CEYLAN & AYTAN – TURKISH WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY AT HYLANDS HOUSE, CHELMSFORD
When Ceylan and Aytan got in touch with me again to ask me to be their wedding photographer, I did a little happy dance! I had met them around a year before when I photographed their Turkish engagement event, that you can see here. It was such a fun day and they were both so lovely that I honestly felt very honoured they wanted me again to capture their wedding this time.
The wedding planning process with them was very enjoyable and easy for me, our chats and meetings really got me excited about the big day, and when it finally arrived, it was simply EPIC. I keep wonderful memories from the whole experience, and it made me so happy to know Ceylan and Aytan loved it too, they wrote a very kind testimonial that you can read here.
Here you have the behind the scene stories, some of my favourite photos from the day, a sweet slideshow video at the end and the list of wedding vendors, if it helps for your own wedding planning 😉
The day started with the bride and groom arriving to the wedding venue, the stunning Hylands House in Chelmsford, so we could do a couple photo shoot before their ceremony and before any guests arrived. It was possibly the hottest wedding that I have ever, ever done! We had clear blue skies and a very hard sun, it was a proper summer wedding. We carried on with the photo shoot in front of the beautiful venue entrance and moved indoors when we felt we were actually starting to melt!
Luckily, every corner in this venue is just plain gorgeous and so perfect for photos, both indoors and outdoors, an actual dream for any wedding photographer. We tried to cool down a bit and spent some time shooting in the stairs, where the light was almost as magical as the connection between the bride and groom.
The bride and groom had some private time for themselves waiting in the bridal suite while the guests arrived. The registry ceremony then took place in the beautifully restored neo-baroque Banqueting room, with 24 carat gold leaf and scroll decorations, silk lined walls and hand painted wall motifs. There was a singer playing the guitar and you could feel the excitement and anticipation in the faces of all the happy guests and the happy groom.
Their wedding vows were so heartfelt and beautiful, I got a bit emotional behind my camera and thought how amazing it was that I get to call this my job, being invited to photograph love stories like theirs…
After the ceremony, we headed outside again to find somewhere in the shade for the family photos. How lovely are the bridesmaids?! Such a fun group of girls, and what about those coral bridesmaid dresses? The best color for a summer wedding theme, and perfectly matching the wedding flowers by Burgeon Floral Design.
During the cocktail hour, while the bride and groom were having something to eat and drink and were being hugged and congratulated by all their guests, I found a few minutes to go inside the marquee where the rest of the day would continue, to take some photos of the venue décor, the wedding cake, and all the details.
The room looked bright, summery and romantic with the yellow, orange, pink, coral and white summer theme that Ceylan had envisioned. Wonderful job by the catering and decorating team at Grand Palace Banqueting and the wedding cake by Cake cuisine!
Before the sun went down and while guests made their way to the marquee, we went for a little stroll around the gardens – thankfully the weather was also a bit cooler!
On our second couple photo shoot, we got some beautiful natural photos of Ceylan and Aytan just being themselves and looking absolutely crazy for each other. These two are the real deal, you guys!
Also, just a quick note to appreciate the work by Pip Hair Art on the bridal hairstyle, and Annalingis on the bridal makeup. Ceylan looked amazing head to toe.
It was time to finally join their friends and family and make their entrance as husband and wife. Following the Turkish wedding tradition, Ceylan and Aytan walked in preceded by drums and their bridesmaids, and walked around the dance floor three times.
Their first dance was to Elvis’ Can’t help falling in love, because you just can’t go wrong with a classic, right? 🙂
Then, everyone jumped to the dance floor and the dancing didn’t really stop until the end. Ceylan’s sister even had a money gun, how fun was that?!
Aytan gave his groom speech while everyone enjoyed the delicious Turkish food. His beautiful words to his new wife made it so clear to see how proud he is to have her and how much he is devoted to making her happy.
What a lovely bunch of happy people! I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, there’s no party like a Turkish wedding party!
After cake cutting, there were a couple more Turkish wedding traditions, like the money pot dance, where the bride and the girls, and then the groom, dance around holding a clay pot full of sweets that the bride then smashes into the floor… that’s when all the kids go crazy!
And with that, and plenty more dancing, this incredible wedding day came to an end!
Dear Ceylan and Aytan,
What an amazing experience it has been for me to be beside you in such an important moment of your lives, to witness your engagement and then you finally becoming husband and wife.
It really has been an honour to get to know you and be there for you, and I thank you for your trust and for always supporting my work.
I wish you all the happiness in the world.
Lots of love,
Ana x
List of wedding vendors:
- Wedding Venue: Hylands House – Hylands Estate
- Wedding Cake: Cake cuisine
- Flowers: Burgeon Floral Design
- Catering and Decor: Grand Palace Banqueting
- Wedding Car: Wedding cars of Herts
- Bride’s Hair Stylist: Pip Hair Art
- Bride’s Make-up Artist: Annalingis
- Wedding Dress: Choppy Cut exclusive boutique
- Band: Ritim Müzik
- Turkish Music Entertainment – Zaffa: Davul Zurna – Ahenkli
- Wedding Videography: Salih Karakis
- Singer: Andreas Liberos
If you are looking for a Turkish wedding photographer, or for a female wedding photographer, I would love to hear from you! Please get in touch and tell me about your wedding plans 🙂
Thank you for reading,
Ana x
