Planning a Destination Wedding at the Shores of the Bosphorus: Everything You Need to Know

A wedding is one of the most exciting and romantic events of one’s life. It’s a celebration of commitment, a declaration of love and a joyous reason to bring everyone you care about in your life together. Some couples choose to have their wedding at another destination than their hometown or residence, creating an unforgettable wedding weekend concept for themselves and their guests. Here is everything you need to know about planning a destination wedding with a Bosphorus backdrop at Istanbul.

Choosing the Perfect Bosphorus Venue

With the mesmerizing city lights, sounds of ferries and seagulls and the crisp wind from the sea Bosphorus is already a magical place to get married. Separating Asia from Europe, Bosphorus does not only offer stunning views but also historical significance. From 5 star hotel chains to palaces, modern establishments to centuries historical venues, Bosphorus strait already has a lot to offer. Narrowing the options down depends on a few factors: Proximity to the sea, the views of the actual event space and what’s included in the package. Besides these, if one side of the couple is from Istanbul or if one of the venues have a special place in their heart like being the proposal location, the sentimental values may also affect the choice.

Luxury Accommodations for Guests

A destination wedding brings additional details that need to be considered during planning. One of them being the accommodation options for the guests. Some couples only need accommodation for themselves and their parents. Others may want all of their guests or at least their immediate family to stay in the same place, whether it's the wedding venue or a hotel nearby. Couples should ask for accommodation options while they’re meeting with the representatives of wedding venues, depending on their wants and needs. Some wedding venues may only offer areas for the bride & groom to get ready for their big day but accommodate them at a different hotel for their wedding night. As many venues along the Bosphorus are few hundred year old Ottoman residences, they are most likely to only have rooms for the couple, so the guests should look for additional accommodation in Istanbul during the wedding weekend.

Finding Professional Vendors For Your Big Day

Planning a destination wedding requires working with professionals who give great attention to details. As you’re not living in the area where the wedding will take place, it’s important to delegate the tasks to trusted partners. Vendors you need to be in contact with for a wedding usually include, a venue manager, wedding planner, catering service, photographers and videographers, bar catering for drinks and entertainment companies for light, sound, DJs and live performers. 

Culinary Delights and Catering Services

Catering is one of the most important aspects of a wedding celebration. It’s more than just food to fill the stomachs, it’s a way of reflecting tradition, culture and the married couple’s personal taste. From cocktail hour bites to entrees, every bite is curated to onboard the guests on a journey to take part in the bride and groom’s love story. Fun catering ideas include his & her choices, custom cake decorations and starters or desserts that reflect the cultural backgrounds, specific flavors that represent the different locations they've lived or traveled together. One of the best catering services in Istanbul, The Marmara Catering is an excellent company that creates impeccable dining experiences for events, whether it’s a 20 person celebration or 400 person wedding. Their quality of service exudes any expectations as they’ve been catering such events for more than 25 years.

Professional Wedding Planning Services

Wedding planners are the hidden heroes of wedding days. They make sure no step is skipped and everything goes according to the plan. Anything can go wrong on a wedding day; like officiant or guest delays, outfit problems or seating chart mix ups. The wedding planner controls each vendor to keep them focused and work within the schedule to make sure the day runs smoothly. From the wedding ceremony to the first dance, cake cutting to the after party, the wedding planner is also the coordinator of the whole event, allowing the bride and groom to have the best day of their lives, without worrying about details. The planners are also responsible for the decor and floral arrangements, as well as other visual details like welcome signs, menu cards etc. The planners work closely with other vendors before the wedding day to make sure technical details like the placement of the DJ booth are not left to the last minute.

Entertainment and Music

The wedding entertainment keeps getting bigger and better with creative ideas and technology involved. Of course, people come together to celebrate the couple, but what keeps them on the dance floor all night long is the entertainment. From string quartet during the cocktail hour to live bands there are great musical choices for weddings in Istanbul. Some couples choose to have a live performance for their reception and save the DJ for the afterparty with close friends. Entertainment doesn’t stop here as nowadays drum shows, dance shows during cake cutting ceremonies and LED screen light shows take the party to another level. Couples can choose which type of entertainment reflects their style the most and include them on their special day.

Photography and Videography

The wedding day goes by in seconds for the bride and groom. As they try to stay in the moment, they might not remember a part of their partner’s vows, a speech or just want to revisit the memories anytime they want. That’s why hiring wedding photographers and videographers is crucial to document the day. Depending on the company, they split into two teams to be with the bride and groom at the same time, as they get ready separately with their friends and family. The teams come together during the ceremony and capture the perfect shots and videos throughout the day to make sure the couple has their special day documented.

Weather and Seasonal Considerations

Istanbul experiences all four seasons along the year but unfortunately the weather is getting more and more unpredictable each year with global warming. Wedding season in Istanbul is generally between May and September, as people love to celebrate their special day outdoors. However some August dates might get too hot that some prefer an air conditioned indoor venue instead. Also it’s possible to experience unexpected rain and wind in the middle of summer, which would require changing plans.

Why The Marmara Esma Sultan is the Perfect Choice for Your Destination Wedding

With its unique structure, historical value and professional team, The Marmara Esma Sultan is a popular destination for weddings in Istanbul. Located right on the shores of Bosphorus, the historic mansion is a cultural heritage, which is now used as an event space for weddings and other celebrations. The Marmara Esma Sultan has both indoor and outdoor areas for ceremony and reception, allowing bride and groom to select whichever they like. Together with The Marmara Catering, the venue has hosted thousands of weddings and other events offering elegance and sophistication at the most desired location of Istanbul. If you’re looking for a destination wedding venue in Istanbul, The Marmara Esma Sultan is one of the most iconic buildings in the city, standing as a testament to the opulence of Ottoman architecture.