The doors to the mosque were opened just a few moments before the Nikkah (muslim ceremony) started and it all happened so quick. Malaika along with her brothers walked up the steps to the Ortakoy Mosque, quickly removed their shoes and were led into the most beautiful, bright, well lit ceremony I have ever laid my eyes on. There was no chance for a pre scout, everything was documented quickly and as it happened. There were multiple times where I kept whispering to myself “what is my life” and then quickly snapping back to reality. What a trip!
When inside a Mosque all are required to remove their shoes, women are required to wear a head covering, and women and men are required to sit on opposite sides of the room. The nikkah started and ended as fast as I caught my breath and then we were pretty much kicked out because it was time for morning prayer.
On the second day, Malaika and Ahmed celebrated their Mehndi and Shaadi at the Sait Halim Pasa Yasili Mansion. It's a historic building along the Bosphorus River - dating back to the 19th century - and once owned by an Egyptian Prince. The regality of this venue was otherworldly and I couldn’t help but imagine what life was like during the Ottoman era.
On the final day of festivities, for their Walima, the couple welcomed their guests aboard a private yacht where they sailed along the Bosphorus river, admiring the bridges and all the Ottoman-era homes along the water’s edge.