Persian Wedding

[Rasputin]

The Ceremony & the Language

Both bride and groom provide a witness, typically an older married male such as the fathers, older brother or similar. In traditional Persian weddings, the ceremony consists of preliminary blessings and questions to the witnesses, guardians and the couple. After the preliminary blessings and a few words about the importance of the institution of marriage, the officiant typically confirms with both parents that he can proceed with no objections. Then he asks the mutual consent of the couple. First the groom is asked if he wishes to enter into the marriage contract. Then the bride is asked the same question. Here, the bride traditionally plays shy and makes the groom wait for her hand in marriage by not answering the question right away. The guests scream in the background, “she is not here” or “the bride has gone to pick some flowers” or “the bride is thinking”. She has to wait and not answer the question until it is asked a third time. She then says yes on the third try and they are pronounced husband and wife. During the service and the readings, married female relatives of the couple hold over the couple's head a white silky Ghand cloth. Two pieces of crystallized sugar called Kalleh Ghand shaped like cones are rubbed together, showering the couple with white powder. This symbolic act is meant to sweeten the couple's life. In addition, a small part of the the Ghand cloth, maybe on the left side of the couple is sewn together with needle and thread to symbolize sewing the mother-in-law's lips together. In today’s weddings, you may choose to skip this part. Others prefer to say that is symblizes sewing the lips of "nay-sayers", which may be a better explanation for the tradition. You may also have your bridesmaids hold the ends of the cloth but be sure to have married friends or relatives rubbing the sugar on the Ghand cloth. Also, you may modify the traditional readings from the Koran to shorten them, or replace them with beautiful poems to your liking. Today’s officiants are very flexible and will do as asked. In addition, remember to have the ceremony also read in other languages that may be appropriate to the guests. In a bicultural wedding, ceremonies can be done in Farsi, English, and a third or fourth language depending on the origin of the couple.

[Rasputin]

Husband & Wife

Once the couple is pronounced husband and wife, the officiant asks for God's blessing to be with the couple in their lives together. The bride and groom exchange rings and kiss. At this point, the honey is also presented to the happy couple. Here, the groom dips his finger into the honey and gives some to the bride. She does the same in turn and they are ensured a sweet and happy life together. The legal documents are signed by the couple and the witnesses and the wedding party hands out sweets, and pastries from the sofreh to the guests. Items from the sofreh are always thought to be blessed and bring good luck and great fortune. Bride and groom give each other more sweets such as sweet almonds and nuts. They may then proceed to light the candles on either side of the mirror, one for the bride and one for the groom to symbolize light in their new life.

[Rasputin]

Jashne Aroosi - The Wedding Party

The aroosi is the big celebration following the Aghd ceremony, which is the official and contractual marriage ceremony. The aroosi, similar to a reception, can be celebrated right after the aghd or up to a year after it. In modern times, couples opt to have minimal to lavish receptions with buffets, dinners and lots of dancing. This is very similar to a western style wedding party. Entertainment, and DJ’s can provide a festive mood and atmosphere for the big celebration. Iranians are great lovers of dance so be sure to include lots of Persian music, even if your event is mixed or bicultural. The location is also very important and can be a home, a hotel reception hall, a museum or the great outdoors. Traditionally, the wedding party is paid for by the groom’s family but this no longer applies to modern couples. A wedding cake is very traditional and sweetens the union at the end of the night. Pick a cake that is personal and significant to your unique taste. Iranians tend to party into the wee hours of the night, so be sure you have a good DJ, lots of food and drink and your dancing shoes on.

