13.02.2026 12:05
Wedding and event venues in Istanbul, as well as houses where engagement and proposal organizations are held, will implement a holiday on Tuesdays starting from March 1st in order to protect the right to rest for employees and to establish a common standard in the industry.
The Istanbul Meeting and Wedding Hall Operators Tradesmen's Chamber (ISTDO), with a focus on sustainability and employee welfare, has decided to recommend that wedding invitation halls, outdoor wedding venues, and engagement request houses in the city be closed on Tuesdays starting from March 1.
With this decision, it is aimed to protect the right to rest for business owners and employees, balance the workload of members with multiple businesses, and enhance employee motivation and service quality.
PENALTIES FOR NON-COMPLIANCE
Businesses with events on Tuesdays are required to inform ISTDO in writing in advance. If events coincide with Tuesday, the halls can open no earlier than 5:00 PM. Actions will be taken against businesses that do not comply with the decision within the framework of the chamber's "Mandatory Principles and Practices."
SUPERVISION PERSONNEL WILL BE ON THE FIELD
ISTDO President Adem Sönmez stated that they serve citizens in approximately 1300 wedding halls in Istanbul. He noted that weddings in Turkey are a tradition maintained with a sense of social solidarity in Anatolia, and emphasized that they continue to work as a sector to sustain this tradition.
"IT WILL CONTRIBUTE TO EMPLOYEE REST"
Sönmez mentioned that they occasionally make certain decisions in the wedding sector, and that previously taken recommendations have been well received in the field. He stated that they have made an important recommendation decision for the rest of sector employees, saying, "Based on requests from tradesmen and managers working in businesses, we made a recommendation decision to declare Tuesdays as holidays starting from March 1 during the general assembly held on January 13, 2026. This decision we made will contribute to the rest of the personnel."
Sönmez pointed out that the closure of women's hairdressers in Istanbul on Tuesdays influenced this decision, and noted that there are also exceptions for ceremonies to be held in businesses. He emphasized that businesses wishing to hold ceremonies on Tuesdays must notify the chamber in writing, stating, "Our businesses will be open after 5:00 PM. Programs such as weddings, henna nights, engagements, requests, or marriages can be held with the knowledge of our chamber."
"IMPORTANT FOR PROVIDING HIGHER QUALITY SERVICE"
Sönmez indicated that there are penalties for businesses that do not comply with the decision, and that supervision personnel are on duty in the field. He stated, "Decisions taken in accordance with the obligations set by the chamber will be implemented. However, I do not think it will be necessary. Because this demand already came from the members. A large portion of the sector's employees are women. Weekends are also quite busy. Accounting and procurement processes will be completed on Monday, and Tuesday will be an opportunity for all personnel to rest. Having a day of rest for both businesses and personnel is important for providing better and higher quality service. At the same time, it aims to increase employee motivation and establish a common standard in the sector." he expressed.