Designing Dreams, Elevating Türkiye – One Celebration at a Time
Event planning is more than logistics—it is storytelling through atmosphere,
culture, and unforgettable moments.
By Oya Bain
MeltemTepeler is a remarkable entrepreneur dedicated to making Türkiye a hub for special events and weddings, and she is moving forward with her mission with speed.
She is also a pioneer in developing methods and best practices for event planning, with a solid educational background from Boğaziçi University.
Ms. Tepeler has expanded her activities to neighboring countries and plans to enter the US market. A person full of energy and ideas with impeccable taste and a love of the arts, she is an excellent fit to combine the beauty of the venues with spectacular weddings and events in Türkiye and many other countries.
Can you tell us about your early beginnings, childhood, original birthplace, parents, and siblings?
I was born as the first daughter of a Turkish Navy Officer who later became the Chief of the Navy of Türkiye, Admiral Vural Bayazıt. My childhood memories begin in Ankara, where I was born. Still, I also had the opportunity to live in other countries and attend international schools due to my father’s diplomatic missions as a Turkish Naval attache, including Cairo, Egypt, and Naples, Italy. Even though my father was in the Navy, he was very interested and talented in the arts, as he used to paint impressionist paintings and listen to a lot of classical music. He was also very fond of literature, especially poetry. My mother, Kanat Bayazıt, has studied the History of Art at the university, and my family was very much involved in the arts. I began taking private piano lessons and started painting by the age of 5. I also used to sing opera and loved to dance. Even though I was very talented in the arts and music, I wanted to study science at the university. I studied chemistry at Bosphorus University, followed by an MS degree in Environmental Sciences, and worked in the same department of the university as a PhD student and research assistant for five years. I had a great interest in everything, including the arts, music, dance, literature, and science.
What factors influenced you most in your formative years?
The receptions held in our home due to my father’s mission sparked my love for hosting guests and designing events. As event design and event planning are closely tied to the arts, I enjoyed helping my mother with these receptions, which significantly motivated me when I decided to change my career and become an event designer and planner.
What were your initial experiences, challenges, and successes?
I started my business by hosting birthday parties and small weddings in my first year. However, I had the opportunity to organize a large Children’s Festival, which attracted 10,000 children. This project opened the doors for coordinating significant events. I also had the chance to manage the Baptism Ceremony of the Vardinoyannis Family, one of the wealthiest families in Greece, during my early years. So foreign families and couples started to become aware of my company. My milestone was organizing the Gala Dinner of the Nato Summit, which took place at Topkapi Palace, İstanbul in 2004. I had the honour of hosting world leaders, including US President George W. Bush, President of France Jacques Chirac, Chancellor of Germany Gerhard Schroeder, Prime Minister of Italy Silvio Berlusconi, Prime Minister of the UK Tony Blair, and many other VIP guests, as well as other world leaders. I also hosted Pope XVIth the same year, and with these events, I became the most well-known event planner in my country.
You are now an outstanding event and wedding planner in Türkiye, attracting many international customers to Istanbul. How did it begin? How did it come to this level now?
I started planning and designing destination weddings of wealthy Greek families as they used to come to visit the Patriarchate in İstanbul for their Baptism and wedding ceremonies. This made me a popular name among couples and families who want to arrange a private event in Türkiye. After several years, I also started to work with other families from other nations such as Saudi Arabia, Iran, Azerbaijan, and Russia. I also began organizing weddings and events outside of Türkiye. I became an international luxury event and wedding planner who works with clients from all nationalities and parts of the world over time.
You are now the founding president of multiple hospitality organizations: KM Events in Türkiye, YEPUD (The Association for Planning and Implementation of Creative Events, Türkiye), TUED (International Events Association of Türkiye), and the President of the ILEA (International Live Events Association) Türkiye Chapter, and you have been at the Board of Governors at ILEA recently. How did these organizations develop?
As one of the pioneers in the event industry in Türkiye, I have come to realize that this industry requires adherence to rules, educated staff, expertise, and effective networking. This could only be achieved by establishing an Industrial Association. In 2008, I founded the first association in Türkiye’s event industry, YEPUD. I worked on creating certificate programs in event planning, as well as establishing connections with industry colleagues outside of Türkiye. I reached out to ILEA (International Live Events Association) one day and became their first Turkish member, working actively in the association and creating international contacts. I founded the second Event Association of Türkiye, TUED, which specializes in International events in 2019. I am still the President of TUED and working on making my country the most preferred wedding and event destination in the region. I was chosen to the Board of Governors of ILEA in 2022 and had the opportunity to represent the European and Middle Eastern event industries on the Board for 3 years.
