Posts Tagged ‘Ethnic Wedding traditions’
Sofreh - A cloth spread on the floor; used to either serve food on or for the display of the arrangements and symbols of the Persian Wedding (Aghd) and New Year (Norooz) ceremonies.
Atelier – Workshop of an artist or designer.
Salaam. The Sofreh is one of the most beautiful and sacred traditions that I have seen. Sofreh Atelier Provides Persian Couples – Sofreh Aghd for rent, custom staging for your Sofreh, consultation for the DIY couple, rental and sale items, and Sofreh -haft for your Norooz Event in Maryland, DC, Virginia and beyond! Since flowers are central to Sofreh, our friends Mahsa and Shahed will happily work with your florist or recommend great florists that they have previously worked with.
Traditional items placed on a Sofreh – Mirror (ayneh), candle holders (shamdoon), the spread (termeh or other elaborate cloth), bread (naan), decorated eggs, decorated nuts, crystallized sugar (nabaat), sugar cones (Kaleh ghand), honey (asal), sabzi (herbs), fruit (miveh), esfand (rue), sweets (shirini) and the Holy book.
Mahsa and Shahed
Thanks to our photographers – Thomas Van Veen and SOTA Designs
Happy Planning!
The Chuppah
The Chuppah or Bridal canopy is the central tradition in most Jewish weddings. Typically, it’s made of a cloth covering attached to four poles that are burrowed into the ground, or supported by four honored friends or family members. Always open on all sides, The Chuppah symbolizes the new Jewish home that the couple creates for one other. During the ceremony, the couple, their parents, the Rabbi, and often the Bridal attendants will stand underneath the Chuppah.
Chuppahs are traditionally made. Sometimes people will use their grandparent’s Chuppah, or make their own. One of my Brides had a very beautiful Chuppah – which was sewn together from individual squares by members of her immediate family. Chuppahs can also be rented, and adorned with flowers and other decorations.
From top left…
Erika and Matt’s wedding in Baltimore – photography by Thomas Graves
An wonderful patchwork Chuppah seen on One Wed
Gorgeous Chuppah rentals through Charm City Chuppahs
Happy Planning!
Thursday is the day to present beautiful wedding traditions – not only in Persian weddings – but different customs from all around the world.
I enjoy making a ceremony more unique and personalized by incorporating beautiful traditions in each and every wedding.
So – sit back, relax, and enjoy the beauty and elegant tradition that will unfold before your eyes!
Sofreh Aghd
Persian Mirror1. Mirror (of fate) “Aayeneh-ye Bakht” and two 
Candelabras (representing the bride and groom and brightness in their future) . They symbolize light and fire. The Bride enters the room with her veil. When she sits to the left of her Bridegroom and removes her veil, the first thing he will see in the mirror is his Bride-to-be.
2. A tray of seven multi-colored herbs and spices “Sini-ye Aatel-O-Baatel”- to drive away evil spirits
3. A specially baked and decorated flatbread “Noon-e Sangak” – Prosperity for life.
4. A basket of decorated eggs and a basket of decorated almonds, Walnuts and Hazelnuts for fertility.
5. A basket of pomegranates and/or apples for a joyous future.
6. A cup of rose water extracted from special Persian roses “Gol-e Mohammadi”to make the air sweet
7. A cup of honey to sweeten life. The couple offers the other a dab on their fingertip.
8. Two sugar cones “Kalleh Ghand” made out of hardened sugar to be used during the ceremony. These sugar cones are grinded together above the bride and bridegroom’s head (over the scarf held above their heads) throughout the ceremony to shower them in sugar (symbolizing sweetness and happiness).
9. A needle and seven strands of colored thread to figuratively sew up the mother-in-law’s lips from speaking unpleasant words to the bride!
10. A brazier “Manghal” holding burning coals sprinkled with wild rue “Espand” a popular incense to bring health to the new family.
11. A bowl of gold coins representing wealth and prosperity.
12. A copy of the couple’s Holy Book is placed on the spread. For Christian couples, it would be the Bible, for Zorastians Avesta, For Muslims Qur’an, …. This symbolizes God’s blessing for the couple.
13. A Scarf or Shawl made 
out of Silk or any other fine fabric to be held over the bride and bridegroom’s head throughout the ceremony by various happily married female relatives (mostly bride’s close family members).
14. A bowl made out of crystallized sugar “Kaas-e Nabaat/Shaakh-e Nabaat” to sweeten life for the newly wed.
Photography by Thomas Graves Photography
Happy Planning!
Washington DC in March is one of the most beautiful places. New life abound – the cherry blossoms blooming – a first hand view of Washington DC’s most stunning monuments. With the floor to ceiling atrium windows, I cannot imagine a more beautiful wedding reception than treating your guests to a front row view of Washington DC -while cruising around the Potomac. This is exactly what this couple treated their 150 guests to – a night of enchantment.
This wonderfu
l couple, brought together by fate, came from two entirely different backgrounds – hers Korean – and his American, but both totally in love. They combined their love to treat their guests to a multicultural affair that both they and their guests will forever remember. Adorned in a beautiful designer gown and him in a tux, they renewed their vows in high fashion-while docked in Washington DC’s SE side, known for its great harbor and even better seafood. After the ceremony, the ship “set sail” to a cruise of magnificent proportions.
After an abundant cocktail hour of heavy Hors D’oeuvres and drink, guests were able to order of menus and feasted on a 3 course meal fit for kings/queens! While eating, the Bride and Groom partook in many traditional wedding rituals; such as, the First dance and parent dances. After dinner, the 5 piece band opened the floor to all guests!
The Bride and Groom cut their simple 3 tiered cake, and quickly went to change for the traditional Korean bowing ceremony. Guests were 
treated to an elegant Chocolate Foutain, with a variety of fresh fruit and sweets as an accompaniment to the delicous yellow wedding cake.
The night seemed to end as soon as it started. The simple set up 
lead to a magnificent evening full of light, love, Washington DC sites, but more importantly a memorable occasion for all!
I was not only honored, but privileged, when this fabulous couple asked me to assist in planning their vision of a platinum wedding. The couple had been together for a little over six years and knew this was the perfect time to “tie the knot.” The Bride was from, and lived in, Los Angeles, California. The Groom moved back to the East Coast to further his education. Needless to say, most of the time, it was the Bride, I and her family doing all the planning.
forgotten” ceremony. The room was filled with extravagant flowers, linens and imported custom designed drapery. Half of the tables consisted of cherry tree branches with green antique Hydrangeas, Black Magic Roses, Melva orange Roses, Leonita Roses, red hanging Amaranths and Orchids. The other half consisted of the same flowers, however, we changed the concept and opted to showcase the flowers in tall circular glass vases partially filled with marbles -giving the room more variety and elegance. The room was truly magical and filled with love, happiness, and memories that the Bride and Groom will hold dear to their hearts forever.
The cake was something you would find in a picture perfect magazine. The Bride chose a very simple, classic, and timeless cake. It was tree tiered and had draping with sugar coated rose petals and Tiramisu filling. The room was filled with silence and all eyes were on the Bride and Groom as they took a big slice of cake and fed each other in a very romantic and unforgettable way.
