mystery solved…
Friendship 2 years
Falling in love 2 seconds
Dating 2 years
Engagement 18 months
Eloping to Turkey - Priceless
As some of you have guessed, we are in Turkey.
On April 26th, we flew into Istanbul, took the night train to Ankara on the 27th, caught the bus from there to Goreme in Cappadocia, and finally on May 4th, flew to Selcuk. We married there on May 7th as the sun set over the ancient city of Ephesus.
As much as we would like to post all the details, due to the slow connection speeds in this beautiful country, we can only tease you with a few pictures for now. We will be updating with more details upon our return to Vancouver after May 19th.
This afternoon, we set sail for a seven day Gulet SCUBA diving cruise from Kas around the blue waters of the Mediterranean.
Paul and Rachel
and now for the show...
the Toparlak family at the pension in selcuk were great. they really wanted to give us a good time and ensure that we had a 'traditional' turkish flavoured wedding. what you see here is after the 'henna night'. rachel was surprised as members and friends of the Toparlak family sat rachel down, draped her with a
red veil, sang a turkish song and put henna on her hands. this was the night before we were to marry.
our new friends simon and nicol took photos of us in the ancient city of Ephesus.
kiss kiss...
now for the ceremony. the beautiful woman on rachel's right is shannon toparlak (without whose help, none of this would have been possible). the woman in red is the JP, Bilgi, who does not speak any english. shannon and her husband steve did the translating.
still the ceremony. it got a little out of hand as the media was informed and decided to crash the wedding! for those of you who subscribe to turkish newspapers... here are a few that may have us featured:
Hurriyet
Milliyet
Posta
Radikal
and the local selcuk rag should anyone be passing through this part of turkey in the next day or so...
we may also be on TV! as a few had video cameras...
EgeTV
Kanal D
our wedding rings bought in kusadasi at, thats right, relatives of the toparlak family, Feridun Oztorun.
and they surprised us with a cake... mmmm.... caaaake....
and what would a turkish party be without a belly dancer. thats right boys, i hired a stripper for my own wedding... top that!
getting some action...
a candid photo i took of my bride as she was being shot by simon in ephesus. i think it is my favorite picture of the whole trip.
well, that's it for now. don't know if we will get a chance to update again before we get home. thanks to everyone who's been checking out the site and posting comments. we are deeply saddened about the canucks... 
and i'm sure Mark will have a lot of explaining to do when we get back...
take care to all. love to all the mom's and dad's!!! 
ps: Oz dad, can i get the keys to the thunderbird now?
May 10th, 2003 - 08:06
Congratulations to you both! Now I know why you told me not to talk about Turkey in front of Rachel last year.
Paul: “You don’t know anything about Turkey, you’ve never heard of Turkey, you don’t know where Turkey is!”
Mark: “Uh… ok dude, take a pill…”
The pictures are beautiful and I’m looking forward to see the rest and hearing your tales.
Truthfully, I doubt I was the only one to suspect this was the plan and I think it’s a great idea.
We’re still going to have a talk when you get back about why you should tell me when you leave the country. You’re not off the hook yet…
Have fun and we’ll see the newlyweds next week!
May 10th, 2003 - 09:07
Well, congratulations to you both, looks like an awesome wedding. What a great idea! And good for you Paul, you mananged to hire a bellydancer at your wedding, dance with her while Rachel looked on, and you managed to have your own wedding without having to wear a suit – I am envious. Kate also says congrats, the wedding looks romantic, and Rachel looks beautiful. Hey…that’s pretty good, I say all those things too. Plus, you look beautiful too Paul. Really really beautiful. In fact, you look gorgeous!
Enjoy your scuba trip, but hurry back – I was going to cover for you while you were gone, but instead I’ve just been letting things pile up at your desk. Man, do you have a lot of work to get done when you get back… :^)
May 10th, 2003 - 15:15
CONGRATULATIONS!!!! We LOVE you BOTH!! Thanks for the Mother’s Day card. It arrrived on time. Imagine that!!! Will be anxious to hear from you when you get home. …….Mark… We are glad the Canucks lost because the Moose (our team) can have its players back!!…. MOM and DAD
May 10th, 2003 - 16:07
Alors la vous nous avez bien eu les gars !
