Step 1Set Budget & Financing▼
12-18 months before
Set Budget & Financing▼
Based on our experience with over 500 destination weddings in Turkey, here is the timeline we recommend:
Phase 1: Dream & Research (12-18 months before)
- Set your vision: What type of wedding? Intimate (20-40 guests) or larger (50-100)?
- Budget overview: Set a total budget. Average in Turkey: 23 924 €
- Season: April-June, September-October is ideal. Shoulder season (before/after peak) is often 20-30% cheaper and venues are more available. Our clients who chose shoulder season are often equally happy - the weather is usually great!
- Deposit: Book venue/planner with 7 177 € deposit (usually 30%)
Phase 2: Key Bookings (9-12 months before)
- Wedding planner: Book a local planner (8 373 € savings through their vendor contacts)
- Venue: Secure your dream venue - popular ones in Turkey book up quickly
- Main vendors: Photographer, caterer, florist, music
- Save-the-Date: Send to guests (many need to plan flights + accommodation)
Phase 3: Details & Logistics (3-6 months before)
- Formal invitation: With detailed travel info for guests
- Hotel blocks: Reserve rooms at 2-3 price levels
- Flight info: Send recommended flights and booking tips
- Guest logistics: Plan group transport for wedding day
Phase 4: Countdown (1-3 months before)
- Confirm all vendors 2 weeks before (dates, times, payments)
- Create a day-of timeline (detailed minute-by-minute)
- Travel insurance for bridal couple + review guests' insurance
- Final payment to vendors (usually 70% remaining)
Our Expert Tip for Turkey:
The best tip we can give is to BOOK EARLY. Popular venues in Turkey are often fully booked 12+ months ahead, especially during April-June, September-October. Start your research at least 15 months before, and use your wedding planner/venue's experience - they have done this hundreds of times!
Step 2Choose Destination & Venue▼
12 months before
Choose Destination & Venue▼
Turkey offers incredible variety. The right choice depends on your style, budget and guests' needs.
Choosing the Right Destination
When choosing your destination in Turkey, consider these factors:
- Accessibility: How easy is it for guests to get there?
- Climate: What's the weather like during your preferred period?
- Budget: How do prices compare between different areas?
- Style: Does the destination match your wedding vision?
Symbolic ceremony: For symbolic ceremony it's simpler, but some areas may have specific rules.
Our Recommendation:
Visit your preferred destination before the wedding (if possible). A 3-day trip costs 8k-15k SEK but can save 50k+ SEK in dissatisfaction.
Step 3Hire a Wedding Planner▼
10-12 months before
Hire a Wedding Planner▼
A local wedding planner is your BIGGEST investment for stress-free planning in Turkey.
Cost & Value
Price: 15,000-40,000 SEK (depending on scope)
Return: Often saves 50,000+ SEK through vendor discounts and preventing mistakes
Three Levels of Services
Partial Planning (15,000-20,000 SEK)
- Recommends vendors
- Negotiates contracts
- 3-4 digital meetings
Best for: Couples who want local expertise but do a lot themselves
Full Planning (25,000-35,000 SEK)
- Everything from Partial Planning +
- Creates timeline
- Coordinates all vendors
- Unlimited communication
Best for: 85% of couples - best value
Concierge (35,000-40,000 SEK)
- Everything from Full Planning +
- Visits venues for you
- Handles ALL details
- Completely stress-free for you
Best for: Busy couples and those who want zero stress
Important:
90% of successful destination weddings have a local planner. The 10% that skip often spend 20-30% more due to mistakes and lack of local knowledge. Don't spend 100+ hours on vendor research - let your wedding planner do this!
Step 4Book Venue▼
10-12 months before
Book Venue▼
The venue is your MOST IMPORTANT booking - it sets the tone for the entire wedding and is often the biggest cost.
Budget Allocation
Venue + setup: 7 177 € (approx. 30% of total budget)
Catering (included at many venues): 5 981 € (approx. 25%)
What's Included in a Venue Package?
- Space: Venue, setup, basic decor, chairs/tables, staff, teardown
- Catering: Welcome drink, dinner, wedding cake, drinks package
- Coordination: Day-of coordinator (included at most venues in Turkey)
Venue Selection Checklist
- Capacity: Does it accommodate your guest count?
- Accommodation: Can guests stay on-site?
- Rain plan: Is there an indoor alternative?
- Sound: Are there noise restrictions (time limits)?
- Access: How do guests get there?
- Exclusivity: Do you have the entire venue to yourselves?
Our Recommendation:
Allocate 70% to what guests EXPERIENCE (venue, food, music) and 30% to what they SEE (flowers, decoration, styling). This gives the best balance of memorable experience and beautiful aesthetic.
Step 5Arrange Documentation▼
6-9 months before
Arrange Documentation▼
Documentation is the #1 cause of stress for destination weddings. Here is a complete guide for Turkey:
Type of Ceremony
Most couples choose a symbolic ceremony in Turkey and register legally in your home country.