[Rasputin]

The wedding Dinner & reception

Traditional dinner in Persian weddings is served buffet style and is not as formal as its Western counterpart. A very traditional and delicious dish to serve is Javaher Polo, which is considered to be the King of Persian dishes. Javaher means jewelry and Polo is rice. The dish is made of orange peel, almonds, sugar, barberries, and pistachios. Not only is this dish tasty, but it is also aesthetically beautiful with different colors representing jewels such as diamonds, rubies and emeralds for the marriage. For more recipes and dinner ideas be sure to consult the cuisine section of our guide.


the First Dance

More and more weddings have a first dance where the couple officially opens the dance floor. We highly recommend dance classes that will prepare you for this event so that you can dazzle your friends and family on this special occasion. Our guide features exclusive information on where you can get dance lessons. Be sure to make the dance personal and memorable based on your own uniqueness and favorite songs. We also features a cultural section on Persian dance in case you are interested in performing a traditional Persian dance.

[Rasputin]

wedding Entertainment
Perhaps one of the most important elements of Persian life and culture, which can be celebrated during the wedding, is Persian music. Not only should you make sure that you play the right tunes during the Aghd, but you can also infuse the party with Iranian elements if you use great songs from Iran’s great dance repertoire. Iranians love to dance and you better be sure that your band or DJ knows this. These days there are many local DJ’s who have great Iranian dance tunes. Some of the classic tunes we recommend looking into include:

Baba Karam
Mobarak Baad (this is to be played right before the ceremony)
Aroosi Bandari
Aroos O Damad
Khastergari
Aroose Naaz
Shaadoomad
Ghaasem Abaadi

Be sure to bring a few cousins who know the songs or some people who love to dance and have fun. In addition, you may consider hiring a live band. There are many that will perform or play a variety of Persian and Pop songs. Use our guide to find your ideal entertainment. Consider tunes that are great to dance to, no matter the origin or time. We prefer DJ’s to bands because that way you can also include other songs from other culture if your wedding is bicultural or if you want to feature dance tunes from all over the world.

[Rasputin]

wedding Photography & Video

It’s true when they say that the day goes by very fast and the next thing you know you are looking at the pictures or the video of your wedding. If this is going to be your memory of it, then do your research in finding the perfect photographer. Look for someone who can take charge and lead groups of people. Weddings are incredibly hectic and the last thing you want is a soft-spoken photographer. Also, make sure that you look at plenty of his/her sample work and have the same artistic vision and dream of your big day. The same applies for your Video crew. We have provided a comprehensive list of resources for your to choose from. Be sure to explain any important cultural aspects of the wedding such as the Aghd so that their crew is ready and can take shots from the right angles. Explain your day and your ceremony in plenty of detail before hand and be sure they know to capture the details of your day.

The wedding Cake

The cake is a great addition to a wedding, sweetening the life of the couple even more than honey and shirini. For this reason, you may want to pick a cake that suits your taste and has some meaning to your partner. These days, bakers create the most beautiful and modern cakes that defy convention. For a full list of bakers, including Iranian cake makers, go to our resource guide.

[Rasputin]

Pa Takhty - the day after the wedding

This phrase has a literal translation of “by the bed”. It is the ceremony that takes place the day after the wedding when friends and relatives of the couple are invited to pay a visit to the newly weds to offer blessings and more gifts. At the Pa Takhty, the couple is officially considered married.

[Rasputin]

با توجه به بالارفتن سن ازدواج دختران و پسران و نیازها و مشکلات موجود هم اکنون حدود 80 در صد ازدواجها د جامعه از روی اجبار صورت می گیرد و همین امر مشکلات بیشماری در زندگی آینده آنها و فرزندانشان ایجاد می کند و در نهایت اکثر ازدواجهای اجباری به شکست و جدایی منجر می شود.
درحال حاضر سن ازدواج پسران به 35 سال و دختران به 28 سال افزایش یافته و همین امر باعث شده دختران برای رهایی از سرکوفت ها ، فشارها و مشکلاتی که در خانواده برایشان به وجود می آید راضی به ازدواج با مردان مسن و یا پسرانی شوند که از نظر تحصیلات ، خانوادگی و دارایی بسیار پایین تر از خودشان و یا در حد صفر هستند .
این گونه ازدواجهای اجباری مشکلات بیشماری را در زندگی آینده آنها ایجاد می کند و اکثرا نیز منجر به طلاق می شود .
با اینکه سن ازدواج پسران بالا رفته اما در این شرایط نیز آنها در آمد کافی برای اداره کردن یک زندگی را ندارند و حتی نمی توانند هزینه اجاره خانه خود را نیز بپردازند به همین دلیل سعی می کنند به سراغ دخترانی بروند که از نظر خانوادگی وضعیت مالی خوبی دارند و از این طریق بتوانند خود را بالا بکشند.
آمارهای غلطی که امروزه شاهد ارایه آنها از سوی نهادها و ارگانهای مختلفی هستیم باعث ایجاد نگرانی در دختران می شود و همین امر موجب می شود آنها به ازدواج اجباری شوند در صورتی که این آمارها اصلا صحت ندارد و در مجموع تعداد دختران شاید 400 هزار نفر از پسران بیشتر باشد

