Wedding | Sila & Deniz

Tell us a little about yourselves!

We're Sila and Deniz. I am a creative researcher and a fashion model and Deniz leads export sales. We met ten years ago as mining engineering students as friends first, but life had different plans for us. Fast forward to today, we share our life together with three cats: Dany, Jagu, and Mimi.

Why did you decide to get married where you did?

We chose Feriye, a 160 year old Ottoman palace, for its iconic location overlooking the Bosphorus. The atmosphere felt warm and instantly right once we visited, the decision was easy.

How many guests did you have?

Coming from a Turkish culture built around large, close-knit communities, it was a 250-guest wedding with family and friends. Everyone there was someone we knew and loved deeply.

What was your budget?

Well, let's say we ended up going over what we planned!

Tell us about your outfits.

Deniz wanted a classic tuxedo, which made his process quite simple. I, on the other hand, worked closely with the local brand Project Bridal, whose modern designs and collaborative spirit immediately drew me in. They brought my vision to life with great sensitivity, creating a custom-designed, made-to-measure dress that felt truly personal.

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

Not overthinking it and staying grounded! We really wanted the planning process to feel calm rather than overwhelming. And we tried to make decisions intuitively instead of obsessing over details. In the end, that mindset carried through to the day itself, we stayed relaxed and fully present right up until the very last moment.

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

As a couple from Istanbul, where cats are truly part of everyday life, our own cats are naturally the center of our world. Including them felt essential, so we had them illustrated on our invitations. Having them with us on the day would have been a dream, but our cats hate crowds unfortunately!

Any tips for couples getting married?

Don't dramatize, just romanticize!

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

It would be impossible not to mention our Photo & Video and Hair & Makeup teams, Easthaus and Jonat's. Beyond their impeccable taste, they made the entire day feel like we were hanging out with close friends rather than just working with vendors. And of course, Oğulcan Özkan, easily the most chill team ever, both stylish and highly professional.

Photographer & Videographer: Easthaus @easthaus.co | Planning: Oğulcan Ozkan Events @ogulcanozkanevent | Flora: Oğulcan Ozkan Events @ogulcanozkanevent | Ceremony Location: Feriye @feriyeistanbul | HMUA: Jonats @jonatscoutureofficial | Ceremony & Reception Dresses: The Project Bridal @project.bridal | Suit: Damat @damattween | Shoes: Divarese @divareseonline