I don't like the part where they kiss hands. To me, it is like an official statement to tell the parents you had sex! At least, that is how I've always understood it: you don't get to talk about it, let alone have it, and then you get married, you have the wedding night and the next time you see the parents, they all know what you've been up to and you confirm it kissing their hands.

i think it all sounds very romantic........mmmmm....sigh!!!

I've been to many turkish wedings, a few in Turkey and one in London. They have all been slightly different from one another but for me I would say they make it more interesting for everyone unlike english traditional weddings. It's not just the main family that are involved sometimes there have been over 300 people because of local friends etc and they all get involved. Plus the bride wears two different dresses, one for the henna and one for the begining and most of the wedding, (traditional white dress). When I get married I'll probably more likely to be in Turkey due to family, and at the end of the wedding you give your gift either money pinned on the bride's dress or jewellery for the bride and groom. Oh and occassionally there is a bit where you have a vase made out of clay I guess and women that are old enough to get married and close relatives each take a chance to dance with it then the last person throws it on the ground and there's usually money and sweets inside.
In Turkey they usually last for two days or round about then, you have music playig 'til round about 4am then just a few hours later it starts again, 'til quite late, when you are surrounded by so many people to me it makes it more magical, but that's me.

That's what I've seen when I've been to family turkish weddings