[Rasputin]

لباسهای عروس و داماد از ديرباز هر دو به رنگ سفيد بوده و در اين مراسم گل به گردن داشته اند. اين رسم آئينی زرتشتی است و هنوز در هند و پاکستان مرسوم است که رنگ سفيد سمبل خلوص و پاکی و بيگناهی است.

سفره عقد بايد به روی زمين چيده شود و عروس و داماد در پائين سفره می نشينند . عقد در خانه پدر عروس برگزار می شود . عروس زمانی وارد مجلس می شود که تمامی مهمانها آمده باشند و داماد بايد در طرف راست عروس بنشيند که اين نيز بازمی گردد به آئينی زرتشتی . برای سفره عقد معمولا از يک تکه ترمه قديمی که نسل اندر نسل به خانواده عروس رسيده استفاده می شود. معمولا ترمه در وسط يک پارچه سفيد قرار می گيرد که وسايل عقد بر روی آن چيده می شود

وسايل عقد معمولا عبارتند از

۱- آئينه بخت و دو شمعدان (که سمبل روشنائی هستند و طبق سنن زرتشتی داماد بايد ورود عروس را از آن آئينه ببيند)
۲- سينی عاطل و باطل که تشکيل شده است از هفت دانه و ادويه. خشخاش – برنج – سبزی خوردن – نمک (برای دور کردن چشم شيطان) – رازيانه – چای- کندر (برای دور کردن چشم شيطان)
۳- نان سنگک که معمولا با خط خوش بر روی آن می نويسند "مبارک باد" که همراه با سبزی و پنير است. (عروس و داماد بايد از آن بخورند تا شادی به خانه آنها بيايد)
۴- يک ظرف انار يا سيب
۵- تخم مرغ – بادام – فندق
۶- گلاب
۷- شاخه نبات (برای شروع زندگی شيرين)
۸- منقل آتش (برای دور نگهداشتن چشم بد از عروس)
۹- سکه طلا
۱۰ – اسپند
۱۱ – دستمالی سفيد بالای سر عروس (دستمالی که معمولا بر روی سر عروس و داماد گرفته می شود و با سوزن و نخ هفت رنگ به نشانه بستن دهان خانواده شوهر دوخته می شود)
۱۲- دو عد کله قند
۱۳- يک ظرف عسل (به مناسبت شروع زندگی شيرين)
۱۴- نقل – باقلوا – توت شکری – نا ن برنجی – نان نخودچی – نان بادامی – سوهان عسلی
۱۵- قرآن ( که در ابتدا از اوستا بجای آن استفاده می شده)
۱۶- جانماز

خطبه عقد در حضور بزرگان خانواده خوانده می شود و بعد از آن حلقه ها رد و بدل می شود و عسل خورده می شود . بعد از آن مهمانان نزديک خانواده به عروس و داماد جواهرات و سکه های طلا هديه می دهند.

بعد از آن وارد بخش عروسی می شويم ميهانان بيشتری اضافه می شوند و معمولا مراسم رقص در اين زمان برگزار می شود . بعد از ان عروس و داماد برای صرف شام می روند و ميهمانان به آنها اضافه می شوند. بعد از صرف شام کيک بريده می شود و عروس و داماد بعد از اتمام مراسم به خانه خودشان می روند.

