Turkey Destination Wedding Guide 2024

In this guide, you will learn everything you need to know about planning or attending a destination wedding in Turkey.

Weddings in Turkey: What You Need To Know

If you’re looking for a truly unique destination wedding, Turkey should be at the top of your list.

With its stunning beaches, historic castles and atmospheric cityscapes, Turkey has something to offer every kind of couple.

Whether you’re looking for a traditional Turkish wedding or something more modern, there are plenty of options to choose from.

The city of Istanbul is a popular choice for couples getting married, with its beautiful mosques and palaces providing a majestic setting.

For those wanting a more rural experience, the idyllic town of Cappadocia is the perfect place to tie the knot.

With its fairy chimneys and cave churches, it’s like something out of a fairytale.

Whichever location you choose, a destination wedding in Turkey is sure to be an unforgettable experience.

But first: you need to know where in the world Turkey is…

Where is Turkey?

Turkey is a transcontinental country located mainly in western Asia with a small portion in southeastern Europe. It borders the Black Sea to the north, Georgia to the northeast, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Iran to the east, Iraq to the southeast, Syria and the Mediterranean Sea to the south, the Aegean Sea to the west, and Greece and Bulgaria to the northwest.

Area: 297,146 sq mi (769,604 sq km), Population: (2022 est.) 85,217,000, Capital: Ankara.

Turkey Facts To Know:

Language: Turkish
Currency: Turkish lira
Airports: Istanbul Airport (IST), Antalya Airport (AYT), Esenboğa International Airport (ESB)
Official Tourism Website: https://goturkiye.com/
Driving side: Right

Below you will find some more useful information about visiting Turkey for your special day:

4 Tips for Planning a Destination Wedding in Turkey

Planning a wedding can be stressful. Planning a destination wedding can be even more stressful!

But it doesn’t have to be. Here are some tips and things you need to know for planning a destination wedding in Turkey:

1. Choose a date that works for both you and your guests

Choosing a wedding date can be a daunting task, whether you are planning on getting married in Turkey or closer to home.

You want to make sure that you pick a date that works for both you and your guests.

Here are some tips to help you choose the perfect wedding date:

2. Decide on a budget

When it comes to having a Turkey wedding, there are a lot of different factors that come into play – from the guest list to the venue.

But one of the most important decisions you’ll make is how much you’re willing to spend.

Here are some tips on how to decide on a budget for your wedding:

3. Find a venue that fits your vision and budget

No one ever said wedding planning was easy. In fact, it can often feel downright daunting.

Here’s some useful resources for finding a wedding venue in Turkey:

4. Hire a wedding planner to take care of the details

A wedding planner can take care of everything for you, from booking vendors to creating a timeline for the day.

Here are some tips on how to find and hire the right planner for your big day in Turkey

Turkey Weddings: Key Information

Getting married abroad is a big decision. There’s a lot of things you need to be aware of if you want your big day to run smoothly.

To help, we have put together some useful information about getting married in Turkey:

What is the average cost of a wedding in Turkey?
What are the marriage requirements for Turkey?
What is the weather like in Turkey?
What should you pack for a trip to Turkey?
What things are there to do in Turkey?
What are the best Turkey wedding venues?

Read on to find out more:

How Much Does a Wedding in Turkey Cost?

The marriage license fee is 50.00, and it doesn’t include the legalization of documents.

A fee for reserving a time slot for the ceremony at the wedding hall with the marriage bureau is around $150 – $200, and both partners have to be present to apply for a date at the city hall.

Legal Requirements for Getting Married in Turkey

When applying for a marriage license, you will need to provide the following documents:

Passport and notarized translation of the passport.
6 passport photos, not older than 6 months.
Birth certificate.
Health certificate for marriage, issued by a state hospital in Turkey.
A certificate of celibacy issued by your home country’s consulate in Istanbul (and approved by the Istanbul Governorship Legal Affairs Directorate or the District Governor’s Registrar’s Office), or if the consulate is in Ankara it is approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. If the celibacy certificate is to be obtained from your home country, it must be legalized by an apostille or certified by the embassy.
International certificate of no impediment to marriage.
Accommodation certificate or rental agreement is required.
Foreign nationals living in Turkey must have their residence permit, work permit or visa up to date.
Medical examinations (the registry office responsible for you will tell you exactly which tests must be included on the health certificate).
If you have already been married, provide the relevant documentation to demonstrate that you are either divorced or widowed.
Name change document – generally all names on all documents need to match (including your parents’ names), otherwise proof of name change needs to be shown.

