For the henna night, we’re taking you home. Çiftlikköy is the village where Alexia’s family comes from, just across the Sea of Marmara from Istanbul. It’s also where Tanner wandered into a bazaar, found a dürüm stand, and fell in love with the food that became Medi Medi. We can’t think of a better place to begin.

We’ll travel there together. Buses will take everyone from Istanbul to the ferry, and we’ll cross the water as one big group, with tea, simit, and gulls following the boat. The night is about family, and on this ride you become part of ours.

The kına gecesi is one of the oldest and most emotional traditions of a Turkish wedding. It is traditionally held before the bride leaves her family’s home. The bride wears a red veil and a traditional embroidered dress, and loved ones gather around her with candles and songs. Some of the songs are meant to make her cry, and they usually do. Henna is then pressed into her palm, often with a gold coin, as a blessing for the marriage ahead. Then the music picks up and everyone dances.

Henna will be offered to anyone who wants it.