Turkish weddings are not just a celebration. A long process based on ancient rites. Like many Muslim (though not only Muslim) weddings, it consists of several stages. Despite the fact that Turkish youth often independently decide on marriage, weddings by agreement of parents in Turkey still take place.
The first step of the bride, and then the matchmaking
The marriage in Turkey begins with the groom's parents announcing to their relatives that they are looking for a bride for their son. All relatives are connected to the search. As soon as a suitable girl appeared on the horizon, the first ceremony begins - bridegrooms. Turkish weddings are impossible without them.
Only women, led by the bridegroom, participate in the watch. After the wedding, both sides diverge and discuss the result. If the girl was liked, and her parents were arranged by the groom, a matchmaking day is appointed, the decision on which (as well as about further events) is taken by men. Turkish Ahiska weddings adhere especially strictly to customs: even the verbal formulas for each ceremony they strictly correspond to the Quran. Three times, first the relatives of the groom, and then the relatives of the bride, loudly announce the upcoming engagement. By the way, very often even a Russian-Turkish wedding takes place according to the same scenario, especially if the groom is a Turk. Usually, the matchmakers make trips to the bride’s house several times and only then get consent: this is the custom. Securing the deal, the groom gives the bride a ring and a scarf, and the parents discuss the details. This stage ends with a feast.
Stage Three - Betrothal
He passes in the house of the bride. Relatives are invited, in a festive atmosphere, the parties exchange gifts, and an expensive ring is put on the bride’s finger. For some nationalities, the groom may not be present at this event: his relatives are enough. Turkish weddings and customs are different in details: it all depends on nationality, place of residence, etc.
Here is the wedding!
Turkish weddings consist of two stages. It begins by hanging a wedding flag in the groom's house. At the bride's house, friends and relatives gather in the house, under traditional chants, smear her feet and palms with henna, and then have fun. The second stage is the removal of the bride from home. Usually a wedding train is made up, but still some brides are transported to the groom by horse. The procession is led by a car with a dowry, and then a bride is carried, belted in a red belt (a sign of innocence). Dancing guests accompany her from behind. Before the young woman crosses the threshold of her husband’s house, water will be poured under her feet (from the evil eye), and the jambs and door will be smeared with honey and oil (to wealth). Exactly at midnight, young guests chant to the bedroom. And then the real fun begins. Men scorch their guns, reporting the beginning of a wedding night, then arrange a torchlight procession. In the morning, the mother-in-law hangs out a sheet proving the purity of the bride.
Turkish weddings: similar and different
Naturally, wedding ceremonies are different in different regions of Turkey. Somewhere, each stage is accompanied by expensive gifts. Somewhere, a “night of henna” is also arranged for the groom, accompanying the action with a public washing and shaving of the latter. But no matter how different the traditional celebration in detail, it always remains a colorful and vivid sight.