Joumana and Rani are a couple from Lebanon, Beirut. Rani lives and works in Saudi Arabia, while Joumana is in Beirut. They decided to have their wedding in Bodrum, which they love very much. They also signed an agreement with the DplanV, a Greek company based in Athens organizing wedding events. Let me tell you immediately about the interesting part of the work that is full of coincidences for me. You can read the whole story of “Bodrum Villa Macakizi Wedding Photos” at the bottom of the page and watch the video…
The World is too Small
First of all, I went to Beirut for a wedding shoot this year and had the chance to meet our bride Joumana there and hold a detailed meeting with them. She told me her wishes and I told her my services. After this meeting, we decided to work together and shook hands. So coincidentally, we came across Beirut and they decided to work with me. Thereafter, in Athens, where I went for another wedding shoot, we met with Christos, who is responsible for the wedding organization, in the office of DPlanV and held a coordination meeting. Of course we did not neglect to send the selfie made with Christos to Joumana . The world is really small.
Together with the make-up artist and hair designer friends coming from Beirut for the wedding, the organization team and the music group from Greece, we stayed in our boutique hotel in Göltürkbükü on the morning of the day before the wedding. Drone pilot Ozan and my video partner Gökhan accompanied me.
Macakizi Bodrum
We went to Macakizi Bodrum, where the welcome party would be held in the evening. The area in the pier section of this Beach Club on the most beautiful beach of Golturkbuku was reserved for us. We had a gorgeous cocktail and then an extraordinary party night. The groom and bride carried on hands seemed a clue how crazy and fun the next day’s party will be. The sunset and subsequent night views were fantastic. We had a wonderful summer night in the yachts and lights anchored in the harbor.
Villa Macakizi
The next day, in the afternoon, we went towards Villa Macakizi to make the preparations. We started shooting today by photographing the set up and the preparations of Joumana and Rani. Villa Maçakızı was completely reserved for us for three days with its hotel and all areas. This is a bay and facility with a supernatural beauty in Bodrum Cennet Bay. One of the immaculate and peaceful Aegean bays.
After our couple got ready, we took outside shots in the beautifully decorated wedding areas and in the terraces and the areas descending to the beach. Finally, we took shots on the wooden pier on the beach. Thereafter the wedding started. Joumana and Rani met at the poolside among the guests’ cheers and walked to the wedding area. Here, before the first dance, all the guests started having fun before it gots dark. This is my favorite part of Lebanese weddings, they really know how to have fun.
This starting party was replaced by dinner. The long table, decorated with candlesticks where the couple sat, looked really cool. Conversations and toasts during the meal caused both fun and emotional moments. Hereafter the show of the Greek singer began. Almost 100 guests were also on stage and most of them were did not sit until the end of the night :).
After midnight, we went to the bar area in the garden on the lower floor for the after party. Entertainment here continued non-stop. It is a great chance to be among the people who have fun for documentary photography and feel confident during the shoots. For me, tonight was one of the best examples of this.
Beach Day
Beach Day
On the third and last day, in the afternoon, again at Villa Macakızı, we met with all the guests for the beach party. We all went into the sea together and added another dimension to our shots. Thanks to this, I added underwater photographs to my portfolio. I also collected underwater video footage for Gokhan. On the other hand, I have been swimming for hours which is my favorite activity besides photography :). The beach party turned into a barbecue party after a while. Delicious dishes were prepared from the skillful hands of master chefs. Towards the evening, we said goodbye to our couple and guests, with whom we spent three days together, and we went on our way back home.
Joumana and Rani are great people, we loved them. Hope to see you again soon. We are very grateful that they shared three amazing days with us. I wish you endless happiness, with my love.
Bodrum Villa Macakizi Wedding Photos by Ufuk Sarisen
