In Turkey, Islamic marriage ceremonies are usually performed in accordance with religious rules. The marriage is performed in the presence of witnesses. The couple completes the Islamic marriage contract under the guidance of the imam and then the ceremony ends with prayers. Istanbul, with its historical and cultural richness, is one of the most frequently preferred places for such religious marriage ceremonies. Especially places like The Blue Mosque are among the most visited mosques with their spiritual atmosphere and impressive architecture. You can find the rest of the “Islamic Marriage Ceremony in Turkey” article under the photos.
I have lost count now, I can’t remember how many different couples I have met from different countries. However, some cultural encounters still surprise and make me happy. This time, there was a Spanish bride and a Pakistani groom in our story. Moreover, they chose Istanbul to get married.
From Spain and Pakistan
Helena Rodríguez is of Spanish origin and lives in Madrid. Hammad Imran is Pakistani and continues his life in the same city. After getting to know each other in Madrid, their love grows rapidly and they decide to get married. Helena gets to know Islam more closely during her journey with Hammad and decides to become a Muslim over time. When the couple wanted to have a wedding ceremony in accordance with Islamic rules, they decided that Istanbul was the best place for it.
Our first meeting with this wonderful couple took place at Caribou Coffee in Karaköy at around 9 am. We had a short chat while drinking our coffees. The excitement in their eyes, the love they felt for each other and the happiness they felt to be in Istanbul were evident in every way. After the chat, we started taking photos.
Photo Shoot
Our shooting started on the Karaköy coast and continued over the Galata Bridge. I tried to reflect the historical texture of Istanbul in the photos in Eminönü Square and Yeni Mosque courtyard. Helena’s elegant and simple wedding dress provided us with great flexibility throughout the shooting. Thanks to this comfort, we were able to take the tram to Sultanahmet Square. We also took our last shots here. After a while, Helena and Hammad’s family and friends joined us and we had fun group shots in the square.
The nikah took place at The Blue Mosque. During the wedding ceremony that lasted about 15 minutes, vows were made, prayers were read in the presence of witnesses and our couple got married in accordance with Islamic rules. After the ceremony, we took our final photo in the mosque courtyard with the minaret and dome as a backdrop.
This wedding symbolized the magnificent union of not only two people but also two different cultures in Istanbul. Witnessing and immortalizing such special moments is one of the best parts of my job. I wish Helena and Hammad happiness in their future life together!
Islamic Marriage Ceremony in Turkey by Ufuk Sarisen
