't be able to provide individual gold for pinning; if you would like to personally participate in the "pinning ceremony" during the reception, we recommend bringing a physical gift, gold or USD, to the wedding instead!
While we are excited to share several Turkish traditions with you, there is no requirement for guests to wear traditional Turkish clothing. The attire for our wedding is cocktail, which is similar to what you would wear to an American wedding—think suits and ties or your favorite cocktail dresses. We want you to be stylish and comfortable as we celebrate and dance the night away!