در حال حاضر برخی عناصر، رسوم و آداب غربی و همچنين پاره ای از سنن قديمی ايرانی به اين مراسم اضافه شده است از قبيل حنا بندان، پاتختی، که مجددا در بين خانواده های ايرانی خيلی طرفدار پيدا کرده است.

آرايش مو و صورت عروس و خانواده ی او

رفتن به ماه عسل، ورود عروس با ماشين تزئين شده با گل، تزئين اتاق عقد همه رسومی است که از آداب غربی به عروسی های کنونی وارد شده است. و تکنولژی جديد که امکان گرفتن فيلم و ويدئو و دی وی دی را از مراسم می دهد و يکی از بخش های مهم عروسی در حال حاضر می باشد. و نهايتا بعضی از رسوم که ريشه آنها معلوم نيست از کجاست مثل خاموش کردن شمع در شب عروسی با کفش عروس يا گلبرگ که اين نمی تواند رسمی زرتشتی باشد چون بی احترامی به آتش است
يا نمونه ای ديگر رقصی است که جديدا در هنگام بريدن کيک عروسی معمولا توسط خواهر عروس يا يکی از نزديکان وی با چاقو نزيک به محل ايستادن عروس و داماد انجام می شود و اين رقص آنقدر ادامه پيدا می کند تا بالاخره چاقو به دست عروس و داماد می رسد و کيک عروسی بريده می شود. و همچنين تزئينات اتاق عقد و سفره عقد که تمامی بوسيله سليقه ای شخصی و خانگی معمولا به مراسم اضافه می شود و در بعضی ازموارد از دکوراتور استفاده می شود و يا بصورت آماده خريداری می شود.

[mahsaak]

wwwwwwwwwwwooooooooowwwwwwwww
mersi siamak joon . enshala aroosie khodet bashe khodam biam unja barat sofre aghd bechinam. khodaye man mishe man aroosie dash sia moono bebinam??!!!!

[Rasputin]

لباس عروس یکی از مهمترین و یکی از اجزای نسبتا گران یک عروسی است . با وجود این گرانی، لباس یکی از چيزهايی است که عروسها کمتر حاضر به قبول چیزی کمتر از لباس رویایی خود می شوند.

به گفته خانم دهقانی که سالیان زیادی در کار دوخت لباس عروس فعاليت می کند، هر دختری از بچگی رویایی از لباس عروسی خودش در ذهن دارد و از آنجایی که عروسی فقط یک شب است، برايش خیلی مهم است که لباسی که آن شب بر تن میکند شبیه رویایش باشد. به گفته خانم دهقانی هزینه یک لباس عروس را بین 400 تا 700 هزار تومان تخمین می زنند، که این تفاوت قیمت به غیر از نوع پارچه، به نسبت زیاد بستگی به میزان کار دستی است که بر روی لباس انجام می شود، دارد.

آرایش عروس هم یکی دیگر از اجزای پر خرج و مهم یک عروسی است. در حال حاضر مدلهای متفاوتی در ایران رایج است ولی مدل عربی یکی از مدلهایی است که طرفدارن زیادی دارد. در این مدل بیشتر از نگینهای رنگی متفاوت بری صورت و موها استفاده می شود. این نگینها به شکلهای متفاوت است مانند ماه، ستاره و حتی حلزون.

به گفته خانم هما، مدیر یک سالن آرایش در تهران، هزینه ( فقط) آرایش عروس از 40 هزار تا 600 هزار تومان می رسد.

عروسی، نماد مصرفگرایی جامعه ایران

به گفته خانم تقی زاده برای پیدان کردن ریشه های تجملی و پرهزینه شدن عروسی در ایران باید به وضعیت جامعه ایران نگاه کرد. جامعه کنونی ابران، جامعه ای است که شرایط سختی، انقلاب و جنگ، را پشت سر گذاشته و پس از مدتها وقت این را پیدا کرده که به مسایل دیگری فکر کند. همچنین به عقیده او تلويزیونهای ماهواره ای یکی ازعلل گسترش این سیل جدید مصرف گرایی در ایران است.

