Iranian Culture - The Persian Wedding Spread - The Sofreh Aghd
Mariam Noronha
Persian weddings are celebrations that are marked with lots of food, music, laughter and love. The sofreh aghd is the wedding spread which is the centerpiece of all Persian weddings.
In recent times the sofreh aghd has become a blend of the traditional and the contemporary. Color, elegance and a personal touch all make the sofreh aghd a reflection of the hopes and aspirations of the newly married couple.
Contrary to common belief the sofreh aghd has its roots in the Zoroastrian faith and not in Islam. Despite the diversity of the Iranian populace the sofreh is usually present in all Persian weddings regardless of faith.
The sofreh means a "spread" like a table or food spread and is common in all Persian celebrations particularly for Navroz, the Iranian New Year.
Traditionally the spread is prepared for the bride and groom and it has great significance primarily because it is hoped that its contents will be a part of the couple's married life. It is customary to lay the sofreh aghd on the floor facing the east so that the couple in turn will face the light. Traditional cloth sofrehs are commonly used but nowadays people have graduated to using decorative ones made of silk, satin and lace. The sofreh must be laid out in the room where the wedding is going to take place.
Laying out a sofreh which is beautiful to look at and reflects the personalities of the bride and groom together with their culture and heritage requires some planning and an eye for detail. Here are some tips to help you along the way:
The floor is the best place to lay the wedding spread. Whether you go with the traditional cloth sofreh or a modern one is entirely up to but laying the spread on a carpet or rug will give it support and prevent it from moving.
Talk to your family and friends for ideas to make the sofreh more personal and interesting. Every Persian mother has many hopes and aspirations for her daughter's sofreh aghd which is why it would be a good time to seek her advice on the same. The older people in the family or your circle of friends will be more familiar with customs and traditions and will be able to guide you better.
It is a good idea to plan and get the contents of the spread at least one day ahead of the event barring things like fresh flowers. That way you won't miss anything.
Put someone in charge of planning the purchases for the spread and laying it out. Ideally this person should be someone who has had experience with Persian weddings and the customs associated with them.
If the bride and groom belong to different cultures putting symbols of each of their heritages will give the spread a more personal touch.
Remember personalization is the key to a beautiful wedding spread. So don't let traditions bog you down. Add that family portrait or your favorite savories to your spread and revel in your individuality.
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