Could you tell us about the most important events you planned? Which one was the most challenging? Which one did you enjoy doing?
Among all the events, I can say that organizing the Gala Dinner of the NATO Summit and hosting Pope Benedict XVI were very challenging. However, the wedding of the daughter of the Vice President of Azerbaijan, the wedding of the daughter of the Saudi Petroleum King, Khaled Ali Reza, and the biggest Indian wedding in Türkiye for the Gupta family were all significant challenges for me. However, my biggest project, the “Table Design Exhibition- Creativity Conference,” a three-day event consisting of a large exhibition, a conference, and a B2B event, which I organize in İstanbul every year for the global event and wedding industry, is my passion. I love managing it, as it is a significant Turkish promotion worldwide, showcasing our country as the most preferred event destination globally. The event is not only a networking platform but also an educational forum where world-class celebrity event designers, planners, and leaders from the luxury industry meet, speak, teach, and showcase their work. This year, I will organize the 4th edition of the “Table Design Exhibition – Creativity Conference” on December 17-18-19 at the Istanbul Lütfi Kırdar Convention Center.
What cities and countries have you organized events, weddings, and other events besides Istanbul?
I have organized many weddings and events in Greece, Italy, Azerbaijan, Spain, and the UAE.
Wedding or event planning is a complex and tremendous job. What kind of support system do you have in place? What is the most challenging part?
I have my children and my niece working with me. The second generation in my company has already begun. They are my most outstanding support. My daughter, Cemre Tepeler, is the GM of KM Events, and my son, Cem Tepeler, and my niece, Zeynep Tunç, are taking care of my other four brands, KM Beyond Luxury, KM Home Collection, as well as Table Design Exhibition- Creativity Conference.
You are also a popular author with several books. Weddings in Istanbul is now a definitive industry reference book. How did that come around?
This is the first and last book written in two languages, both English and Turkish, about destination weddings in Türkiye. It was also sold out in Türkiye, as well as in France and the UK. One of my missions in my career is to make my country one of the most “preferred” event destinations in the world. This book was written with this purpose, and I am proud to see the impact it has had on the global wedding industry.
Please tell us about the awards you have received.
I have received many awards. Among them, the most recent ones are:
◗ The top 100 most influential wedding designers & planners of 2023 by DWP Conference
◗ Lifetime Achievement Award by RSVP Conference 2024
◗ The top 10 wedding wizards of 2024 by the WVConnect platform and the Wedding Wows Platform
Please tell us about your KM Home Collection.
KM Home Collection is my home textile brand, where we produce Turkish towels, bath robes, bed linens, tablecloths, napkins, and placemats made from Turkish linen. I design all the details for my home textile brand, and we export all items worldwide.
My other brand, KM Beyond Luxury, is a travel brand that creates tailor-made experiences for our guests traveling to Türkiye.
You are also a founder and lecturer of the Event Management Certificate Program at the Bosphorus University Lifelong Learning Center, and a member of the Best Event Awards Jury (BEA). How did that come around?
As a graduate of Bosphorus University and a former research assistant there, I wanted to establish a certificate program at my university to teach event planning to young planners. This was important because I noticed that there were no educational programs to train professionals for the event industry. I am proud to see that our graduates are now running their own companies in the industry today.
I am proud to be a jury member at BEA, as they asked me to serve on the jury representing the Turkish event industry there. I feel honored to represent the Türkiye Event Industry on the jury, as this award is one of the most prestigious in the global event industry.
I am also a jury member at the ESPRIT Awards of ILEA.
Do you see a lot of career interest among the younger generation?
Yes, young generations have a lot of interest in weddings, event planning, and design. I am trying to teach them in my courses at the university, in my masterclasses, and at the Table Design Exhibition- Creativity Conference Workshop programs
Did you have any customers from the US? What needs to be done to bring American weddings to Türkiye? What challenges do you encounter in accessing the American market?