Symbolic Ceremony (Most Popular)
- No legal requirements - complete freedom
- Choose your own officiant (friend, professional, or religious)
- Write your own vows
- Register legally in your home country before or after (simple process)
For ALL Types:
- Valid passports (minimum 6 months validity)
- Travel insurance for all guests
- Copies of all important documents in the cloud
Important:
95% of our couples choose symbolic ceremony + Swedish legal registration. This is the EASIEST and SAFEST option - zero risk of delays due to documentation!
Step 6Book Vendors▼
6-9 months before
Book Vendors▼
After the venue, the next focus is: photographer, catering, music, flowers. These create your wedding experience.
Photographer & Videographer
Budget: 2 871 € (approx. 12% of total)
- Full-day photographer (8-12 hours)
- Highlights video (3-5 min edit)
- Engagement shoot (1-2 hours, often included)
- Album and digital gallery
Tip: Photography is the ONLY thing that lasts forever. Don't save here!
Catering & Drinks
Budget: 8 373 € (approx. 35% - often included in venue)
- Welcome drinks (1 hour before ceremony)
- 3-5 course dinner (local cuisine recommended!)
- Wedding cake
- Open bar (4-6 hours)
Flowers & Styling
Budget: 1 914 € (approx. 8%)
- Bridal bouquet + boutonniere
- Table centerpieces
- Ceremony arch/backdrop
- Tip: Use local seasonal flowers - more beautiful AND cheaper!
Budget Priority:
They have established relationships and can often get 10-15% discounts. Plus, vendors they recommend are pre-vetted for quality and reliability.
Step 7Plan Guest Logistics▼
4-6 months before
Plan Guest Logistics▼
Guest logistics are critical for destination weddings. Smooth transportation and accommodation = happy guests.
Flight Information
- Flight time: 3,5-4,5 timmar from your home country
- Best time to book: 4-6 months before for best prices
- Tip: Create a shared spreadsheet with recommended flights
Accommodation Strategy
- Block booking: Reserve rooms at 2-3 price levels
- Negotiate: 15-25% group discount for 10+ rooms
- Deadline: Set a booking deadline 3 months before
Transport on Wedding Day
Budget: 478 € (approx. 2%)
- Group bus hotel → venue → hotel
- Book 2 departures (before ceremony + late evening)
- Consider shuttle service for larger groups
Guest Communication
Couples who send out a professional "Guest Guide PDF" 5 months before report significantly fewer logistics questions.
- Weather information and packing list
- Recommended flights and hotels
- Local tips (restaurants, activities)
- Wedding schedule and dress code
- Emergency contacts
Our Recommendation:
Invest 2-3 hours in creating a comprehensive guide - it will save you 20+ hours of answering individual questions from guests!
Step 8Finalize & Travel▼
1-3 months before
Finalize & Travel▼
The last months are about confirming details, finalizing payments, and preparing for the big day.
3 Months Before
- Confirm final numbers with hotels & transport (1 month before)
- Send detailed timeline to all guests
- Final fitting for wedding attire
- Confirm menu selection with caterer
1 Month Before
- Final payment to all vendors
- Confirm all bookings (venue, photographer, florist, music)
- Create seating chart
- Prepare tips/gratuities for staff
1 Week Before
- Create a "Day-Before Checklist" and review with your wedding planner the day before
- Pack ceremony items (rings, vows, marriage certificate)
- Confirm arrival times with all vendors
- Time for venue inspection, vendor meetings, jet-lag recovery, relaxation
Wedding Day Timeline
- Morning: Hair/makeup, getting ready photos
- Ceremony: Usually 16:00-17:00 (best light for photos)
- Cocktail hour: 17:00-18:00
- Dinner: 18:00-20:00
- First dance + party: 20:00-02:00
Budget: Final Costs
Expected extras: 2 871 € (approx. 10-15% of total)
- Tips for service staff (5-10%)
- Last-minute additions
- Welcome dinner for arriving guests
- After-party/brunch the day after
Our Final Advice:
What truly matters is that you marry the love of your life surrounded by the people you love most. The planning might feel overwhelming at times, but Turkey will provide an unforgettable backdrop. Trust your planner, enjoy the process, and remember: every wedding is perfect when the couple is happy!
Important Tips to Keep in Mind
📄Legally valid marriage
Weddings in Turkey performed by Turkish authorities are internationally legally valid. You will need a Certificate of No Impediment from your home country, apostilled and translated into Turkish. The process typically takes 3-5 working days on site.
💡Health certificate required
Turkish law requires both parties to undergo a medical examination and blood test at a state hospital before the wedding. This includes HIV, hepatitis, and syphilis tests.
☀️Best time to visit
April-June and September-October offer perfect weather (22-30°C). Avoid July-August when temperatures often exceed 40°C along the coast. Cappadocia has more comfortable temperatures even in summer.
💡Cost & value
Turkey offers exceptional value compared to other Mediterranean countries. Everything from venue and catering to flowers often costs 30-50% less than in Italy or Greece, without compromising on quality.