Henna Night: Missing Turkey
Words and Pictures by Angela Cappetta
Henna Night: Missing Turkey
Dear Clients,
Please repeat entire wedding week in Turkey so I can shoot it again. Furthermore, the plane tickets and the weekend in Cappadocia was the best tip I ever got on a job ever in my entire career. To enumerate: thank you and I love you.
Sincerely,
Angela.
The Perfect Henna Night: a Traditional Turkish Wedding Ritual
The henna night is a deep rooted wedding ritual in Turkish culture that generally happens one day before the wedding ceremony where the bride celebrate her big day with family members and friends before tying the knot. However, a visible shift arises in how brides prepare for this day. From apparel to music, it can it into a more of bachelorette party.
Traditionally, candles are used on henna nights in order to increase the mystery of the atmosphere. The lights go out and the bride-to-be sits in the middle of the group of ladies while everyone else gathers around her. Then, the single young ladies start to turn around her with candles in their hands.
Henna, the name-giver of the henna night, is a flowering plant that plays a big part in not henna nights but also various celebrations in Turkey. On Muslim holy days such as bayrams or during soldiers’ farewell, henna is applied as a symbol of honor.