Cihangir, Istanbul, Turkey Elopement Photo Story Award

Cihangir, Istanbul, Turkey wedding photo showing the bride helping the groom prepare by fastening his boutonniere

The bride helped the groom prepare for their small wedding by pinning a boutonniere to his lapel, a special touch for the special day

Before the group photoshoot and couple portrait session, the bride helps the groom prepare by fastening a boutonniere to his lapel as he watches.

When Zarmina and her mother went to Istanbul, Turkey on a holiday from California in the United States, they met Ahmed, who is from Syria. From that moment on, the couple kept their relationship going for years over the internet. When at last they decided to get married, they chose to have a small and humble Islamic wedding in Istanbul, where they met. Some of their family members and guests from Pakistan and Syria traveled to Istanbul to celebrate with the couple, who went back to America together after they were married. 

An AirBnb Apartment wedding photo of a A traditional Muslim ceremony with the Imam calculating the amount of gold for the bride

An AirBnb Apartment, Cihangir, Istanbul, Turkey Elopement Photos | A traditional Muslim wedding with the Imam calculating the amount of gold

Before this traditional Muslim wedding ceremony can take place, the Imam, who sits on the left wearing a white hat, calculates the amount of gold necessary in the case of divorce.

Istanbul, Turkey wedding photo of the bride smiling as she looks at the groom

Istanbul, Turkey Elopement Image of the Imam | the bride smiles as she looks at the groom

Once the Imam has performed the estimate of the bride’s value in gold, the bride smiles as she looks at the groom. She seems to be satisfied with the amount the groom would have to pay if he ever wanted to separate from her.

Muslim wedding image of the Imam describing the rules and traditions of Muslim marriages in Istanbul, Turkey

Istanbul, Turkey Muslim Elopement Detail Picture | the Imam describes the rules and traditions of Muslim marriages

As the Imam describes the rules and traditions of Muslim marriages and ceremonies, the couple and their guests sit together and listen with their hands on their knees.

Istanbul wedding image from During the ceremony of the prayers

Istanbul, Turkey Elopement Ceremony Photography | During the ceremony, the prayers begin, and the couple and their guests turn their hands up

During the ceremony, the prayers begin, and the couple and their guests turn their hands up toward the sky as they all listen and repeat the words of the Imam.

Bosporus Sea wedding ring Ceremony photo - The couple decided they wanted to exchange rings in front of the Sea in Turkey

Bosporus Sea Elopement Ceremony Image | The couple decided they wanted to exchange rings in front of the Bosporus Sea in Turkey

The couple decided they wanted to exchange rings in front of the Bosporus Sea, so the bride places the wedding band on the groom as the two of them stand by the water.

Galata Bridge of Istanbul, Turkey - wedding portrait of the couple standing together under the Bridge

Galata Bridge, Galata, Istanbul, Turkey Elopement Portrait | The couple stands together under the Bridge of Galata in the center of the old town

The couple stands together under the Bridge of Galata in the center of the old town. As the two of them look out at the sea, behind them we can see the historic Yeni Mosque, which is 355 years old.

Istanbul, Turkey wedding picture from After the ceremony of all the guests gather around a table of food

Istanbul, Turkey Elopement Party Picture | After the ceremony, all the guests gather around a modest table

After the ceremony, all the guests gather around a modest table to enjoy some appetizers together.

Istanbul wedding photo from an at-Home reception of the bride’s mom talking to her new son-in-law

Istanbul Elopement Home Party Photo | the bride’s mom pulls her new son-in-law aside to give him her well-wishes

As guests enjoy the appetizers and prepare for the group photoshoot, the bride’s mom pulls her new son-in-law aside to give him her well-wishes.