We skipped out on the Queen’s Jubilee and spent the long bank holiday weekend in Istanbul.  While I wanted to celebrate with the Queen, Gokhan and Merve were getting married!

A year ago, we were in Istanbul when Gokhan decided to propose.  A year later, they are celebrating with three weddings: a traditional wedding in Merve’s hometown, one in Gokhan’s, and a party for their friends in Istanbul.

I landed late Saturday night, and went straight to Reina.  No trip to Istanbul is complete without at least one night at Reina.  It is such a fabulous club – amazing setting, great people and good music.

When I got back to the hotel (5am Sunday morning), Kudah had landed and just arrived at the hotel!  Needless to say, we all slept in Sunday, and then spent the afternoon lunching and having drinks at 360, an amazing roof terrace.  This was followed by a boat ride on the Bosphorus and dinner at Earth Cafe and drinks at Angeliqe in Ortakoy.

Monday was the big day.  We spent the morning with one of Kudah’s classmates, eating some tranditional turkish food.  Then it was time for the wedding.  We had an adventure finding the venue, as it required finding a private boat to ferry us to the Asian side.

We arrived at the deck to find this gorgeous, outdoor wedding venue.  Everything was perfect- gorgeous venue, good food and drinks, and amazing friends.  We mingled, while waiting for the bride and groom to arrive.  The ceremony was beautiful but short, and was followed by beer, wine and shots along with some fun dancing.