Yes, I do organize events and weddings for Americans in my country. The challenges include the political issues, as US customers are susceptible to changes and challenges in the region. Even if Türkiye is a very safe country, they may be afraid to plan their events if there is a war in the area. However, Americans love Türkiye and find our country to be unique, historically rich, and beautiful.
How can the Turkish Community help promote Türkiye as a premier wedding and event destination?
The Turkish community should support Türkiye as a wedding and event destination, bringing their events and weddings to our country.
You were recently featured in the World Bride Magazine? Is this a first for Türkiye? How did that happen?
Yes, this is the first time an event in Türkiye has been featured on the cover of a magazine from the USA. I invite many editors from event industry magazines outside Türkiye to the Table Design Exhibition and Creativity Conference every year.
World Bride Magazine was amazed by the event and expressed interest in publishing it on the cover. I was very proud when I saw myself on the cover and reading an article of almost 20 pages about the event inside.
What are your plans, new projects, and expansions?
I aim to organize the Table Design Exhibition – Creativity Conference outside of Türkiye by 2026, and I am working very hard toward that goal. This will demonstrate that this event is truly international, bringing together more than 350 industry professionals.
What hobbies and activities do you enjoy in your free time?
In my free time, one of my biggest passions is playing piano. I have been playing piano since I was 5 years old, and I love classical piano; Chopin and Bach are my favorites. I enjoy walking; it helps me clear my mind and reconnect with the natural world. Every day, I walk for 2 hours in the woods, and all my inspirations visit me during that enjoyable walk. I also love singing; it is an excellent way for me to express myself and unwind. I love opera and singing some of my favorite pieces is a great joy. Painting is another one of my passions, especially when I want to get creative and experiment with colors. And when I am feeling reflective, I write poems. It is a personal and meaningful way for me to put my thoughts into words.
Could you describe your daily routine for us? Do you ever get free time?
My day usually starts with internal team meetings, followed by heading to the office. Most days are filled with client meetings and occasional catch-ups with associations or partners. It is a dynamic routine, and depending on the day, I either go home late or have dinner with friends. Although I have a busy schedule, I find some free time here and there to recharge through my activities. Due to my business, I travel frequently and am out of Türkiye at least twice a month.
What is your favorite quote? What is your proudest moment in your life?
One of my favorite quotes is:
“Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.” – Albert Schweitzer.
One of my proudest moments was winning a professional award, such as the “Lifetime Achievement Award,” which I received from the RSVP Conference. This recognition acknowledged the work and dedication I have put into my field throughout my life. It was a meaningful milestone and a reminder that hard work and passion truly pay off.
Who has been the most influential person in your life and why?
The most influential person in my life has been my father. As an admiral, he had an incredibly demanding schedule, and there were times during my childhood when we would not see him for months at a time. Despite his responsibilities and success in his career—he was truly one of the most accomplished people I have ever known—he always managed to be a fantastic father. He was present for every critical moment in my life and made sure we never felt alone. I deeply admire how he balanced such a high-pressure career with being a devoted family man. I strive to follow his example every day. He was also very talented in the arts, such as painting, literature, and music, despite his background in the military. I think I have inherited all of my talent from him.
Is there something that the readers of TurkNetwork Magazine might be surprised to learn about you?
Something that might surprise readers is that I have published a book of poems, titled I Will Remember You, dedicated to the memory of my father. Writing has always been a personal and emotional outlet for me, and after his passing, poetry became a way for me to process my thoughts and preserve the values and memories he left behind. The book is deeply personal—it reflects both my grief and my admiration for him as a remarkable father and role model. It is not something I often discuss in professional settings, but it is one of the most meaningful projects I have ever undertaken.
What are your recommendations to the Turkish-American Community?
I recommend that the Turkish-American community focus on strengthening both cultural and professional ties between Türkiye and the United States. We have a rich heritage, and sharing it through business, the arts, education, and community initiatives helps build greater understanding and opportunity. It is also essential to support one another—whether through mentoring, collaboration, or simply staying connected. By coming together and embracing our shared values, we can create a more substantial, more impactful presence both locally and internationally.
Would you like to share any message with our readers?
I want to remind everyone to never give up on their dreams and passions. No matter how challenging the journey may seem, staying true to what inspires you will always lead you in the right direction. Keep believing in yourself, trust the process, and do not be afraid to take bold steps toward what truly matters to you.
Thank you for your time for this interview. It was truly an enjoyable experience. ■
