Shooting in Your Wedding Dress in Cappadocia: What It's Really Like

Most brides who write to us have the same question somewhere at the back of their mind: “Can you actually walk those valleys in a wedding dress?” You can — and with a little preparation it is much easier than it looks. We are a wife-and-husband team who have photographed brides and grooms in Göreme for years, so here is the side of a gown shoot that the postcards leave out.

The valleys are not a runway

Some of our locations are a few steps from the car; others are a short walk along uneven, dusty paths with loose stones. Full skirts and long trains look wonderful, but you will be holding them up as you walk, and on the trickier stretches your partner or one of us will help carry the fabric. Light, flowing gowns are easier to manage and move far more beautifully in the breeze.

Dust happens — and it rarely shows

We will be straight with you: the hem will pick up some dust. The volcanic tuff here leaves a fine, pale powder that usually shakes out, and it almost never shows in the photographs. If you plan to wear the dress again at another event, tell us in advance and we will choose locations with shorter walks.

Wind: your best friend and your worst

A gentle breeze lifts a skirt or a veil and brings a frame to life. At the high viewpoints, though, it can turn gusty — long veils fly off in every direction, and hair that is pinned firmly holds up better than a loose style. On properly windy mornings we move to more sheltered spots.

Walking shoes and wedding shoes

Bridal heels on a valley path are tiring and a little risky — a slim heel digs into the soft earth with every step. Wear trainers or flats to get there and keep your wedding shoes in a bag. Under a long gown your feet are hidden in most frames anyway, so many brides only swap at the last moment, and some never do.

Too cold, too hot

Sunrise sessions start cool for most of the year. Bring a shawl or coat to throw over your shoulders between shots and slip off just before we shoot. Summer mornings bring the opposite problem: as the sun climbs, a suit jacket turns warm quickly, so he only needs to put it on for the photos themselves.

Gown, flying dress — or both?

Both, if you like. We bring our flying dresses along whenever you want one, and there is no limit on outfit changes. Plenty of couples shoot sunrise in their wedding clothes and then carry on in a flying dress or something more relaxed. Hotel pick-up and all transfers are included, so your outfit bag simply waits in the car and a change takes a few minutes.

What to bring

• Comfortable shoes for walking, bridal shoes for the photos
• A warm shawl or coat for between shots
• A small brush or towel for the hem
• Hair ties and a few spare pins
• A second outfit, if you want one
• Water and a small snack

After booking we send you a style guide — share a photo of your dress and we will plan the locations that suit it best. You can see what each package includes in our packages section, and ask us anything on WhatsApp.