Capturing romance in sunset photo shoots on Istanbul's Golden Horn
By day, it's easy to overlook. But as evening nears, it transforms into one of the city's most sought-after stages for romance.
Starting in spring and continuing through summer, soon-to-be wed and newlywed couples flock to this unassuming spot in Eminonu district to immortalize their nuptials in radiant, and often highly choreographed, sunset photo shoots.
The spot is so popular, a dozen brides and grooms can often be seen posing side by side, each basking in a sliver of the sunset glow. At peak hours, a traffic jam of couples forms on the stairs leading to the waterside overlook, waiting for their turn.
'There's no place in Istanbul we haven't visited, we both love it,' said 22-year-old Elif Yuksel, standing next to her fiance, Semih Aydin. 'That's why we wanted to be photographed somewhere we could see every corner of Istanbul.'
The setting sun casts its light just right during what's known as 'golden hour,' a coveted time for photographers and videographers who frame their shots against the backdrop of the medieval Galata Tower and the Ottoman imperial mosque, Suleymaniye, the city's second largest.
It's a fitting setting for newlyweds like Hasret Yilmaz Ucucu and her husband, Halil Ibrahim Ucucu, who had tied the knot shortly before their shoot.
'I went to the hairdresser and got ready there. Then my husband came and picked me up and we went to our wedding ceremony. Afterward (our photographer) brought us here with great excitement,' said the 24-year-old bride.
For many couples, the snapshots are more than keepsakes — they symbolize moments in time when love, tradition and the centuries-old city's enduring splendor intertwine.
'I've been to London, I've been to Barcelona. There's no place like Istanbul,' said Semih Aydin, who was taking engagement pictures with his soon-to-be wife. "Let's take beautiful photos, let's make beautiful memories to show our children in the future.''
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Daily Mail
28 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Bridal couple blasted for 'gross' and 'delusional' email to wedding guests ahead of the big day: 'This reeks of narcissist'
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Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
The latest trend for newlyweds is... renewing your vows! How barely married celeb couples are going down the aisle AGAIN in unusual trend
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Despite the alleged tensions, Nicola and Brooklyn aren't the only high-profile couple to publicly share news of their re-commitment to one another. Nicola Peltz and Brooklyn Beckham The loved-up couple decided to say 'I do' all over again on August 2 at the heiress family's estate in Westchester County, in what Brooklyn described as 'a really beautiful experience'. The 26-year-old admitted some days after the private ceremony he'd happily do it 'every single day' if he could and it was a 'really cute memory' they'd treasure forever. Nicola, 30, was by his side as they exchanged longer vows than their original wedding, a detail Brooklyn confessed may cause a problem for his already inked tribute. Speaking to People he said: 'It was beautiful. We just wanted a really beautiful experience - a really cute memory. 'To be honest, I could renew my vows every single day with her. 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Hailey Baldwin and Justin Bieber The superstar couple - who tied the knot in 2018 - also opted to reaffirm their love in a private ceremony in 2024, news which was shared in a video announcement of their first pregnancy. The model and businesswoman took to her Instagram to share a moving video of their intimate ceremony held in Hawaii - with a very noticeable bump. In addition to revealing the baby bump, both expectant parents also showcased newly acquired wedding bands. Baldwin's previous wedding bands, a set of pavé diamond circlets, beautifully encircled her oval-cut engagement ring, gracefully contouring its shape. Her latest addition to her jewellery collection is a timeless diamond infinity band, exuding simplicity and elegance. Justin sported a matching band, creating a romantic and coordinated gesture between the couple. Tiffany revealed they were responsible for the couple's Forever bands, which feature a full circle of diamonds. However, her original $600,000 engagement ring has since appeared to have moved to her little finger of her other hand. In the video, Baldwin dons a flowing, lacy white dress as the camera zooms in on her blossoming baby bump, with Justin embracing her from behind