Friday 9th I asked Clint at work, if he had some news from the guys down under. With a large smile He told me to check out the website.
Sure enough I just get around to do this now on, saturday 10th afternoon.
Wouah ! You guys got me. At the first shot of Istanbul, and of course the turkish toilets. You can’t fool a French man on this I am telling you, I just knew.
Paul, you are such a master photograph. The last shot of Rachel, is so cool.
Anyhow, Super Mega congrats from Yizheng and me.
Grosses bises et a tres bientot.
Bruno and Yizheng
May 10th, 2003 - 16:45
I think we might have had a better run with the farm team!
May 11th, 2003 - 11:17
Well, well, grandma and grandpa told me you were off getting married. I guessed Turkey, but no one understood me. My parents are slow like that to catch on to dogspeak.
Congratulations ! Its very exciting news. Now our big family is complete. I’ll try to join mom and dad in Vancouver in August but we’re not sure if the hotel takes dogs. (I’m not a real dog …)
Oh, and by the way, Paul, after reading your mother’s day card, Cathy wanted me to let you know that they are teaching me to talk. I guess YOUR days are numbered.
Congratulations again, we’re really happy for both of you.
Lots of love
Boxer
May 12th, 2003 - 06:01
Congratulations to you both! What a wonderful memory for you to cherish. Rachel looks gorgeous. You’re a lucky guy Paul,and you look pretty dashing yourself! Look forward to seeing you both when you get home.
May 12th, 2003 - 09:12
Well, Well, Well….
Very nice…Congratulations to you both. I was told via email from Mark on Saturday afternoon. WOW…I guess if your going to elope…might as well do it in style.
Once again…Congrats!
Angelo
May 12th, 2003 - 09:21
Hmmm…just on a whim, I checked out one of the TV stations that Paul mentioned above (Ege TV). Oddly enough, their website is in Turkish! With no conversion to English…it’s as if they never expected anyone hitting their website to be non-Turkish. I’ve written a letter of complaint (either that, or I’ve written an opinion on one of the articles, which could be life threatening in Turkey – good thing I used Paul’s name). I clicked around, but could not find anything about the wedding…too bad, that would be pretty cool.
May 12th, 2003 - 14:56
Wow! Congratulations!
So, Paul, did you really write your vows or was that all part of the intricate deception?
How do we know this is really Turkey anyway – it could be a set in Vancouver. ;o)
Hope you’re both having a fantastic honeymoon. I agree with Aaron, you both looked beautiful on your wedding day.
Best wishes
May 13th, 2003 - 07:35
Our most heartfelt congratulations to our wonderful and beautiful duo. It has taken me a week to get up off the floor to reach the laptop to post this message to you.
Dad and Laura kept telling me it was ‘Turkey’ but being the gullible, ever trusting mum, my reply to their comments was: “No, they can’t be there, Rachel told me they would not be going near the WAR ZONE!!!!!!!!’ I guess, next door is not ‘near’, right?
Well, we are truly pleased it was so special and the people helped to make it so memorable. Needless to say, you got a lot of mileage out of your little clues.
Welcome to our Canadian family, we look forward to meeting you in August – I guess we have now united the Northern & Southern Hemispheres!
To our fellow parents in the Northern Hemisphere, you will be pleased to know that we picked up on your cryptic clue. However, we had to explain it to our new son. He is excused as his head was in the clouds.
I can’t wait to hug my ‘not refundable’ mother’s day gift – the one who wears trekking boots to his wedding!!!! They should have been thongs.
Enjoy your honeymoon and make it last a life-time.
Love you both heaps
PS: Message from Oz dad:
Having immersed yourselves in the Turkish culture I am sure you are aware of the “wedding dowry”.I await your payment Paul.
60 Kilograms of Turkish Delight(No Paul the real stuff not the Belly dancer!!)
The ownership deeds to one authentic Turkish ruin.(No not you after the party!!)
The Renault 12 wagon that was in one of the first snaps you sent.
