Couple marries in Istanbul subway station in first

ISTANBUL

The very first marriage in a subway station in Turkey was solemnized on Oct. 30, state-run Anadolu Agency has reported. 

Alper Odabaşı and Yeşim Demiray married at the observation terrace of the Haliç Station on the Golden Horn, after permission was granted by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality.

Guests attending the ceremony arrived on a train headed to the Haliç Station from the Hacıosman Station at 11:25 a.m. Shortly after, the bridal couple arrived at the station in a train covered in wedding bunting.

Kağıthane Mayor Fazlı Kılıç solemnized the wedding, while the couple’s marriage witnesses were Istanbul Subway General Manager Kasım Mutlu and ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Sarıyer district head Salih Bayraktar.

Speaking at the wedding, the groom Odabaşı, who has worked as a driver of Istanbul subway trains for five years, said they were very happy with the original ceremony.

“This idea came to our minds when we were talking about the wedding with our managers. I like different things and I like surprises. Our general manager supported the idea. We are here and we are very happy. We are very excited,” Odabaşı said.

According to recent directives from the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, soon-to-wed couples can choose to marry at various Istanbul subway stations if they wish.