Getting married in Istanbul, but without the traffic chaos, without skyscrapers outside the door and without feeling like one of ten weddings that weekend? Then you need to know Princes’ Palace on Büyükada.
One boat ride from the mainland, on an island without cars, with the Istanbul skyline on the horizon – and a wedding venue so new that hardly anyone has seen it on Instagram yet. As your wedding planner in Istanbul, we’ll show you why Princes’ Palace is one of the most exciting wedding venues in the city for us right now. Short, sweet and with everything you need to know. Let’s go!
Princes’ Palace Wedding: Why This Venue Is Different
Princes’ Palace is not a classic city hotel on the Bosphorus. It’s a resort on Büyükada (also spelled Buyukada), the largest of the Princes’ Islands – a member of The Leading Hotels of the World, with Belle Époque architecture, manicured gardens and an Ottoman-style mansion with interiors by designer Zeynep Fadıllıoğlu.
The big difference to the hotels in the city: you’re not getting married in Istanbul, but with Istanbul in view. Your guests arrive by boat, stay on a calm island and experience the city as a backdrop instead of a stress factor. And the resort can even be booked exclusively.
The Wedding Spaces at Princes’ Palace
Grand Library Terrace
The big stage: up to 650 guests for the reception, 500 for dinner – with views across the Sea of Marmara all the way to the Istanbul skyline. Perfect for a sunset dinner or a big reception.
Garden at the Akdağ Grand Mansion
Belle Époque façades, a grand staircase and a garden for up to 250 guests. This is where we hold the ceremony – green, symmetrical and with a European feel that’s more reminiscent of Italy than of a metropolis.
Grand Library Ballroom
For up to 375 guests, with lots of daylight – your plan B in case of wind or for a party that goes on until the early hours.
Can you picture a wedding on Büyükada? Request a free consultation ↗
Wedding Weekend on Büyükada: What It Could Look Like
Day 1: Arrival by boat. All guests travel together on a large boat – with a champagne reception, canapés and skyline views. In the evening, a get-together on the terrace with live music.
Day 2: The wedding. Ceremony in the mansion garden, then dinner on the Grand Library Terrace and a party late into the night.
Day 3: Back to the city. Together by boat to Karaköy and brunch overlooking the old town – for example at GALLADA on the roof of The Peninsula Istanbul. From there, everyone travels to the airport relaxed.
On top of that, there are extras straight from the resort: a bridal shower with a hammam ritual, trips on wooden yachts across the Sea of Marmara, wine tastings or your own signature scent as a couple.
Wedding on Büyükada: What You Need to Know
Arrival
Istanbul has two international airports, so your guests don’t need a connecting flight. For Büyükada, Sabiha Gökçen on the Asian side is ideal because the piers are quick to reach from there. We organise transfers from Istanbul Airport.
No cars
There are no cars on Büyükada, only electric vehicles. That’s what makes the island so special – but it also makes logistics demanding: the entire setup arrives by boat, and every transfer has to be timed with the ferry schedule.
Accommodation
Some of your guests stay directly at Princes’ Palace. For larger weddings we add the historic Splendid Palace Hotel on the island, so all guests stay on Büyükada.
How Much Does a Wedding at Princes’ Palace Cost?
Real talk: a luxury wedding on Büyükada isn’t a bargain – but compared to Lake Como or the Côte d’Azur, you get a lot of venue for your budget here. To give you a rough idea – based on a wedding with around 80–100 guests:
- Catering from €300 per person
- One-day wedding: our recommendation from €120,000
- Multi-day wedding weekend: from €150,000
- Exclusive buyout of the resort: from €70,000 per night
Included are the venue, catering, design, boats, entertainment and all logistics – not included are the dress, suit, rings, shoes and our planner fee. How much it will be for you depends on your guest count, number of days and design. We’ll put together a rough budget plan with you in our free consultation.
Destination Wedding in Istanbul: Perfect for International Couples
Istanbul sits right between Europe, the Middle East and Asia – and we notice that in our enquiries. Princes’ Palace suits very different wedding cultures:
- Indian weddings: Multi-day celebrations with Mehndi, Sangeet and Baraat? With an exclusive buyout you have the garden, terrace and ballroom for all ceremonies – all to yourselves.
- Russian weddings: Easy entry and lots of direct flights to Istanbul – ideal for big families.
- American couples: European feel with Belle Époque and skyline views, plus direct flights from many US cities.
- Lebanese weddings: Big guest lists, long dinners and parties until the morning – with up to 500 guests on the Grand Library Terrace and the ballroom for the afterparty.
- Guests from Dubai and the Gulf: A short flight and a private island atmosphere that’s hard to find in the region.
Bringing different languages, traditions and rituals together in one weekend is exactly our thing as your Wedding Planner Istanbul.
Wedding Planner Istanbul: Why You Need Someone on the Ground for Büyükada
An island without cars, guests from several countries, boats, ferry schedules, deliveries by water – a wedding at Princes’ Palace is beautiful, but nothing you plan on the side. As your wedding planner in Istanbul, we coordinate everything from the first venue visit to the last boat – and make sure your guests only see what they’re supposed to see. You can read more about how we work in Istanbul in our article Wedding Planner Istanbul.
Looking for a wedding planner in Istanbul for your wedding at Princes’ Palace? Let’s talk ↗
FAQ: Princes’ Palace Wedding
Can you get married at Princes’ Palace on Büyükada?
Yes. Princes’ Palace offers ceremonies and wedding celebrations in the garden of the Akdağ Grand Mansion, on the Grand Library Terrace for up to 650 guests and in the ballroom – and the resort can also be booked exclusively.
How do guests get to Princes’ Palace?
By boat: Büyükada is a car-free island off Istanbul, and the resort has its own private boat dock. Sabiha Gökçen Airport is ideal for arrival.
How many guests can stay at Princes’ Palace?
The resort has 70 rooms, 56 of them suites. For larger weddings we combine it with the Splendid Palace Hotel on Büyükada.
Do I need a wedding planner for a wedding on Büyükada?
We definitely recommend it: with no cars, boat logistics and international guests, a wedding planner in Istanbul who knows the island is key to a smooth day.
How much does a wedding at Princes’ Palace on Büyükada cost?
Catering starts from €300 per person. For a one-day wedding with around 80–100 guests we recommend a budget from €120,000, for a multi-day wedding weekend from €150,000 – excluding dress, suit, rings, shoes and planner fee. An exclusive buyout of the resort starts from €70,000 per night.
Conclusion – Princes’ Palace: Istanbul, Only More Beautiful
If you want to get married in Istanbul but without the city buzz, Princes’ Palace on the Princes’ Islands is a wedding venue unlike anything in the city: island, Belle Époque, skyline views and an experience your guests won’t forget. And as your Wedding Planner Istanbul, we know the island, the boats and the timings, so you can simply look forward to your day. You’ll find more wedding venues in Istanbul, Cappadocia and Bodrum in our comparison of destination weddings in Turkey.
Free consultation with Kaipo Weddings
Planning a wedding at Princes’ Palace can feel overwhelming. Maybe you already have a rough idea, or you’re not sure where to start? You’re wondering what’s possible with your budget and how to turn your ideas into reality?
That’s exactly why we offer a free consultation. Together we’ll find out whether and how we can support you with your planning. We’ll show you what your wedding at Princes’ Palace could look like, create an individual budget plan and give you a roadmap for your wedding planning.
Simply apply via this link for your free, no-obligation consultation – we can’t wait to get to know you and your story.
See you soon!
If you can imagine getting married in other places in Turkey, be sure to check out this blog article on the 22 top wedding venues in Bodrum, Izmir and beyond on!
