Paris Wedding, Istanbul Celebration: Itır Esen and Engin Aykanat Say “I Do” Again
Actress Itır Esen and talent manager Engin Aykanat celebrated their marriage with family and friends at a wedding reception in Istanbul. The couple had already married in Paris, but returned to Turkey to mark the occasion with a larger gathering attended by relatives and well-known figures from the entertainment world.
Among the guests were actors Çağatay Ulusoy, Kıvanç Tatlıtuğ, Devrim Özkan and Mustafa Mert Koç. Tatlıtuğ attended with his wife, Başak Dizer, as the couple joined the celebrations.
Esen and Aykanat’s wedding followed a small family engagement ceremony on September 6. On September 19, they married in the French capital. After returning to Turkey, they held the Istanbul reception, where the couple’s happiness was shared with a wider circle of loved ones.
The evening also included a symbolic wedding ceremony in Istanbul. Çağatay Ulusoy served as a witness during the proceedings, adding a personal touch to the celebration for the couple and their guests.
Music was a central part of the reception. Singer Serdar Ortaç performed as the night continued, while Mustafa Mert Koç and Ulusoy later joined in, playing guitar and singing. Tatlıtuğ and Dizer were also seen enjoying the music when Ortaç performed “Ben Adam Olmam.”
Moments from the celebration were shared on social media, giving viewers a glimpse of the lively atmosphere. The combination of a formal ceremony, live music and performances by friends made the Istanbul gathering more than a conventional reception: it became an opportunity for the couple’s close circle to celebrate together.
Holding ceremonies in two cities allowed Esen and Aykanat to mark their marriage in different settings. Their Paris wedding was followed by a celebration in Istanbul, where family members and friends could take part in the festivities. The reception brought together the couple’s personal and professional circles in one place.
For guests, the night offered several memorable highlights: Ulusoy’s role as witness, the impromptu guitar performance and the dance-floor moments during Ortaç’s set. Such unscripted scenes often become the most talked-about parts of a wedding, especially when friends and colleagues are involved.
Esen first came to wider public attention through the 2017 Miss Turkey competition. She is also the niece of the Yeşilçam actress Itır Esen, who shares her name. Her marriage to Aykanat drew attention both as a personal milestone and as an event attended by prominent figures from Turkish television and film.
The Istanbul reception brought the celebrations to a close on a festive note. After exchanging vows in Paris, Esen and Aykanat were able to celebrate their union at home with the people closest to them, while their famous guests helped make the evening a lively occasion.