Tom & Tarlan
A Magical Persian Wedding at Amanruya, Bodrum
A multi-day destination wedding filled with Persian traditions, beautiful design and unforgettable celebrations on the Turkish Riviera.
When Tom and Tarlan approached us just a few months before their wedding, we knew we had an exciting challenge ahead. With a short planning timeline and a vision for a beautiful, multi-day Persian wedding celebration in Bodrum, we immediately got to work bringing their ideas to life.
Tarlan had already fallen in love with Amanruya, one of Bodrum's most beautiful luxury resorts, and chosen it as the setting for their wedding. It was our first time planning a wedding at this stunning Aman property, and we were delighted to have the opportunity to create something special in such an extraordinary location.
A Beautiful Persian Wedding at Amanruya
Working closely with Tarlan and the talented team at Nature Bodrum, we brought the couple's floral vision to life, including a breathtaking traditional Persian Sofreh Aghd, the centrepiece of their ceremony. The intricate details of the Sofreh, surrounded by beautiful floral arrangements, created an elegant and meaningful setting for this cherished Persian tradition. Amanruya's Main Pavilion architecture provided a stunning backdrop for the celebrations.
The ceremony itself was intimate and deeply personal. Tom made his entrance accompanied by his two young nieces as flower girls, followed by Tarlan walking down the aisle with her father. Led by close friends of the couple, the ceremony took place surrounded by their loved ones, beneath the beautiful olive trees. As the golden light of the setting sun filtered through the branches, it cast a warm, romantic glow over the entire setting, making an already special moment even more magical.
Making Time for Beautiful Memories
With so many beautiful backdrops around Amanruya, we wanted Tom and Tarlan to have time to enjoy the grounds and capture some truly special photographs. We carefully planned the schedule to allow a relaxed morning of preparations, with time for hair, makeup and those lovely moments with family before the ceremony.
Following the Sofreh Aghd, we dedicated an hour and a half to golden-hour portraits with the incredibly talented Yada Studio. Their artistic approach to bride and groom photography, combined with Amanruya's stunning surroundings, made for some beautiful and timeless images. Allowing this time in the schedule was particularly important to us, giving the couple a chance to enjoy a little time together while their guests moved on to cocktails.
Cocktails, Music and a Little Pre-Dinner Party
Following the ceremony, guests made their way to Amanruya's beautiful cocktail pavilion, where champagne, delicious canapés and the lovely melodies of violinist Şeyma created a relaxed and joyful atmosphere. Rather than a traditional background performance, we wanted the music to become part of the experience, with Şeyma moving amongst the guests and bringing a wonderful energy to the cocktail hour.
After enjoying their golden-hour portraits around Amanruya, Tom and Tarlan joined their guests, and the cocktail reception soon turned into a spontaneous mini celebration, with everyone enjoying the music, dancing and sharing in the excitement of the day. It was one of those lovely moments when the atmosphere naturally comes alive.
To make the transition from cocktails to dinner just as memorable, we arranged for dancers to perform elevated on columns, creating a striking visual surprise and building anticipation for the evening ahead. It was a playful and theatrical way to guide guests towards the dinner celebration, keeping the energy flowing as everyone made their way to their tables for the next part of the night.
An Evening of Music and Celebration
Dinner began with a lively entrance by the newlyweds, welcomed by Goldsingers performing Never Gonna Give You Up. An elegant dinner followed, with heartfelt speeches, live music and an atmosphere that gradually built towards the evening's celebrations.
The entertainment was carefully planned to flow from dinner into dancing, beginning with Tom and Tarlan's first dance, followed by the traditional Persian knife dance and cake cutting. Milad Baran and his Iranian band brought incredible energy to the dance floor, alongside Goldsingers and vibrant samba dancers.At midnight, the celebrations moved indoors for an after-party with DJ’s Diego and Marino, more live music, dancing and late-night food.
It was a joyful wedding filled with beautiful traditions, wonderful music and unforgettable moments. Despite the short planning timeframe, Tom and Tarlan's celebration came together beautifully, thanks to the collaboration of an exceptional team and a carefully considered schedule that allowed the couple to enjoy every part of their special day.
A Colourful Dinner Setting by the Infinity Pool
For the wedding dinner, we chose a spectacular setting alongside Amanruya's infinity pool, with uninterrupted views of the surrounding pine trees, lush greenery and the Aegean Sea beyond. The natural beauty of the location provided the perfect backdrop, allowing us to create a design that felt contemporary, colourful and elegant without taking away from the surroundings.
Long mirrored dining tables lined the edge of the pool, paired with transparent chairs that kept the setting feeling light and open. Working with Nature Bodrum, we introduced vibrant, loosely arranged flowers in shades of pink, coral, orange and purple, complemented by delicate candles and beautifully detailed table settings. The mirrored surfaces reflected the colourful florals and natural light, while the still water of the infinity pool created an almost seamless connection with the landscape. The result was a striking yet intimate dining setting where modern design and the natural beauty of Amanruya came together beautifully.