-OR-
One packet of Arnotts “Tim Tams”
Cheap really aren’t I?
I must agree that the dress looked really great and Paul scrubbed up half reasonable to, although I too think that thongs would have been more appropriate for Paul to wear,on your feet Paul!!
Oh, and by the way, you can have the keys to the Thunderbird when I get the second instalment of the dowry IE when the first grandchild is born!!!!!!!!!!!
Mumom xxxxxx Dad
May 13th, 2003 - 18:44
you know, Paul likes to wear a thong around the office a lot *shudder*
be thankful you haven’t witnessed that display…
May 13th, 2003 - 22:08
Congrats you two!! Would you believe us if we said we knew all along? Well, not exactly ‘all along’ but pretty dam close. Let’s just say that the ol’ ‘woman’s intuition’ kicked in…even for Karan too!! “HEY!! Enough of that!!” (exclaims Karan). We are THRILLED for you both and you know, as our big day and the controlled chaos that goes along with it draws closer at lightning speed, we must admit that we’re wondering why we didn’t do the same!! However, continued good times and lots of FUN on your honeymoon!! Be safe and savour every second of it. Big hugs!
Claire & Karan
May 14th, 2003 - 12:15
I’m so happy for you two! Rachel looked beautiful. Can’t wait to see the rest of the photo’s when you return.
Lot’s of love,
Darriel
May 15th, 2003 - 15:41
Congratulations Paul & Rachel! We are very happy for both of you. Erich was impressed, no suit nd your own stripper…but he still wants a bachelor party.
Can’t wait to hear all about it! It looked amazing!
May 20th, 2003 - 22:35
Wow,
Your whole wedding and trip is just amazing! Congratulations to you both!!!! I can’t wait to see the rest of the pictures.
-Rob
May 26th, 2003 - 10:40
hi Rachel,
Congratulations!!! Eloping in Style, very Good Idea!!!
Nice photos, love your dress!!!
-Jo F.
May 28th, 2003 - 14:14
Congratulations Rachel & Paul!!! You both look stunning! I am very happy for you both and wish you a lifetime of love, laughter and happiness! Can’t wait to see you when you get back.
Till then, take care and happy honeymooning!!
Luv Staci Hayashi
May 28th, 2003 - 16:08
Congratulations! I’m so excited for you both. The wedding pictures are fantastic. Rachel you looked absolutely beautiful on your wedding day. I wish you all the love and happiness in the world. This is just the beginning of truly wonderful partnership. Best wishes now and always.
Love Alison
May 28th, 2003 - 17:27
Hey Rachel & Paul,
Congratulations to you both. Great pics and its about time!!!! I hope you guys had a great time and I wish you both all the best.
Are you guys having another New Year’s Eve Party? I can’t seem to remember the last one that well. I know that was the last time I saw you guys..:-)
Again, I am very happy for the both of you…way to go!!!!
Take care
Jamie
PS…Paul, what did you do with those ripped jeans that Alison gave you while you worked at the Hotel? LOL
May 28th, 2003 - 17:56
Hey Rach & Paul,
A huge congrats on your marriage! Turkey looks amazing and you both look gorgeous! Love the dress Rach! Looking forward to the rest of the pics and hopefully it won’t be long till you both head down under and we can congratulate you both in person!
Love, your cousin Tess.
May 28th, 2003 - 18:47
I bow to both of you in awe! Just a few weeks ago, a person organized a day with his fiance at the Aquarium and proposed with the Dolphin taking a message to her….and I thought that was original…this is absolute spectacular!
You both are incredible people, wishing you all your hearts contents and centuries of neverending blissful surprises! May you always be blessed with absolute joy and love!
May 28th, 2003 - 21:59
Wow!!! What a trip, and what an event! Shoulda figured you two to do something crazy and fun. Congrats! Now you’re not living in sin anymore.
May 29th, 2003 - 02:28
Well Cuz and Cuz-in-law
Wow! I don’t here from anybody for years and then you’re off making headlines in Turkish newspapers by getting married in the wilds of ancient Cappadoccia. Really you’re just trying to make us sad old married men look bad in front of our spouses for our inadequate attempts at romance.
