A Roman Elopement Full of Laughs and Gelato
Rome may be full of light, but Bensu and Ulaş arrived with a glow all their own. Two pilots from Turkey, flying high in every way, they chose the Eternal City as the setting for one of the most meaningful days of their lives.
It was Ulaş who first reached out to me. Instantly warm and engaging, the kind of person who knows what he wants and isn’t afraid to say it. Bensu, originally from İzmir (a city famously known for the beauty and grace of its ladies), matched him perfectly—easygoing, thoughtful, and full of curiosity. She spoke with quiet confidence about history, art, and literature—a woman of taste, no question.
Their day began with an intimate civil ceremony at the Turkish Embassy in Rome, where we shared smiles and Turkish delights under the Roman sun. From there, we stepped out into the eternal city for their urban elopement photoshoot—camera in hand, love in the air.
First stop: the Colosseum. A symbol of history and grandeur, just like the love they brought with them. Tourists gathered, offered congratulations, and the bride’s cheeks practically ached from returning so many smiles. There was a sense of shared joy in the air—a kind of instant celebration that only Rome knows how to host.
After some laughs and casual street portraits, we walked to Monti for a quick gelato break—because in Italy, love and gelato are non-negotiable. Though, between us, I had a feeling this stop wasn’t just about gelato. Bensu was starting to look a little hungry—and maybe just the tiniest bit annoyed. It felt like the right moment to sweeten the mood. Just my interpretation, of course.
As evening fell, so did any remaining trace of formality. Out came the iPhone speaker, on came the flash, and the night lit up with impromptu dancing, curious bystanders, and so much laughter. Their energy was contagious. The city didn’t just watch—it responded.
This wasn’t just about photos. It was about movement, freedom, and doing things their way. Bensu and Ulaş were incredibly easy to photograph because they were fully present—comfortable in their own skin, joyful in each other’s company, and totally at ease in front of the camera.
We ended the night with dinner, and as promised to my gym coach, I stuck to protein and carbs (no gelato this time, sadly). But even if the plate was disciplined, the day was anything but. It was spontaneous, beautiful, and so full of life.
