Symbolic wedding ceremony held for woman with Down syndrome in Turkey

MANİSA

A symbolic wedding ceremony without a groom was held in the Soma district of the western Manisa province for a 28-year-old woman with Down syndrome, in a bid to realize her childhood dream.

Husband and wife Aynur and Kudret Erarslan prepared a wedding ceremony for their daughter, Yasemin Erarslan, in Soma Municipality’s Wedding Hall in order to make the woman’s dream come true. 

Erarslan, who receives education from Soma Spastic Children Association and lives with her family, wore a bridal gown and danced with her father in the ceremony, which also included the traditional henna application. 

“The way my daughter used to look at a bride was hurting me a lot. I said ‘why not?’ I wanted to make a dream of my daughter come true. Her only dream was this. I thank everyone a lot who was witness to such a happy and fun day,” said Aynur Erarslan. 

Erarslan, who also performed a dance show with her Caucasian dance teacher Murat Dolu during the ceremony, thanked guests for attending her wedding.