Turkish Delight – Wonderful Wedding Traditions
Turkish Wedding Traditions form an important part of the culture of Turkey.
In former times a traditional Turkish wedding used to last for 40 days and 40 nights.
In current times, the celebrations proceed for three days in the country areas. In the city and suburban areas the ceremonies are further shortened.
Turkish Wedding Traditions vary from region to region.
According to Turkish Wedding Traditions, before the three-day long wedding feast begins, the groom’s family sends a variety of presents to the bride’s family.
The Bride is Hidden
At the bride’s place, the bride is hidden by her friends. The groom has to offer money to the bride’s friends to see her.
The elders of both the families prepare a list of furniture and household goods they are going to buy for the newly married couple.
This list of items is then given to the village alderman who passes it to the groom’s family.
A small tea party is given by the groom’s family.
Wedding Preparations Begin
Once the two families agree to the marriage the wedding preparations start. The two families exchange gifts.
In Turkey, there are two separate ceremonies of marriage held, one civil and the other religious. The religious ceremony takes place at the bride’s home seven days before the civil ceremony.
The ceremonies are observed by the family members of both the families. Henna ritual is also an integral part of the ceremony.
With the Rumelian Turks, it is customary to spread the good news of the marriage in the village and beyond with the beating of the drums.
Henna is Applied
Folk dances are performed by the guests and henna is applied on the hands. On the third day the outdoor activities start when the bridal procession reaches the groom’s house.
This is the commencement of the outdoor ceremonial activities.
The bride wears a white wedding dress and veil, adorned with a red sash around her waist and red bows on her dress or in her hair.
The groom is dressed in a tuxedo or dark suit.
Once the documents have been signed, the first dance is opened by the newly married couple. The bride, accompanied by her female relatives, then makes the rounds of her guests, carrying a red-lined basket.
Pin a Gold Coin
Guests kiss the bride, can pin a gold coin on her sash, may also slip a gold bracelet on her wrist, and deposit money in the basket.
Afterward, the bride usually changes from her white dress into a red or purple traditional gown which is richly embroidered in gold.
Relatives and female guests and are invited to form a circle around her, when her hands and the palms of her guests are painted with henna for good luck.
The Dance of the Fathers
Traditional music is played during the meal and often professional dancers perform. “The Dance of the Fathers” is an important part of the wedding celebration.
The fathers of bride and groom dance around each other. They are equally showered with banknotes and gold coins.
According to Turkish wedding culture and traditions, the wedding can take place only if the family members of both the bride and the groom give consent to the marriage.
In Anatolia, boys above the age of 18 and girls above the age of 16 are considered to be eligible for marriage.
In accordance with Turkish protocol, the girl is seen by the members of the groom’s family before the final settlement of marriage.
Wedding Ceremonies Go For 3 Days
Wedding ceremonies start on Friday and goes on till Sunday, or, start either on Tuesday and continues till Thursday.
To compensate somewhat, the traditional wedding gifts are money and gold.
Some features which are common to all the Turkish wedding customs of all the regions are planting a flag, women’s entertainment of the night and applying henna on the bride’s hand before the wedding day.
