Turkish Wedding Customs And Rituals - Turkish Henna Night

Weddings are a vital element of every culture, with subtle and significant variances in almost every place worldwide. It's no wonder that weddings in Türkiye have evolved into something absolutely distinctive to Türkiye.

Turkey is a country full of stunning architecture and delectable cuisine. This region is ideal for its colorful history and distinct cultures, thanks to prominent towns including as Istanbul and Cappadocia. Turkish wedding customs like many other countries throughout the world, incorporate modern and time-honored rites. It's a fantastic event to be a part of. Continue reading this article with Turkey Immigration Services to discover more about Turkish culture and its stunning wedding traditions.

A Brief History of Turkish Wedding Traditions

Turkish wedding traditions have deep historical roots, tracing back to the ancient civilizations of Anatolia. In these early societies, weddings served both personal and societal purposes, fostering relationships and alliances. Modern Turkish weddings have inherited elements from these ancient practices, incorporating symbolic gifts and communal celebrations.

Historically, Turkish weddings spanned three days and three nights, engaging entire communities in festivities with music and dancing. Couples could choose between religious or civil ceremonies, with religious weddings requiring only an imam and two witnesses, lacking legal binding. Traditional weddings in Turkey, especially in rural areas, involve a checklist of rituals for a prosperous marriage.

The diversity of Turkish wedding traditions is reflected in distinct customs across every region, contributing to a culturally rich tapestry. For those unfamiliar with these customs, a guide to some prevalent rituals provides insight into the captivating traditions of this country.

Turkish wedding traditions vary across regions showcasing cultural diversity 

Turkish Wedding Customs And Rituals You Need To Know

Turkish Prewedding Traditions

In Turkish wedding traditions, the exchange of rings doesn't happen during the wedding ceremony but rather during the engagement in a ritual known as Alyans. Here, an elder family member ties two rings to the couple's fourth finger on their right hand. The night before the wedding, the bride and her loved ones celebrate Henna Night (Kına Gecesi) akin to a bachelor or bachelorette party. This centuries-old tradition involves applying henna to the bride's palm and groom's pinky finger while playing traditional folk songs believed to ward off evil. A gold coin, placed in the bride's hand by a family elder, symbolizes protection from misfortune. During the Henna night Turkish wedding, the bride, seated in a chair, is encouraged to shed tears with ballads, symbolizing a farewell to her single life. Once the tears are shed, the night transforms into a cheerful celebration with dancing.

Turkish Wedding Attire

Traditionally, brides would adorn themselves with a red veil or have a red ribbon tied around their waist, symbolizing purity, luck, and prosperity. However, in recent times, white dresses have become the standard for brides, holding significance as the first fashionable attire many young women are permitted to wear. Grooms typically opt for suits or tuxedos during wedding events. A pivotal aspect of every Turkish wedding is the maidenhood belt tying ceremony, where a male figure, often the bride's brother, assists her in fastening the maidenhood belt (known as Bekaret Kusagi in Turkish) around her waist before joining the procession.

Turkish wedding attire 

Guest Attire

As a wedding guest, it is recommended to attire oneself in a bright, stylish, and formal manner. For women, this entails the consideration of high heels, floor-length gowns, and appropriate jewelry. Given the anticipated dancing during the event, bringing a pair of comfortable shoes for later use may be prudent. While dressing up is imperative for the occasion, it is worth noting that the ceremony may adopt a cocktail-style format, potentially involving extended periods of standing.

How Turkish Wedding Traditions Stand Out

1. Henna night or “Kına Gecesi”

Henna night, a time-honored Turkish tradition, occurs a day or two before the wedding, bringing families and friends together for a modest celebration. Amidst singing traditional folk songs, henna is applied to the bride's palm and the groom's pinky finger, symbolizing devotion and protection from evil.

While henna night practices may differ among regions, a common element involves inducing genuine sorrow in the bride-to-be, seated on a chair amidst single girls holding candles and singing ballads. The atmosphere builds as anticipation surrounds the moment when the bride sheds tears, signifying the emotional transition from sorrow to joy in her new life.

Adding to the cultural Turkey's depth, the bride abstains from opening her hand during the henna application. Upon the announcement that "the bride does not want to open her hand," the mother-in-law places a gold coin in her palm, serving as a henna gift and infusing this age-old tradition with a layer of symbolism and cultural significance.

 

In Turkey Henna night occurs a day or two before the wedding  

2. Coffee with salt

When the groom's parents formally visit the bride's family to ask for her hand in marriage. Except for the groom, the bride serves Turkish coffee with sugar. As a token of his love and thanks for his spouse, the bride puts salt on the groom's coffee, forcing him to bear the flavor and drink it all (without facial reactions). Following a coffee with salt, which represents the man's willingness to put up with everything his future bride throws at him, the groom gives the bride with a simple gift, such as flowers and a simple engagement ring.

Read more: Tulip Festival Turkey: A Kaleidoscope Of Colors And Culture

3. Gold-adorning ceremony

If you want to express yourself in a unique way, here is the place to be. Friends and family members give the couple gold jewelry as they begin a new life together. Given the financial strain that weddings entail, these gifts help to lighten the couple's weight. The chosen jewelry is usually turned to cash, providing practical assistance. Though pinning these gifts on the bride and husband is time-consuming and demanding, exchanging gold for well-wishes makes it all worthwhile in the end.

Friends and family gift the couple gold jewelry for their new life 

4. Wedding shoe signing

This is a lovely custom performed by a bride and her closest female companions. Traditionally, a woman will write the names of her unmarried friends on the soles of her shoes before her wedding. The one who will marry next is the one whose name has faded the greatest after the wedding. This tradition is comparable to the bouquet toss, although it is also featured in more Westernized Turkish weddings. Putting your friends' initials on shoes is a fun and romantic way to keep your friends engaged in your private wedding customs.

5. The Maidenhood Belt

The Maidenhood belt tying is an integral part of any Turkish wedding. In order for the bride to join the procession, a male figure, generally the bride's brother, would help her tie the maidenhood belt (Bekaret Kusagi in Turkish) around her waist. The bride ties the maidenhood belt three times before continuing the wedding.

The Maidenhood belt tying is an integral part of any Turkish wedding 

6. Stepping on Each other’s feet

One of the most prevalent superstitions about the moment after the "I dos" is that the newlyweds will step on each other's toes. Whoever makes the first step in the marriage is believed to have the last say. Although the grooms can walk on the brides' feet, the ladies are often faster. If you're looking for a unique way to express yourself, here is the place to be. Because shoes represent independence in almost every culture, we may use this ritual to keep couples from abandoning each other. Whether you believe in this custom or not, you will enjoy rooting for your team to step on the opposing team's foot as quickly as possible!

Turkish wedding customs are a symphony of tradition, love, and cultural richness. Each ceremony is a chapter in the nation's history, a story of love that unfolds against the backdrop of ancient Anatolia and the vibrant tapestry of contemporary Turkey. As couples embark on their journey together, they carry with them the echoes of centuries, making a Turkish wedding not just a union of two souls but a celebration that resonates with the spirit of a nation.