The Turkish tradition of giving cash or gold at weddings is a way to help newlyweds financially and support them as they start their new life together. You may purchase gold coins in different sizes at any jewelry store in Istanbul. If you cannot attend and would like to participate in the gift giving to the couple, please visit the "Honeymoon Fund" page to make a contribution.

Henna is applied to the bride’s palm and the groom’s pinky finger to protect them from evil. A gold coin, placed in the bride’s hand by a family elder, symbolizes good fortune. During this event, loved ones sing emotional songs to encourage the bride to shed tears, marking her transition into married life.

On the wedding day, the groom and his party arrive at the bride’s family home in a lively procession, accompanied by the sounds of Davul Zurna (traditional drums and flutes) filling the air. Before the bride departs, there is a symbolic exchange where the groom offers a gift or money, in return for the bride’s hand. This moment is followed by the breaking of pottery, a custom believed to bring good fortune and prosperity to the couple’s future.

The wedding ceremony is short yet meaningful. It is officiated by a local authority and witnessed by loved ones. After exchanging vows, the bride and groom step on each other’s feet—a playful superstition to determine who will have the “upper hand” in their marriage. Once the marriage document is signed, the couple is officially married.