And the lengths some people will go to merely to avoid a load of unwanted family showing up at their wedding, tsk, and I’d have been only to happy to come and crash in with my family in tow, I am offended
Seriously, I wish you both all the best for the future, speaking as a happily married man, I am more than willing to encourage others to get hitched. If you’re ever passing through the UK then look us up (usual open offer to stay, we have a very decent spare room now).
All the best
Love
Darryl
Comments from other family members
Nafisa: Congratulations, and please email some photos!
Adam:
Sophie:
Oh well so much for family.
Bye for now.
June 2nd, 2003 - 08:38
Oh my god ?!?! What? This is all kinda outta the blue innit?
Everything was going so well. You were young and free and in love. Now you’ve gone off and gotten married! …. just kidding.
You know how people from Vancouver always lie to people from Toronto about the misery here due to the constant rain to keep the reality a secret and to ourselves? Well it’s the same with marriage. Marriage really is bliss, but the reality is that there is only so much of it available to go around. So we convince the single folk that the singles scene is so much more fun by orchestrating all these fake divorces and such ….. Just remember that when you’re with single folk. Make them feel good about being single.
Anyways … Welcome to married life!
So, when will you take the final plunge into eternal bliss and pop out a couple of kids for mine to play with? ;0)
CONGRATULATIONS ! Loved the pictures.
Dave(aka postie) & Daniela
June 5th, 2003 - 10:59
You both looks fabulous but I recognized the cabin at Hemlock in that last shot of you Rachel, you can’t fool me!! Good try but I noticed you were “busy” when we were stacking the wood!
Congratulations and I look forward to the conception photos!
Alison
June 5th, 2003 - 22:45
I remember you both when you met. Beautiful and exotic Rachel and young and innocent Paul (rrrrright!). Congratulations to both of you and it sure is nice to see this Real love blossom. You two have made a lifetime commitment to each other of which others are always hesitant. I applaud you for your courage and wisdom to grasp on to each other and take a ride of joy, beauty and wonder.
I am lucky to know such a great and generous couple and I look forward to years of seeing this love mature.
Thinking of good times.
Glenn
June 6th, 2003 - 07:40
Rachel & Paul,
It has taken me forever to even be able to sit down and read through all this. Apologies – please know we are SO HAPPY for you! What a unique and wonderful way to start your journey together as husband and wife. You both looked “smashing” – Paul a brilliant photograph of Rachel at the end!
See you both really soon I hope – it’s been too long!
Congratulations again – Michele & Maurice (& Amber & Riley, Stephen & Jaime too)
June 15th, 2003 - 13:52
Tears of joy for the both of you. Congratulations; wishing you a lifetime of laughter, love & wonderful memories!
Rebecca
July 3rd, 2003 - 11:41
Just heard the news from becks. Congrats!!!
With a great wedding like that you two are bound for a happy life.
keep spontanious
Carol
July 21st, 2003 - 14:35
Trying to get in touch with you both. We too are getting married in Turkey and would love to speak/email with you regarding what to do (neither of us have ever been there nor do we know anyone there!)
SR
June 11th, 2004 - 13:28
Hi! I am İrem Ateş “from Turkey-Ankara”.I have seen your web site by chance and let me congratulate you for this interesting wedding.You must be very adventurous people.Paul,I really enjoyed your photos.Do you know you can see a lot of beatiful photos of Turkey in the web site of Cultur Ministry of Turkey “www.kultur.gov.tr” .
I wish you a very happy life indeed.
June 11th, 2004 - 13:34
Hello Irem,
Thank you very much! That was very nice of you to make a post. I can’t tell you how much we enjoyed your country. The people are amazing and the landscape facinating. We can hardly wait to go back and see more!
Thanks for the web site link!
August 12th, 2004 - 04:51
hi
i’m a lawyer in Turkey
please do not hesitate to contact me about any kind of legal and commercial issues.
merveg138@hotmail.com
May 7th, 2007 - 16:19
Make that 4 years.
May 7th, 2010 - 10:01
And now for year 7. I really need to find those original pictures and fix this post.
shnewt´s last blog ..Safeco Field