Wedding | Lilia & Emre

Tell us a little about yourselves!

Our love story started in Berlin. It was intentional from the beginning — we knew what we were looking for and didn’t hesitate to move forward when it felt right. After two weeks, the relationship officially began. Eleven months later, we got engaged at sunrise on the beach at the Setai in Miami — a magical and intimate moment that felt both still and powerful.

Why did you decide to get married where you did?

We always believed in true love and a traditional family. By getting to know God better during our relationship, we were able to commit more quickly and had more clarity for ourselves.

Even though we had been talking about our wedding for a while, we booked our appointment at the registry office just fourteen days before the ceremony. The original plan was to celebrate with a big wedding six months later. What began as “just the two of us and our closest loved ones” quickly turned into a dinner, then a celebration — and, in the end, our dream wedding, planned in only two weeks.

The ceremony took place in the chapel at Standesamt Neukölln, where Emre’s parents were also married — a beautiful connection that made the moment even more meaningful. For the reception, we chose Hotel Adlon — a space that brought quiet elegance and intimacy to a day that came together so naturally, and so beautifully.

We wanted to capture the atmosphere of a Mediterranean outdoor wedding — in the middle of winter, in the heart of Berlin.

Looking back, it felt crazy to plan our dream wedding in just two weeks. At the same time, we felt God’s hand guiding us.

How many guests did you have?

We celebrated with 50 guests – a very intimate group of close family, their kids and dear friends.

What was your budget? 

We set a flexible budget, prioritising quality over quantity. We didn’t want any unnecessary extras – we invested in a few key elements that truly mattered to us, like photography, the locations, and our outfits.

Tell us about your outfits.

We got ready separately and spent the night before apart — staying true to tradition. We hadn’t seen each other’s outfits beforehand, so the moment we saw each other for the first time — as Lilia walked in with her father, through the chapel doors — was incredibly emotional and one of the most unforgettable moments of our lives.

Though Lilia had planned to search for her dress abroad, she unexpectedly found the perfect gown at NENÈE in Berlin – a unique piece by Sophie et Voilà, known for their architectural simplicity and refined elegance. It was exactly what she had imagined: timeless, graceful, and quietly striking. She wore it with a dramatic, floor-length tulle veil that could be pulled over her face — creating a soft, almost mysterious moment as she entered — and delicate lace sleeves that added a romantic contrast to the clean silhouette of the dress.

Emre wore a classic black tuxedo — timeless, elegant, understated, and completed with a black bow tie.

What was the most important aspect for you, in terms of planning your wedding?

When planning the wedding, we let ourselves be guided entirely by feeling. Every decision had to feel like a clear yes — if there was even the slightest doubt, it was a no. That mindset helped us stay true to what really mattered and created a day that felt completely aligned with us.

Were there any elements that were important for you to incorporate?

We wanted to bring together the cultures that define us: Turkish, Russian, and German. We included traditional Turkish Halay dances, celebrated with Russian music, and brought it all together in a timeless and refined atmosphere. 

Any tips for couples getting married?

Don’t get lost in unnecessary details — focus on the feeling you want to create. That’s what people remember.And if there’s one thing worth investing in, it’s your photographer and videographer. These are the memories you’ll carry with you for a lifetime. 

Creating a mood board helped define the visual direction early on — and made it much easier to find photographers and videographers who truly matched that vision.

Are there any vendors that you would like to tell us a little more about?

Our photographer, Fanni Hermán was by our side the entire day, calm, present, and always with a sense for the right moment. We felt completely at ease with her and are beyond thrilled with the images. One of the reasons we chose her was her use of analogue photography — combined with an eye for detail and aesthetics that deeply resonated with Lilia’s own sense of visual beauty.

Franzi from Atelier Flora stepped in on short notice and created the most incredible gluten-free, vegan, and refined sugar–free cake — perfectly aligned with our values and aesthetic. We trusted her blindly, as we weren’t able to taste it beforehand, and it exceeded every expectation. Not only was it visually stunning, but it was so delicious that our guests had no idea it was made with such mindful ingredients.

Photographer: Fanni Hermán @fanni_herman | Planning: Katharina Bonnemeier from Hotel Adlon Kempinski @hoteladlonkempinski | Videographer: Melih Sunday @melih.sunday | Ceremony Location: Standesamt Neukölln, Berlin | Reception Location: Wintergarten Hotel Adlon Kempinski, Berlin @hoteladlonkempinski | | Reception Flora: Adlon Flower Atelier & Boutique 

@hoteladlonkempinski | Bridal Bouquet: Marsano Berlin @marsanoberlin | Hair: (Bride) Hair by Ceyda @hairbyceyda & (Groom) Fade Club Berlin @fadeclubberlin | Cake: Atelier Flora @atelier__flora | Entertainment: Dj KeyG | Dress: Sophie et Voilà @sophieetvoilabridal from NENÈE @nenee_berlin | Suit: Becon Berlin | Shirt: Stenströms (Kadewe) | Bow Tie: Suit Supply | Rings: Bucherer | Shoes: (Bride) Jimmy Choo @jimmychoo & (Groom) Suit Supply @suitsupply