Bosphorus Cruise + Welcome Dinner

Ceremony

Reception

Wedding Day

Bye-Bye Brunch

Pool Day

Our Wedding

Our Story

Photos

Wedding Party

We will host a pre-wedding Q&amp;A to share tips and discuss logistics.Stay tuned for the date and time!

Hotel Recommendations

We recommend you stay at <a href="https://www.thegrandtarabya.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Grand Tarabya Hotel</a> on Wednesday and Thursday nights, September 2-4. The Sunset Cruise will depart from The Grand Tarabya Hotel on Wednesday, September 2. The wedding itself will be held in the same location on Thursday, September 3rd. We suggest staying both nights to make things easier—but of course, please do whatever works best for you.

Hotels nearby include: 1. <a href="https://www.thegrandtarabya.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Grand Tarabya Hotel</a> (recommended)- Location where the wedding will take place.2. <a href="https://www.miamiasuites.com/tr/main/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mia Mia Suites</a>- A budget-friendly boutique option also very close to the Bosphorus.3. <a href="https://vehotelsbogazici.com.tr/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">VE Hotels BOĞAZiÇi</a>- Stylish hotel in the Tarabya area, close to the waterfront.4. <a href="https://tarabya-palace.inistanbulhotels.com/en/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Tarabya Suites-</a> Apartment-style suites are great for longer stays or travelers who want a more home-like setting. We anticipate that rooms will sell out. Please book as soon as you have finalized plans!

Flying into Istanbul

✈️ Istanbul Airport (IST) – This is the main international airport serving Istanbul, and it’s the nearest to the hotel, located roughly 40–42 km (25–26 mi) away by road. From there, it’s about a 40–50 minute drive depending on traffic and transport mode. Another option — but farther away — is: ✈️ Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) – This airport is on the Asian side of Istanbul and typically around 45–55 km (28–34 mi) from the hotel, with travel taking closer to 1–1.5 hours by car or shuttle.

Getting Around Istanbul

Istanbul offers plenty of easy and affordable transportation options for visitors. Ferries- A scenic way to travel and connect most major neighborhoods and attractions. Metro/Trams- Fast and affordable, payment can be made with phone or credit card. Taxis/Uber- Widely available and convenient for short door-to-door travel. But keep in mind, Istanbul traffic can be very bad, so avoid long commutes during busy times. If you're going to be in Istanbul for more than a few days, we recommend downloading the <a href="https://www.bitaksi.com/en" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">bitaksi app</a>.

Travel

Welcome to Istanbul

One of the many reasons we want to get married in Istanbul is that it's a wonderful city to explore! Whether you're the type to walk around and get lost or beeline to Chat GPT's Top 5 Things To Do, we're confident your journey will be one to remember. Here are some recommendations for your time in Istanbul:

Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya)

This iconic building has stood for 1,500 years, serving as a cathedral, mosque, and museum. It’s a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture, and seeing its massive dome, ornate mosaics, and layered history is unforgettable. Tip: Go early (right when it opens) to avoid crowds and soak in the grandeur in relative quiet.

Grand Bazaar (Kapalıçarşı)

One of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world, with thousands of shops inside a maze of covered streets. You’ll find everything from spices to carpets to jewellery — and you’ll get a real sense of local commerce and bustle. Tip: Be ready to browse, ask questions, and maybe haggle a bit — keep your valuables secure, as it can get crowded.

Eat Freshly Baked Simit (Turkish Sesame Bread)

Rumor has it that the modern bagel was inspired by Turkish Simit. During your explorations, try some freshly baked Simit (Turkish sesame bread) from one of Istanbul's street vendors. Pairs well with cheese and tea (chai)!

Traditional Turkish Bath (Hammam) 

A visit to a hammam is a great way to relax and experience a centuries-old bathing tradition. Tip: Choose one of the historic hammams, book in advance, and bring appropriate clothing.

Galata Tower

From the observation deck of Galata Tower, you’ll get panoramic views; then explore the creative cafés, boutique shops, and lively streets of the surrounding Galata/Beyoğlu area Tip: Visit in the evening for the full buzz of cafés, street music, and people-watching.

İstiklal Street

For a change of pace from historic sites, head to the lively Beyoğlu district and walk down Istiklal Street, soaking in the cafés, street life, shopping, and perhaps the iconic red tram. This area offers the modern city flavour of Istanbul. Tip: Go in the evening for the full vibrant atmosphere; lots of food and drink options here.

Things to Do

Registry

Basics 🇹🇷 1. Hello – Merhaba – (mehr-hah-bah)2. Good morning – Günaydın – (goo-nahy-duhn)3. Good evening – İyi akşamlar – (ee-yee ahk-shahm-lahr)4. Goodbye – Hoşça kal / Güle güle – (hosh-cha kahl / goo-leh goo-leh)5. Please – Lütfen – (loot-fen)6. Thank you / Thanks – Teşekkür ederim / Teşekkürler – (teh-shehk-koor eh-deh-reem / teh-shehk-koor-lehr)7. You’re welcome – Bir şey değil – (beer shey deh-eel)8. I’m sorry – Üzgünüm – (ooz-goo-noom)9. Yes / No – Evet / Hayır – (eh-vet / hah-yuhr)10. Excuse me / Sorry – Affedersiniz – (ah-feh-dehr-see-neez) Getting Around &amp; Essentials 🚕 11. Do you speak English? – İngilizce biliyor musunuz? – (een-gee-leel-zeh bee-lee-yor moo-soo-nooz)12. Where is the bathroom? – Tuvalet nerede? – (too-vah-let neh-reh-deh)13. Can you help me? – Yardım eder misiniz? – (yahr-duhm eh-dehr mee-see-neez)14. I don’t know – Bilmiyorum – (beel-mee-yo-room)15. I don’t understand – Anlamıyorum – (ahn-lah-muh-yo-room)16. I don’t speak Turkish – Türkçe bilmiyorum – (toork-cheh beel-mee-yo-room)17. Can you speak slowly? – Yavaş konuşur musunuz? – (yah-vahsh koh-noo-shoor moo-soo-nooz)18. Where is [place name]? – [Yer adı] nerede? – ([yehr ah-duh] neh-reh-deh)19. How much? – Ne kadar? – (neh kah-dahr)20. The check, please – Hesap lütfen – (heh-sahp loot-fen)

Wedding Day Phrases 21. What’s your name? – Adın ne? (Ah-dun neh?)22. Let’s dance – Hadi dans edelim (Hah-dee dahns eh-deh-leem)23. Cheers – Şerefe (Sheh-reh-feh)24. Drink – İçki (Eech-kee)25. Beer – Bira (Bee-rah)26. Wine – Şarap (Sha-rahp)27. Bride – Gelin (Ge-lin)28. Groom – Damat (Dah-maht)29. I’m having so much fun – Çok eğleniyorum (Chok eh-lay-nee-yo-room)30. I do – Evet, kabul ediyorum (Eh-vet, kah-bool eh-dee-yo-room)

Maryam & Candan

Maryam & Candan

Photos