and gently resting his hands on her belly. For the occasion, the expectant mother donned an ethereal white lace dress from Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello. She complemented the refined ensemble with a custom lace headscarf, elegantly enveloping her hair and delicately winding around her neck. To complete the look with a touch of glamour, she adorned herself with black Saint Laurent sunglasses. The couple's pregnancy arrives almost six years following the couple's courthouse wedding in New York City in September 2018, swiftly following their engagement by only two months. To commemorate their bond, they exchanged vows for a second time a year later in an extravagant wedding ceremony held in South Carolina. Justin and Hailey's special ceremony was led by their pastor Judah Smith. Smith took over as Bieber's pastor after the pop star distanced himself from his previous spiritual guide, Carl Lentz, when it was revealed he'd cheated on his wife, per TMZ. Heidi Klum and Seal The super model and the British singer made a habit of renewing their vows, turning it in to an annual - and themed - tradition. Despite first marrying in 2005 on a beach in Mexico with 40 loved ones present, the pair went on to say their vows to each other seven more times during their marriage. Each event became more elaborate - with one year deemed 'bride and grooms' while another was titled 'white trash' by an outlet at the time. Said ceremony was led by an Elvis impersonator while Klum wore a white lace jumpsuit with braided hair. Seal donned a leather jacket with an American flag painted over it and a mullet wig. Another year saw a Hindu ceremony where Klum wore a traditional red lehenga and their last renewal before their split in 2012, held at Donald Trump 's private club in Palm Beach, Florida, was titled a 'masquerade'. Klum told Redbook back in 2010: 'It's our time – a lovely family time. It's about remembering this moment of love we gave to each other and reinforcing it.' And she said the couple's four children had grown accustomed to the event: 'It's like, "Hey, Mom and Dad love each other and they get married every year."' 'It just keeps you focused. It reminds you why you got married — not that we need any reminding,' Seal told Oprah in a joint interview with his Project Runway host wife. But in 2015, he told Andy Cohen that the renewals were his 'ex-wife's idea' and 'it kind of turned into a little bit of a circus, which I wasn't terribly fond of because, by default, I'm quite a private person.' Klum went on to tell The Sunday Times: 'I thought it would be kind of, like, fun. I thought it would be a fest of love. But you know, that doesn't work either. I tried, you can't say I didn't try!' Beyoncé and Jay-Z The music power couple have also opted for several vowel renewals during their marriage. The pair first renewed their vows four years into their marriage in a 'moving' midnight ceremony to commemorate the anniversary of their wedding in 2008, which was held at Jay-Z's 13,500-sq.-ft. Manhattan penthouse. Two years later, there were reports that they said their vows once more on a family trip to Corsica that coincided with the 'Crazy in Love' singer's 33rd birthday. This ceremony was said to come after rumours of marriage issues and was an attempt to 'wipe the slate clean'. First rumours of cracks began to widen following the 2014 Met Gala, when now infamous footage leaked of an an altercation between Beyoncé's little sister Solange and Jay-Z. Beyoncé's monumental 2016 album Lemonade laid out all her insecurities about unfaithfulness, lamenting 'what a wicked way to treat the girl that loves you', and introducing the phantom of Becky With The Good Hair. Meanwhile Jay-Z's next record 4:44 — dubbed 'the apology album' — seen him admit to womanising, and realising it almost cost him his family. A source told Grazia: 'They were joined on a private beach by Beyoncé's mum Tina, their daughter Blue Ivy and a small group of close friends and recited a new set of vows during a short but very romantic ceremony, which doubled up as a birthday celebration. 'The small wedding party celebrated with drinks and food made by the couple's private chef. Afterwards, they rented a luxury $500,000 a yacht to cruise around Italy, which they have been calling their second honeymoon. 