We had  a beautiful intercultural Iranian and Unitarian wedding this past weekend.  All aspects of this wedding were so beautiful and personal.  We worked with the aunt of the Bride to put together the Sofreh.

What an experience!  I cannot wait for the next one!

So, I do not have pictures yet (but I cannot wait to post them), but I did want to post some beautiful pictures of Sofreh from around the web.

Thomas VanVeen for Sofreh Atelier

Sofreh Atelier

TJ Weddings

Project Wedding

Sofreh Atelier

Sofreh Atelier provides sofreh rentals and design.  They do a gorgeous job!

Happy planning!

At an Iranian wedding,  Sofreh Aghd and the items placed on it have deep symbolic meaning.

The most significant items are the mirror and candelabras.  It is a tradition that the Groom’s family will purchase these two items – and often, they will come from Iran.  The large central mirror is placed directly in front of the Bride and Groom.  It should be large enough that all the witnesses behind can see everyone.  The mirror represents the bright light that shines into ones future.

2 candelabras flank the central mirror and symbolize Zoroastrian faith.

Bread represents prosperity.

Walnuts, almonds or hazelnuts represent fertility.

Bowl of crystallized sugar, bowl of honey, and Persian Sweets  symbolize the Sweetness of life.

Esphand keeps away the evil eye and is often burned on hot coal as the Bride and Groom enter the ceremony area.

Temreh – a beautiful silk (or other fine fabric) embroidered cloth – symbolizes tradition.

A small bowl of gold coins symbolizes wealth.

The Holy Book, and small bowls of Herbs and Fruit are also placed on the Sofreh.

So beautiful!

Happy planning.

The middle east contains one of the oldest civilization on earth.  A culturally rich region -  I would suppose it isn’t a surprise that beautiful cultures and wedding traditions have been passed down for centuries.  A wedding planners dream!  My dream anyway .

Because of the vastness of the culture and richness of tradition, it is difficult (and almost impossible) to group everyone together and make generalizations.  I could never do justice to the rich history of the peoples.

However, one thing that is common among most is that they love to celebrate love, life and marriage – and will do so in 5 parties spanning 7 or so days!

WOW!

The festivities are celebrated in the following 5 parties:

1. The engagement party – the Bride and Groom invite family and friends for music, food, dancing and singing.  This is the first festive party to celebrate the life and the love of the couple.  The couple party with their guests long into the evening.   The Bride will change her clothes as many as 5 times.
2. Signing of the marriage contract – like the engagement party  – there is much to celebrate.  The couple will invite friends and family for food and music.  The Bride can change her clothes as many as 5 times!
3. The Hena party – This party takes place the day before the wedding.  A special dye, Hena, is placed on the hands and feet to ward off evil spirits – very similar to the Indian wedding tradition.  The “Grinding” tradition also takes place.  Typically, the couple is seated and many girls wear white clothes on their head.  The “Grinding” girl will grind two lumps of sugar together over the couples head while asking God  to ward off evil spirits.  This party typically continues until dawn on the next day (the wedding day).
4. The wedding reception – this party is in similar feeling and style to receptions of the United States.  During this reception, the wedding guests are given 5 almond pieces which symbolize the 5 wedding wishes – health, happiness, wealth, fertility, and longevity.
5. The wedding shower – usually taking place at the Bride’s Mother’s house, this party takes place 7 days after the marriage.  In Arabic it’s called Sabaa, which means 7.  It’s only attended by women – who bring the Bride presents.  The Mother of the Bride typically showers the Bride with gold or diamonds.

It’s amazing how traditions are passed  down and other cultures have adopted different pieces of this.

Thanks to Middle Eastern Wedding Traditions for all the information that you see here!

Happy planning!

At an Iranian wedding,  Sofreh Aghd and the items placed on it have deep symbolic meaning.

The most significant items are the mirror and candelabras.  It is a tradition that the Groom’s family will purchase these two items – and often, they will come from Iran.  The large central mirror is placed directly in front of the Bride and Groom.  It should be large enough that all the witnesses behind can see everyone.  The mirror represents the bright light that shines into ones future.

2 candelabras flank the central mirror and symbolize Zoroastrian faith.

Bread represents prosperity.

Walnuts, almonds or hazelnuts represent fertility.

Bowl of crystallized sugar, bowl of honey, and Persian Sweets  symbolize the Sweetness of life.

Esphand keeps away the evil eye and is often burned on hot coal as the Bride and Groom enter the ceremony area.

Temreh – a beautiful silk (or other fine fabric) embroidered cloth – symbolizes tradition.

A small bowl of gold coins symbolizes wealth.

The Holy Book, and small bowls of Herbs and Fruit are also placed on the Sofreh.

So beautiful!  Ho hum.

Happy planning.

Thanks to Sofreh Aghd and Sofreh Atelier for the information.  Thanks to Wedding Bee for the awesome picture.

Persian weddings are exciting.  They consist of lots of laughter, lots of fun, lots of celebration, lots of dancing – and a ton of bling!  So far, I have talked about Persian Jewish weddings and Persian Muslim weddings.

I am posting a hymn that is very popular in Persian Christian weddings.  It is a combination of confirming the couple’s faith in Jesus Christ as well as a prayer by their family and friends for God’s protection and blessing over the new union.

Here is the translation:

O God, Triune, Transcendent! Love’s spring, for ever flowing!
Upon thy love dependent, Love be from us outgoing.
By thee is love implanted; By Thee each boon is granted;
Where praise of Thee is chanted, Is Heaven, joy bestowing.

For Love’s delight and pleasure, O Lord, we magnify Thee;
For gladness without measure, O Christ, we glorify Thee.
Our future pathway brighten; of harms and hurts that frighten -
Of danger, us enlighten – Of wrong that may defy Thee.

These two, O Lord, do Thou view; They both their troth have plighted -
Are joined in one, as thou too, Art with Thy Church united.
Through all life’s toil and trailing, When young – when frail and failing -
Thy gracious aid availing, Their love be well required.

In Times of tribulation, When ways and means are slender;
In pain and in privation, Renew our hearts’ surrender.
In hours of jubilation, Success and relaxation,
For Thy aid and salvation, Our gratitude we tender.

These two, O Lord, enable, Their welfare coalescing,
In Thee be strong and stable, Each other’s heart possessing.
Their bond with Thee unites them; To faithfulness incites them;
Until death’s call invites them, Grant them for ever blessing.

These are beautiful customs and traditions.  I’m all for respecting an honoring traditions – and incorporating different cultures into your own wedding celebrations.

Happy planning!

These lovely words and translations are from Farsinet.com

Persian weddings are divided into two parts

Aghd – where the formal marriage takes place and the marriage contract is signed by the Bride and Groom and their witnesses

Jashn-e-Aroosi – The lavish feast that occurs afterwards.

You will see many posts dedicated to Persian weddings, because of the intricate planning that’s involved.  All the Iranian people that I know love the beautiful things in life – lavish flowers (my fav), family, dancing, celebrating, elegant displays of fresh food and fruit, vasts amount of jewelry.  Wow.  They love weddings – and so do I !

So, here are a few pictures of elegant and extravagant celebrations.

Thanks to our photographers

Merge Weddings, In the Now Weddings, David and Charlotte, Albert Tabibian

Happy planning!