Other legal requirements are:

To apply for a marriage license, one must be at least 18 years old.
2-4 witnesses are required. They must be over 18 years old and they must know the couple. Witnesses can be foreigners.
Religious ceremonies are not legally recognized.
There is no restriction for foreign people marrying in Turkey, provided that they are in the country legally and get the proper marriage license.
All international paperwork has to be translated into Turkish by an official translator. It is mandatory that they be authenticated with an Apostille stamp from your home country first.

Before making any wedding or travel preparations, make sure you have all the paperwork needed for your marriage to be recognized in your home country by checking with the local county clerk or marriage official where you intend to marry.

What you need to have in your possession before leaving the country is a legal document that can confirm that your marriage is legitimate and has been registered – the marriage certificate.

What Is The Weather Like in Turkey?

Almost the whole country of Turkey has a dry and sunny summer, with the exception of the north-eastern coast, but it may still get quite warm there.

Therefore, the best time to visit Turkey is in the spring and fall, and if you are planning to go to the high mountains then aim to go in July and August.

The ideal months to go on a beach vacation are July and August in the north and north-east coast, but keep in mind that the summer in the regions east of Istanbul are not very sunny and may be rainy, particularly in the areas most exposed to the westerlies.

In the easternmost part of the coast, the rain may be abundant even in summer.

The swimming season spans from June to September along the west coast, where the summer is warm and sunny.

Nevertheless, the water in this region is a little bit colder, and sometimes the meltem, a northern wind, blows.

The months of June and September are better choices if you want to escape the sweltering heat of the southern coast’s summer, which, over a certain point, may be felt even at the beach.

What should you pack for your trip?

In the winter:

If you are planning to visit the north and west coast and also the south on the border with Syria, pack warm clothes like a sweater, a jacket, and a raincoat or umbrella.

Pack warm clothing for Istanbul, including a down jacket, along with a scarf and hat for cold weather. In Antalya and along the south coast, you should pack clothing appropriate for spring and fall, as well as a sweater, a jacket, and either a raincoat or an umbrella.

If you are going to Ankara and/or the plateau, pack very warm clothes like a down jacket, a hat, a scarf, and gloves.

In the summer:If you plan on spending the summer on the west or south coast of Turkey (İzmir or Antalya), pack lightweight clothing, as well as a sweatshirt for the evenings and a scarf in case of the evening breeze.

Bring a sweatshirt or even a sweater for the northern coast (Istanbul, Trabzon), and a raincoat or umbrella for the eastern Black Sea coast.

Pack light clothing for the day, a sun hat, and a sweatshirt or sweater for the evening if you plan on visiting Ankara or on the plateau. If you plan on spending time on the eastern side of the plateau, you should also bring a jacket for the evening. If you plan on spending the night outside in the south, near the border with Syria, you should pack lightweight clothes made of natural fibers, a desert turban, and potentially a sweatshirt.

You must remove your shoes and cover your shoulders and legs before entering mosques.

In more remote or non-touristy places, it is preferable for women to refrain from wearing shorts and miniskirts.

In more remote or non-touristy places, it is preferable for women to avoid wearing shorts and miniskirts.

