LILLY
&
ALP
August 30th, 2025
August 30th, 2025
Welcome Cocktail
Friday - August 29th, 2025
9 pm - Midnight
The Peninsula Istanbul
Rooftop Herb Garden
We would love to welcome you to Istanbul with a celebratory cocktail by the Bosphorus — a little sneak peek of the joy and beauty to come. Please join us at The Peninsula Istanbul for a refreshing drink, light bites, and heartfelt hellos as we kick off the weekend together.
We can’t wait to toast your arrival!
DRESS CODE
Kindly note there is a slight breeze by the Bosphorus so please bring a shawl or jacket to make sure you are warm. Additionally, in the Herb Garden there is grass and gravel present so we would advise guests to wear comfortable shoes.
Ceremony
Saturday, August 30th, 2025
18.00 - 04.00
Çırağan Palace
Our wedding will take place at the storied Çırağan Palace, a symbol of love and celebration. Built by Sultan Abdülaziz for his wife, the palace earned its name from her legendary soirées — she would adorn the waterfront terrace with hundreds of lanterns, so much so that passing boats began calling it “Çırağan”, derived from the Farsi word چراغان (cherāghān) meaning “full of light.” A fitting tribute to the night we’ll share together.
In celebration of our Persian and Turkish roots, we will begin the evening with cocktails followed by the Sofreh Aghd, a traditional Iranian wedding ceremony. Afterwards, we’ll enjoy dinner along the Bosphorus and dance under the stars until sunrise.
THE ESSENTIALS
Hotel Suggestions
Istanbul is sprawling, electric, and full of life — with hotels and Airbnbs in just about every neighborhood. For convenience (and to skip the traffic headaches), we suggest staying near the wedding venue and the heart of the city.
Rides & Transfers
Hailing a cab or reserving an Uber can be a challenge, especially during peak weekend hours. But we’ve teamed up with our friends at Istanbul Tour Studio to make sure you have smooth transfers to and from hotels, as well as around the city. They’ll take care of all your transportation needs!
If you prefer to use a taxi hailing or ride sharing app your best bet would be…
BiTaksi – Regular old taxi hailing app.
Martı – This is primarily a scooter and moped rental app but they have now introduced TAG which works similarly to Uber. You can also ride behind someone on a motorcycle but please be mindful that Istanbul traffic can be dangerous!
Uber
Hair & Makeup
If you feel like pampering yourself or getting something extra for the wedding, reach out to Erdem Kıramer, Nişantaşı and Hande Haluk, Zorlu Center for fabulous hairdos, expert makeup and mani/pedi sessions. We’ve already had a chat with them, and they’ll be waiting for your calls or texts. Since this is one of Istanbul’s most renowned spots, it’s best to book an appointment well in advance..
Erdem Kıramer Nişantaşı
IG @eerdemkiramer_nisantasi
Mim Kemal Öke Cad. No:23/A, Nişantaşı, İstanbul
+90 212 246 71 55
Hande Haluk, Zorlu Center
IG @handehaluk
Zorlu Center AVM, Köprü Katı, Levazım
+90 444 48 27
Alp + Lilly's
ISTANBUL GUIDE
From iconic landmarks to hidden gems, this is your go-to guide for exploring the city we love. Whether it’s your first time or a return visit, let Istanbul surprise you with its charm, chaos, beauty, and flavor.
The Istanbul Edit
To make things easier, we made a custom Google Map with all our favorite spots that we listed here and included the descriptions in the notes section of those pins so you have everything handy.
Just download it before your flight and you’ll have everything at your fingertips, with or without Wi-Fi.
QUICK GUIDE
"If You Only Do One Thing…"
One View
Take the Bosphorus ferry at sunset or dinner on the terrace at 29
One Breakfast
Turkish breakfast at Mangerie
One Lunch
Pandeli
One Dinner
Karaköy Lokantası
One Landmark
Hagia Sofia or Basilica Cistern or Dolmabahce
One Museum
Istanbul Modern
One Treat
Pistachio wet baklava from Karaköy Güllüoğlu
Celebration Starts Now
We put together a crash course playlist of Turkish and Iranian songs — the ones we grew up with, danced to, and will definitely be playing at the wedding. Throw it on while packing, sipping wine, or pretending to work. It is a cheat sheet so when the dance floor calls, your hips wont be lying.
Gifting
We feel incredibly lucky to be surrounded by so much love, and your presence at our wedding is the only gift we could ask for.
But if you feel moved to give something, we’d be touched for a copy of your favorite book. The kind you return to again and again. Inside, just leave us a note on the first page - your thoughts, a memory, a wish, anything you’d like to share.
Reading together has always been one of our favorite rituals - especially on quiet weekends in parks around London. Over the years, our favorite gift to give one another is a book - always with a note inside.
Now, we’d love to begin our family library with yours. A collection of beloved reads, each representing someone we love. Every time we pull out a book, we’ll get to revisit your message and remember the joy of sharing this moment with you.