I learned that traditionally a Turkish wedding lasted 40 days and 40 nights, but due to modernization it was cut down to 2 or 3, especially in urban areas. The ritual went something like this: we all sat in the living room with Nazan on a chair in the middle covered by a red veil. Then the younger girls entered the room carrying candles and a tray of henna and walked around Nazan while everyone sang songs.
She had to clench her fists until her mother-in-law got up and placed a gold coin in her hands symbolizing wealth and luck, and finally a red cloth was tied around both her hands. Afterwards, the henna tray was passed around and all the guests got to drip some onto their hands. Then began the eating and dancing and singing! Late into the night we stayed and celebrated! The next day we got up bright and early and were shepherded to the hair salon by Nazan.
Very intricate hair styles were created on Nazan and her sisters-in-law while I opted for a less daunting upsweep. I think we spent a good four or five hours in the hair salon! We were chauffeured to the hotel conference center where the ceremony was to be held. I was amazed at how much effort and detail had been put into the decorations!
Dozens of round tables decorated with elaborate floral arrangements and shiny cutlery were arranged in the room, a small stage with a piano player and musicians played as we entered and the din of voices made my ears ring!
In Turkey, greetings are taken very seriously, so everyone first greeted the bride and her family personally, resulting in my learning a lot of names that I cannot remember and kissing a lot of cheeks! Nazan, followed by some of her female relatives, walked around the room with a small basket and greeted the guests again separately. Nazan was dressed in white with a red sash around her waist and a red bow in her hair.