'From now on, they intend to mark the day of the ceremony as their new wedding anniversary and have told friends they are focusing firmly on their future together.' Then again in 2018, the couple appeared to reaffirm their love for each other to mark 10 years of their marriage. Footage was played in at one of their shows for their On The Road II tour which appeared to show the power couple reciting their vows with Beyoncé dressed in white. The theme of the tour — a follow up from their original joint run in 2014 — was 'This Is Real Love', an assured declaration that their marriage is now on Roc solid ground. Hidden among the montage, which was set to their rendition of Forever Young, was a clip of the intimate setting, attended by one-year-old twins Rumi and Sir, as well as older sister, six-year-old Blue Ivy. According to sources, it was 'a very emotional and really spiritual' soirée attended by Destinys Child stars Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams as well as formerly married stars Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin. Khloé Kardashian and Lamar Odom One year in to their rocky marriage, the reality TV star and her NBA husband decided to celebrate their anniversary by renewing their vows in 2010. Held in the exact spot where they originally got married, the vows were a surprise to Kardashian as she was 'blindfolded' and brought to the 'romantic' spot. The then-26-year-old wrote on her blog: 'I can only think of one word to describe my anniversary 'Lamar's big surprise (well one of many surprises) was the renewal of our vows! How romantic is that?! Everything was planned perfectly and I could not have been more surprised. 'Malika blindfolded me and brought me to a "secret location", I literally had NO idea where we were going. When we arrived, the car door opened and Lamar took my hand and led me to the spot where we were married one year ago. 'He removed the blindfold and I was just speechless -- I was beyond in shock. I knew he had a few fun surprises up his sleeve but I never could have anticipated this. I have never been more obsessed with my husband.' She added: 'A year ago today I married my best friend. 'I have never been happier, never been so at peace, never been so in love. 'I am a better person because of Lamar. He brings so much laughter, happiness and fun to my life yet he also keeps me calm and grounded.' Despite the sweet gesture, the couple split three years later after constant rumours of Odom's infidelity and substance abuse issues. Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel The actress, 43, and the singer, 44, have also partaken in the vowel renewal trend, with a shot of their ceremony shared on their 10th wedding anniversary. The couple first tied the knot back in 2012 in Italy, and share two sons - Silas, 10, and Phineas, five - together. Biel took to Instagram to share share a slew of snaps of her and Timberlake together, including one from the renewal, where she wore a voluminous white dress adorned with a black bow. Justin pulled a funny face in a cream linen suit, while Jessica threw a peace sign, and captioned the shot: 'From our vow renewal this summer - in Italy where it all went down'. Posting to her grid, Jessica wrote: 'Being married to you is the adventure of a lifetime! Run it back, baby. RUN IT BACK. I love you'. The former NSYNC member wrote a sentimental note in the caption: '10 years ain't enough! You make me a better husband and father every day! I love you so much you beautiful human! Run it back!' While on Today with Hoda & Jenna, Biel said: 'It was very intimate. It was very small, a couple of our friends, and we literally barely put this thing together. 'We almost canceled it. We thought, "This is silly, are we going to feel goofy doing this?" And actually it was so moving. I felt like, "Wow, we're going to keep doing this. Look at us!" It felt really nice.' Jessica first started dating Justin in 2007, five years after the bitter collapse of his headline-grabbing relationship with Britney Spears. Justin and Jessica briefly split in 2011 but quickly reunited, and the following year they made it down the aisle in a ceremony in southern Italy. Their marriage, however, fell under searing scrutiny in November 2019 when Justin was spotted at a New Orleans bar holding hands with actress Alisha Wainwright. The pair were enjoying their off-hours from shooting a move called Palmer when the public display of affection occurred. Justin issued an Instagram apology for his 'strong lapse in judgement,' explaining that he 'drank way too much that night and I regret my behaviour.' In January 2020, an Us Weekly source claimed they were in therapy and that Justin was 'trying his hardest to prove himself' to his wife.
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Jake Paul left ‘crying' as brother Logan marries Nina Agdal in stunning ceremony before boxer smashes up wedding cake
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