Turkey is a country of diverse cultural and traditional practices, and among them, weddings hold a special place in Turkish society. Attending a Turkish wedding can be a unique experience. It is a chance for visitors to witness Turkish hospitality, music, and dancing, and most importantly, enjoy mouth-watering local food. However, figuring out what to wear to a Turkish wedding can be a bit tricky. You want to look your best, but also want to avoid dressing inappropriately or offending anyone. In this blog post, we will provide a comprehensive guide on what to wear to a Turkish wedding.
Formal or Informal?
Turkey hosts both big-city and small-village weddings, each with their unique dress requirements. Generally, Turkish weddings are semi-formal to formal events, but the dress code may depend on the region, venue, level of formality, and degree of religious conservatism. If you’re attending a small village wedding, the dress code is more relaxed, and visitors often wear casual attire. In contrast, if you’re attending a more formal wedding in the city, wearing formal attire is expected. Formal weddings are common, especially in big cities like Istanbul, Ankara, where white-tie or black-tie attire is the norm.
What to Wear as a Male Guest
Men should note that Turkish weddings are serious events and are not the place to show off their daring fashion choices. To blend in with the crowd, men should wear a suit or a blazer, dress pants combo. A vest or suspenders are also good to wear to complement the suit.
If the wedding has a dress code, it is recommended to wear a clear-white shirt and a tie or bow-tie that matches the suit’s color. Shoes and belts should be black to complete the outfit. However, in informal weddings, men are allowed to change the clear-white shirt for something more fun but still within the semi-formal to formal category.
What to Wear as a Female Guest
Women have more choices than men when it comes to dressing for a wedding, but it has to be noted that Turkish society can be conservative. Therefore, it is best to avoid anything that is form-fitting, extremely short, or revealing.
A long maxi dress or a floral dress, paired with comfortable heels, is an excellent option for a semi-formal to formal wedding. It’s best to opt for dresses that are not too short and not too tight-fitting, with no exposure of cleavage or shoulders. If you’re not a fan of dresses, you can choose to wear a skirt and top combination as an alternative to a dress.
For more conservative Turkish weddings, it’s best to cover the shoulders and opt for a more muted color palette. It is best not to wear a red dress to a Turkish wedding as it is considered too provocative or suggestive in Turkish culture.
Accessories
Accessories can add a pop of personality to your outfits and complete your look. Men should wear a watch and possibly a pocket square where it matches the suit’s color. Women can wear statement earrings or a necklace to enhance their attire.
Turkish weddings are a celebration of music and dancing; wearing comfortable shoes is a must. You will stand and dance a lot during the wedding, so avoid wearing high-heeled or uncomfortable shoes.
What to Avoid Wearing to a Turkish Wedding
There are a few items to avoid wearing to a Turkish wedding:
- Jeans
- Shorts
- Sneakers/trainers
- Anything overly tight or too revealing
- Anything too casual, such as t-shirts or tank tops
Conclusion
Attending a Turkish wedding is a unique and exciting experience, and dressing appropriately adds to the fun. As a rule of thumb, always go for semi-formal or formal attire, but keep in mind the wedding’s level of formality and cultural traditions. Men should wear a suit or blazer, dress pants combo, while women should opt for conservative maxi dresses or skirts and tops. Avoid anything that is overly casual, overly tight, or revealing, as it may be deemed disrespectful and offend some attendees. Wedding attire is all about striking a balance between comfort and respect for the event’s significance, and so, enjoy the experience and celebrate the happy couple.
FAQ
How long does a Turkish wedding last?
The duration of a traditional Turkish wedding varies depending on the location, culture, and family traditions. Historically, a Turkish wedding used to last for 40 days and 40 nights, but this practice has since been replaced by shorter three-day weddings in rural areas. In urban areas, this wedding ceremony is further shortened to one day in some cases.
Turkish weddings are always grand, entertaining, and elaborate affairs that bring together family, friends, and the local community to celebrate the union of two individuals. In the weeks leading up to the wedding, the groom’s family sends a variety of presents, including clothes, jewelry, and food, to the bride’s family as a sign of respect and appreciation. This gesture is known as the “asking ceremony” and is an essential part of Turkish wedding traditions.
On the day of the wedding, the bride and groom will typically have separate celebrations, with the groom’s family holding a more formal ceremony. The groom will wear traditional attire, a long white shirt covered with a black coat known as a “charshaf,” and a red cap called a “fez.” Additionally, the groom will usually ride a decorated horse to the bride’s home, where the wedding festivities will be held.
Once the bride and groom are together, the couple will exchange rings and engage in a symbolic act of washing each other’s hands to represent their commitment to keeping one another clean and pure. The couple will then host a large feast, complete with traditional Turkish cuisine and plenty of music and dancing. It is not uncommon for Turkish weddings to last through the night and into the early morning hours, with guests dancing and celebrating until dawn.
The duration of a Turkish wedding varies depending on the location, culture, and family traditions, with traditional weddings lasting for 40 days and 40 nights. However, in modern times, Turkish weddings typically last for three days in rural areas and one day in urban areas. Wedding celebrations are grand, elaborate, and entertaining affairs that bring together families, friends, and the community to celebrate the union of two individuals.
Is it still inappropriate to wear black to a wedding?
In the past, wearing black to a wedding was considered inappropriate because it was the color typically worn for mourning. However, times have changed and wedding dress codes have become less traditional. Nowadays, guests can absolutely wear black to a wedding without fear of committing a fashion faux pas. In fact, wearing black to a wedding has become increasingly common and is considered chic and sophisticated.
Many wedding guest attire guides now encourage guests to wear black. Black dresses or suits are a versatile option and can be dressed up or down depending on the formality of the event. Additionally, black is a flattering and slimming color that can make anyone look elegant and stylish.
It is still important to take the time to consider the specific dress code of the wedding when choosing what to wear. If the invitation calls for a specific dress code, such as black-tie or cocktail attire, it is important to adhere to the guidelines. In some cases, the couple may request that guests avoid wearing black altogether. If this is the case, it is best to respect their wishes and choose another color to wear.
While black was once considered inappropriate for weddings, it has now become a more widely accepted and fashionable choice for guests. Just remember to always consider the specific dress code of the event and any specific requests from the couple.