Turkey Weather By Month

Below you will find some useful information and handy tables of weather information to help you pick the best month to visit Turkey:

Average Temperatures in Turkey

The table below shows the average temperatures in Turkey each month:

Month	Min (°C)	Max (°C)	Mean (°C)	Min (°F)	Max (°F)	Mean (°F)
January	5.4	15.1	10.3	42	59	50.5
February	6.2	16	11.1	43	61	51.9
March	8	18.5	13.2	46	65	55.8
April	11.1	21.8	16.5	52	71	61.5
May	15.4	26.4	20.9	60	80	69.6
June	19.9	31.6	25.8	68	89	78.4
July	23.2	34.8	29	74	95	84.2
August	23.5	34.8	29.2	74	95	84.5
September	19.9	31.6	25.8	68	89	78.4
October	15.7	27.3	21.5	60	81	70.7
November	10.4	21.5	16	51	71	60.7
December	7	16.7	11.9	45	62	53.4
Year	13.9	24.7	19.25	56.9	76.5	66.5

Average Rainfall in Turkey

The table below shows the average rainfall in Turkey each month:

Month	Millimeters	Inches	Days
January	210	8.3	13
February	115	4.5	11
March	95	3.7	10
April	65	2.6	8
May	35	1.4	7
June	10	0.4	3
July	4	0.2	1
August	5	0.2	1
September	20	0.8	3
October	75	3	6
November	150	5.9	8
December	270	10.6	12
Year	1060	41.7	84

Sunshine Hours in Turkey

The table below shows the average sunshine hours in Turkey each month:

Month	Average	Total
January	5	150
February	6	160
March	6.5	200
April	7.5	230
May	9.5	290
June	11	330
July	11	345
August	10.5	325
September	9	275
October	7.5	230
November	6	175
December	4.5	145
Year	7.9	2865

Sea Temperatures in Turkey

The table below shows the average sea temperatures in Turkey each month:

Month	Celsius (°C)	Fahrenheit (°F)
January	17	63
February	17	62
March	17	62
April	18	64
May	21	69
June	24	76
July	27	80
August	28	83
September	27	81
October	24	76
November	21	70
December	19	66
Year	21.7	71.1

What To Wear in Turkey? (Packing Tips)

It can be difficult to know what to pack for your vacation. However, there are a few things you should keep in mind when preparing for your trip.

We’ve put together some tips on what to wear in Turkey so that you can make the most of your time there.

Pack loose, breathable clothing, as the temperatures can be quite warm.
Beachwear: Don’t forget your bathing suit and towel, as you will want to take advantage of the beautiful beaches.
Hat and sunglasses: A hat and sunglasses will help you in the hot Turkish sunshine.
Comfortable shoes: be sure to pack comfortable shoes, as you will do a lot of walking.
Camera: Don’t forget to pack your camera! Turkey is full of beautiful scenery, from the beaches to the mountains, and you’ll want to be able to capture it all.
Passport: Other essential items to pack include a valid passport and any necessary visas.
Travel insurance: Make sure you have travel insurance that will cover you in case of any medical emergencies or lost baggage.
Chargers: Also, be sure to bring along any chargers and travel power adapters you’ll need for your electronic devices.
First-aid kit: It is also a good idea to pack a first-aid kit, in case of any minor injuries, and also any essential medications.

Things to Do in Turkey

There are many different things to do in Turkey, no matter what time of year you visit.

Here is a list of some of the top activities to enjoy during your stay:

Best Turkey Wedding Venues & Hotels

With so many stunning locations to choose from, how do you know which is the best wedding venue in Turkey?

Here are our picks for the top spots to tie the knot, as well as hotels to stay in:

Wedding Venues in Turkey

Ciragan Palace Kempinski in Istanbul
Pera Palace Hotel, Istanbul
Limak Lara in Antalya
Yacht Classic Hotel
BC Spa Hotel in Asiklar
Sait Halim Pasha Mansion
Four seasons, Bosphorus
Titanic Mardan Palace in Antalya
Sheraton Cesme
Macakizi Hotel

Hotels in Turkey

World Heritage Center Hotel – Istanbul
Mest Hotel Istanbul Sirkeci
The Wings Hotels Neva Palas – Ankara
Old Town Point Hotel & Spa Antalya
Mai İnci Hotel – Antalya
Akra Hotel – Antalya
Izmir Marriott Hotel
Met Boutique Hotel
Konakli Apartments Izmir

Check out the full list here: 60+ Wedding Destination around the World