Persian Wedding : Top 10 things to know about Planning Persian Wedding. Sofreh Aghd. Taroff Kardan.

1. Persian Weddings:
TOP 10 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT PLANNING A PERSIAN WEDDING
BY: CHRISTEN FLACK BEHZADI, MD FOR WEDDINGPERSIAN.COM

2. Copyright Notice
 Information & images are from The
Persian Wedding Book and
copyrighted with the U.S.
Copyright Office .
 Also Thanks to Emma K Studio
www.emmakstudio.com for
providing additional copyrighted
beautiful images of Persian
Weddings for use.
 Please email
easypersianwedding@gmail.com
for information regarding
copyright, use or distribution.

3. The Top 10 Things To Know When
Planning YOUR Fabulous Persian
Wedding!

4. # 1: There are 2 Persian Weddings
#1: A Religious Ceremony
(Aghd) on a Separate Day
#2: & A Cultural Ceremony
with or without religious
elements (Sofreh Aghd
Ceremony)

5. This means you may add one or more religious elements or
none to the Sofreh Aghd ceremony depending on the couple.
Above a Sofreh Aghd Ceremony with both Christian & Muslim
elements added. Note the Cross & Islamic Crescent flanking this
Sofreh Aghd Table.
* Be Sure to Check out our article Persian Wedding Vows to see the vows at the Sofreh
Aghd Ceremony with the places noted where religious elements are typically added or
omitted.

6. #2 The Guest List Should Be
Discussed ASAP  Historically speaking, in the Iranian
community weddings were & still are
considered a true community event.
 My father in law used to tell me stories
of how back home in Iran the Whole
Community would be invited openly
and warmly to local weddings. It was an
Open Door Policy when weddings were
concerned.
 Even outside of Iran it is considered a
priority by many to invite as many
people in the community as possible.
 This can easily lead to soaring guest lists
with even 300 or 400 guests considered
a relatively small wedding.

7. Although You might not mind the
enormous guest list……

8. At 3 am….

9. …In the middle of a bandari, Baba
Karam mix. Actually, you might just
be having the time of your life;
Persian Style….

10. #3 . White dresses are perfectly
acceptable attire for female
guests.  It is an Etiquette No No in
American Weddings.
 A guest would not dare wear a
white dress to an American
wedding unless stated as part of
the attire.
 In Persian Weddings white is
considered appropriate
 American brides you have been
warned! Be sure to make it known
if you want white reserved for the
bride only.

11. #4. Read the Persian Wedding
Book & Know the Culture
The Persian Wedding Book:
 The Persian wedding is like a
Persian tapestry: it can be
enjoyed without a historical or
scholarly understanding of the
meaning of all the symbols and
colors so beautifully evident
throughout. But understanding
can give that enjoyment an
added depth.
 Available on Amazon.com

12. # 5 Learn Some Farsi
 There are many events that make up
the Persian Wedding and smaller
informal meet & greet parties occur
frequently in the months and weeks
before the official ceremonial events.
 Nothing makes a better impression
than being able to greet & say a few
common phrases in Farsi.
 Go to itunes.com & download
Pimsleur’s Persian to your phone & play
it in the car. You’ll be speaking in no
time. And speaking WELL.
I have no financial ties to
this company. It is just the
best there is for learning
Persian quick.

13. #6. Always Bring a Gift …
 Avoid showing up empty handed to
an Iranian home.
 Be sure to bring a small gift.
 Check out weddingpersian.com
section on gift giving, guests,
hosting, etiquette for ideas.
 These are considered respectful gifts
of love.
 This is truly a moment where it is the
“thought that counts” and a small
box of fruit or chocolate is more than
sufficient.
 If you are in the lucky position to be
non-Iranian bringing anything will be
an unexpected, extremely welcome
warm loving nod to Iranian cultural
traditions – Can you say Bonus
Points!

14. # 7. Learn About Taroff Kardan
 This is an Iranian cultural tradition.
 Persian people are considered some of the
most polite in the world.
 The respectful & honored treatment of
guests is of the utmost importance. The
guests comfort is a #1 priority and any
courtesy will be extended to ensure any
guests complete satisfaction & comfort.
 An Example of Tarof Kardan would be a
guest admiring a beautiful piece of crystal
and the host saying “please take it” when
you politely decline they will insist to prove
their commitment to your happiness and
say “no I don’t want it, I insist you take it
please”
 It is not expected that you take the piece
of China. This is the host honoring you and
letting you know your comfort and
happiness is their only priority in their home.

15. #8. Talk Honestly About How
“Persian” You Want Your Wedding
To Be.  Couples are different and people are
different. Being respectful of each other
and each others wishes is key to a
successful wedding event.
 An American bride who has dreamed of
walking down the aisle and having a
traditional American wedding may not be
100% enthusiastic about a 600 guest Persian
wedding extravaganza. Some brides may
want to ditch the American customs all
together and go full force with a week long
wedding celebration in true Persian style
(like American bride, Dr. Christen Behzadi,
founder of weddingpersian.com did and
loved!).
 Knowing what you want and where you fall
is key to having an enjoyable event.
Adding Persian touches to American
weddings can be just as fun and exciting
for your guests as a full on Persian wedding.
Decide early and learn about the events
you want to host.

16. #9. Learn About Sofreh Aghd
(Persian Wedding Table)
 The Persian Wedding celebrations
culminate in a wedding ceremony
at in front of a beautiful custom
made wedding table. Each style is
different depending on the couple.
 Check www.weddingperisan.com
for many articles about the
meaning, history, preparation &
ceremonial rituals of this glorious
ceremony.

17. # 10. Learn to Persian Dance
Mohammad Khordadian
 You will be dancing a lot. Its worth it
for all my non-Persian brides to learn
a few moves for the dance floor.
 We have articles on
weddingpersian.com on learning to
Persian Dance and faking it until you
make it!
 Until then; check out some YouTube
videos of the KING of Persian Dance
Mr. Mohammad Khordadian himself!
Watch a few, you’ll be dancing
Persian Style in no time!

18. Beautiful Iran: Tehran & Esfahan

19. If You are a photographer, Sofreh
designer or planner and have
beautiful images of Persian
Weddings you would like included
in future presentations to help
showcase the BEST of THE BEST in
Persian Weddings and promote
your business email Christen @
EasyPersianWedding@gmail.com

20. Persian Wedding Vendor Spotlight:
Emma K Studios Photography

21. Dr. Christen Flack Behzadi, MD
THANK YOU!
For more information please
pick up my book: The Persian
Wedding Book: How to have
a Persian Wedding When
You Have No Idea What
Persian Means on
Amazon.com
I’ll See you at
WEDDINGPERSIAN.COM for
Much more information on
making your wedding a
huge success!
You can email me @
easypersianwedding@gmail.
com