Tamber & Burak

“The grounds and views of Narragansett Bay at OceanCliff are absolutely breathtaking. The hotel itself is elegant and makes you feel as if you’re living in the Gilded Age.”

Tamber Karmozyn & Burak Taskonak on July 23, 2015

Published in Newport Wedding 2017 issue

It didn’t take long for Rhode Islander Tamber Karmozyn and Burak Taskonak, from Istanbul, Turkey, to realize they were meant to be. The two have been side-by-side since their a chance meeting and chat at a bar in Florida where they discovered they had a mutual love for author Gabriel Garcia Marquez. “At the end of our first date, I knew that I had just met my husband,” says the bride. “I guess when you know, you know.” After an eight-month courtship, Burak used his equestrian pastime to surprise his bride-to-be with an engagement ring that he fastened to his horse Cyrus’s mane. Love filled the barn when Tamber answered, “Yes!”  –TS

Blast from the Past

The bride honored tradition by wearing her mother’s 1973 high-neck lace dress with a cathedral train and veil redesigned with a more modern silhouette and carrying a replica of her grandmother’s 1940 bridal bouquet.

Mixed Blessings

As a thank you for each guest, Burak’s mother purchased silver locum (Turkish delight) holders and locum from the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul and fastened each guest’s nametag to the top with evil eye pins, a traditional good luck charm. The couple also gave bags filled with saltwater taffy and sand dollars to represent Rhode Island and wrote their thank you notes in both Turkish and English.

Sweets

Everyone’s sweet tooth was satisfied with assorted baklava and a three-tiered wedding cake comprised of half chocolate and half vanilla sponge with a ganache filling. Buttercream frosting and a black “Dr. and Mrs. Taskonak” topper completed the classic look.

Where are they now?

The busy couple is planning a future honeymoon, but for now, they live in Fort Lauderdale, FL where Tamber is a medical speech and language pathologist and Burak is a dentist and owner of two practices.

Vendors

Tuxedos: The Men’s Warehouse

Rings: Jared’s

Invitations: Wedding Paper Divas

Rehearsal Dinner: The Mooring Newport

Venue/Caterer/Accommodations: OceanCliff Hotel & Resort

Hair: Dellaria Salon

Make-up: Valerie Raposo, The Beauty Lounge at Magnolia

Flowers:  Laurie Marshall Flowers

Cake: James Kennedy Confections

Officiant: Dana Spencer

Entertainment: Entertainment Specialists

Photographer: Lefebvre Photo