Marriage

Since the adoption of the Republican Civil code in 1926, based on the Swiss Civil Code, Turkish males can marry only one woman at a time. It is forbidden by law in Turkey to marry before the age of 15 in the case of females and 17 in the case of males. Early marriages are more frequent in the rural areas than in the cities, where the education, military service, acquiring a profession and other factors tend to delay marriages. In rural areas, marriages are generally in line with the wishes or approval of the families involved whereas in cities it is generally the couples themselves that make the decision to marry.

Village Weddings
Celebration such as weddings may last for several days and involve a number of individual rituals. In the rural areas, families often approve and sanction wedding partners. The bride always has a çeyiz ( trousseau ) comprising lovely, handcrafted articles she and her mother have made for the new home.
Making flat bread for the marriage feast is the responsibility of the women of the family. The tradition of making katmer or gözleme ( crapes ) is being revived in some parts of Turkey.