Persian Weddings: Sofreh Aghd

{Persian wedding at the Fairbanks Ranch Club. See more Persian Glamour}

Persian weddings are so rich in Islamic traditions, and their rituals and decor reflect the elegance and mystique of the Middle East. The “Sofreh Aghd” or sometimes spelled “sofrehye aghd” is a ceremonial spread used during the wedding ceremony, the first stage of a traditional Persian marriage. Usually set on the floor, facing the east or direction of sunrise, the elaborate spread is full of food and decor. These items include:

-The Mirror of Fate and two candelabras which symbolize light and fire, and the brightness of the bride and groom’s future.

-The Seven Herbs/Seeds: poppy, rice, angelica, salt, nigella seeds, chai, frankincense/kondor (to burn the bad spirits)

-The Blessed Bread:  a specially baked flatbread with a blessing written in calligraphy on it

-Symbols of Fertility: a basket of decorated eggs, almonds, walnuts, and hazelnuts

-Heavenly Fruits: a basket of pomegranates and apples

-Sweets and pastries: to be served to guests after the ceremony, and usually include: naan-berenji, baklava, noghl, tout, naan-badoomi, naan-nokhodchi, and sohaan a’sali

-Rose: a cup of rose water and a rose extracted from the Persian flower, Gol-e Mohammadi

-Honey: a cup of honey to sweeten life. After the ceremony, the bride and groom each dip a pinky finger into the cup and feed each other

-Silk shawl: or any fine fabric to be held over the couple’s heads for the grinding of the sugar candies

-Kalleh Ghand: rock sugar that is ground atop of the couple’s heads while they wear a scarf, to symbolize sweetness and happiness

-A needle and seven strands of colored thread: Meant to figuratively sew up the mother-in-law’s lips from speaking badly of the bride. This same shawl that is held over the couple’s heads throughout the ceremony will have a corner sewn in using the needle and threads

-The Sacred Text: a bible or Qu’ran or Torah to symbolize God’s blessing of the couple

-Prayer Rug/Kit: a prayer rug is placed in the center of the sofreh aghd to remind the couple of the importance of prayer to God during happy and trying times. The prayer rug also has  prayer beads or a cube of clay with prayers written on it

-Gold Coins: a bowl of coins to represent prosperity and wealth

-Esphand: The sphand or frankincense is sprinkled over a brazier holding hot coals as a purification rite. The smoke produced is thought to ward off evil spirits, keeping the evil eye away and bringing on good health

By tradition, the sofreh aghd is held at the bride’s parent’s house.

{Loved this Persian wedding in Italy? This sofreh aghd was created in the U.S. and then flown out to Italy! See more at Destination Real Wedding}

{Here’s a gorgeous shot of the sofreh aghd we created for a couple we worked with. Photo taken by True Photography}

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