Image courtesy of ShaneWebber.com
Weddings around the world symbolize a union between two people who are joining their lives together for eternity. Persian traditional weddings have different customs and beliefs that can vary in different parts of Iran. In some cases, Persian weddings are very similar to other wedding traditions you might know.
Guest lists commonly exceed over 400 guests and the wedding budget can rise to over $80,000. There are many similarities to other weddings you might see in the United States: long lavish white dresses for the bride, the first dance with the bride, and the roles of the groomsmen and bridesmaids.
Here are a few things that are unique in a Persian wedding.
Sofreh Aghd (Table of Wedding)
A long table at the wedding is filled with extravagant floral and food arrangements called the Sofreh Aghd. Among other decorations, there is also a mirror that is placed on top of the table called Aayeneh-ye Bakh, known as the mirror of fate. This mirror symbolizes fate bringing the couple together and joining them in holy matrimony for eternity.
Image courtesy of PersianWeddingOfficiant.org
The Sofreh Aghd also represents some of the gifts and blessings the guests bring to the couple in honor of their future life together. Behind the table with all the arrangements and decorations is the Mokhaddeh, the seat where the happy couple sits throughout their celebration. The Sofreh Aghd is always one of the main arrangements in a Persian wedding, bringing t...