A Turkish Couple Turns Their Wedding into an Act of Compassion

On July 30, 2015, Fethullah Üzümcüoğlu and Esra Polat, a couple from Turkey, redefined the meaning of celebration with a wedding that touched hearts across the globe. Instead of spending their money on a lavish banquet, they chose to use their funds to feed 4,000 Syrian refugees in the town of Kilis, located near the Syrian border.

While most weddings are known for grand feasts and expensive festivities, this couple chose to offer something far more meaningful: compassion. Guests joined the couple, not as spectators, but as active participants in serving hot meals from food trucks to refugees who had fled the violence of war.

The guests did not just share a meal, they shared a purpose, an experience that transcended the typical wedding celebration — giving to those who needed it most. Many refugees didn’t even know it was a wedding; they simply saw strangers offering them a lifeline in the form of a hot meal and a warm gesture of kindness.

For Fethullah and Esra, the joy of the day was not in the material gifts or the decorations, but in knowing their love story would be remembered for its generosity. They wanted their wedding to be a symbol of shared humanity, not luxury. They believed that true happiness lies in giving, in sharing the joy of life with others who are struggling.

In a world often focused on opulence and status, this couple’s decision to use their wedding day as an opportunity to give back reminds us all that love is most powerful when it’s used to lift others. Their act of kindness still resonates as a beautiful example of how small moments of compassion can create lasting impact.