دلیل دیگر را باید در رابطه اقتصادی بین خانواده های عروس و داماد جستجو کرد. بر اساس سنت رایج خانواده عروس مسوول تهیه جهیزیه و سیسمونی و خانواده داماد مهریه را بر عهده گرفته و بیشتر مواقع هزینه برگزاری عروسی بر عهده هر دو طرف است. ولی از آنجایی که گرفتن مهریه زیاد رایج نیست، مراسم عروسی تنها جایی است که خانواده عروس می توانند فکر کند که خانواده داماد هم به اندازه آنها خرج می کند!

[golgol85]

persian weddings are beautiful! kharejiha kheili khosheshoon miyad az aroosihaye irooni, chon kheili ba shokooh hastan va ye halo havaye khaasi daran

[nanakhafan]

man faghat az eyjash khosham miad
oonjash ke aroos mige : ba ejazeye bozorg tara baleeeeeeeeeee

[golgol85]

im still a bit peeved ke cherea dokhtar bayad az bozorgtara ejaze begire, vali pesareh az khodesh bazi dokhtara migan: ba ejazaye pedar madaram, pedar madare *blank* (you can fill in the blank with the name of the guy you want to marry) va baghiyeye bozorgtar ha, baleeeh. adam barayeh ehteram niceh ke ino bege, vali khosham nemiyad personally.

[Rasputin]

The history of Persian weddings goes back to times of Zoroaster and traditions that have been celebrated for centuries. As such today's Iranians celebrate along the same lines regardless of what their faith might be. Much like Norooz, the Persian wedding is about celebrating life, wealth, health, and union, and is rooted in nature. So regardless of what you believe in, you will most like have a Sofreh Aghd at your wedding, to celebrate the union in a fun and traditional way.

The union of man and woman is considered sacred and exemplifies the ultimate joy and the greatest form of partnership. Man and woman are told to respect, love, and protect each other as described in this exerpt from an ancient Zoroastrian text:

'I say (these) words to you, marrying brides and bridegrooms! Impress them upon your mind: May you two enjoy the life of good mind by following the laws of religion. Let each one of you clothe the other with righteousness. Then assuredly there will be a happy life for you'.

[Yasna 53.5, ancient Zoroastrian textbook']



Persian weddings have also been duely influenced by the legal protection that is provided in Islam to the woman in the form of a “Mehr” which is the financial protection provided. Iranian weddings are celebrated with glory, distinction, and a large assembly of family and friends. Iranians consider this to be one of the most important of all occasions. In the past marriages were mostly arranged by the parents and older members of the family. This tradition is very dated and has not been practiced for over 2 generations, although family consent, as in any culture, is still valued. In ancient times, musicians announced the wedding to the town by playing the drums. The group that gathered for the marriage was called the assembly for the queenly bride. Traditionally, both the bride and the bridegroom dressed in white with garlands of flower on their necks. The color white is a symbol of purity, innocence and faithfulness. There are variations and differences in smaller villages and older towns, where some tribes hold on to older traditions and rituals, which may vary from the modern wedding.




Persian Weddings are usually beautiful and elaborate functions that consist of many different traditions and parts. Before the wedding ceremonies and parties begin, the couple needs to get engaged. In modern times, couples decide to get married and usually the groom-to-be will ask the father of the bride-to-be for her hand in marriage. This is a tradition that many culture keep in showing respect for the elderly. It is important though to also respect the traditions of each person and family, so that other ways of celebration should always be considered.

The typical Iranian wedding these days consists of two parts:

1. The Aghd. The Aghd is the legal ceremony that takes place where the officiant declares the couple husband and wife and a legal contract is signed. Here, the elaborate 'Sofreh Aghd', which is the spread of union for the couple is displayed.


2. The Aroosi. The second part of a Persian wedding is the Aroosi, which is the wedding party that follows the Aghd, either immediately or some time later. Here families and friends gather to celebrate the couple's union.