Ozlem and Ilker had their real wedding abroad at Bodrum, Turkey in September 2007.
The proposal
While Ozlem was studying in Berlin for 18 months, Ilker called to say that when she returned to Istanbul, he wanted to marry her – he proposed right there over the phone.
The bride’s outfit for her real wedding abroad
Ozlem’s gorgeous, handmade French lacework gown was bought in Istanbul from Vakko. She wore pretty pearl earrings encrusted with small diamonds.
“For one night only, all eyes were on us – we were the most important people and we felt so special”
The groom’s outfit
Ilker bought his black suit from Berlin’s Hugo Boss and completed his look with a silver tie.
The bridesmaids
Each bridesmaid wore a different dress. Ozlem’s sister wore a pink halterneck design with a pretty diamanté brooch, while her cousin wore a cream dress and Ilker’s sister looked stunning in along, chocolate brown gown.
The flowers
The couple got married in Bodrum so they chose the area’s traditional flower, Begonvils, for bouquets, buttonholes and centrepieces.
The theme
The couple themed their real wedding abroad around one of their favourite love poems, ‘In the Arc of Your Mallet’ by Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi, which they also used on their invitations.
The ceremony
“We tried to create a fusion between our traditions,” explains Ozlem. The decorations and music were a mixture of the two cultures – Turkish (Ozlem) and German (Ilker).
The reception
“I think decoration is the most important thing. The décor is the first thing Bride’s top tip The couple held their reception at EV Beach and surprised guests by arriving by boat. They ate a main dish of fish, fresh from the region, and a selection of salads and puddings.
The cake
Had three tiers and was decorated with real Begonvils flowers from the south – west of Turkey.
Special touch
Ozlem and Ilker loved having all their family and friends around them, some of the whom had travelled from the United States.
The music
The guests loved the traditional Turkish music at the reception. Afterwards, a DJ entertained evryone into the early hours.
If we could do it all again…
“I wouldn’t choose a wedding dress with a long train because it was difficult to walk and dance in!”.
The honeymoon
On their wedding night, the couple stayed in the hotel’s honeymoon suite with two big bathrooms and amazing sea view, before spending a month travelling around South America, visiting Brazil and Argentina.
