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.

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.

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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:

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.

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.

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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.

some Wedding Favor ideas

Traditional wedding favors in Iran are sweets such as Jordan Almonds or Noghl & Ajil from the sofreh wrapped in pink or white tulle. Occasionally they throw small gold coins in the wraps to represent happy fortunes. These favors are very old fashioned and are recommended only if you are trying to evoke that old-Iran feeling. There are so many beautiful modern, customized favors to choose from these days, that it becomes quite a challenge. We like to mix the old with the new, and suggest having the Jordan Almonds or better yet, real Persian pistachios in a modern package. You can use color paper bags decorated with customized ribbons, elegant tin cans, or even an updated tulle wrap.
If you are still not convinced that the old way is the good way, you can see if any of these favor ideas sound fabulous for you

Top 10 Wedding Party Tips

1. Keep the food and drinks simple and light.
2. If you decide to serve beer, offer a regular and a light version.
3. If you decide to serve wine, offer a good red maybe a merlot and good white, maybe a chardonnay.
4. For soft drinks, we recommend offering Coke, Diet Coke, 7-up, and Ginger Ale.
5. Don't forget to serve bottled water and provide plenty of ice.
6. Create your own signature Wedding drink as the special drink of the evening. Serve martinis in martini glasses
7. Have enough glasses, but not five different kinds.
8. Feature Persian dishes that are typical of weddings such as Shirin Polo. See our Cuisine guide for more ideas
9. Also feature a vegetarian dish and a non-Persian dish for those who want something more usual.
10. Get plenty of napkins and count 2.5 glasses per guest.

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PERSIAN WEDDING Speech Do's and Don't

Giving a speech can be intimidating but it can also be fun. At a Persian wedding, you may want to stay clear of jokes in poor taste and anything that is not fit for the ears of anyone's grandmother. Here are some do's and don'ts to make sure your speech will be go over well with the families, friends and co-workers of the happy couple:

2. DO get inspired by quotations, poems, and real life stories that are appropriate, funny and clean.

3. DON'T memorize the speech as it will sound fake. But take time to practice giving it in front of a mirror or an audience to the point that you are very familiar with its content.

4. DO get there early. Make yourself familiar to the surrounding so that you are comfortable and confident in your position. Walk around the room, and introducing yourself to guests.

5. DON'T rush through the speech. Relax, breathe, and exhale to allow for pauses between words. Stand tall and straight, enunciating your words and making eye contact with the audience.

6. DO use funny stories and past jokes but make sure it is clean and can be heard by grandmother and the bride's father. Keep your audience in mind and do not say things that may hurt anyone's feelings.

7. DON'T apologize about anything. If you don't highlight your mistakes, the audience will not even notice.

8. DO thank the whole wedding party and pay compliments to those who organized and are closely related to the event.

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What to Wear TO an Iranian Wedding

Iranian weddings and mixed weddings are abundant all over the world these days. The most popular month for these weddings is, of course, the summer when the weather and the Iranian crowds put extra pressure on that ever-present question: "What should I wear?" In this guide, we present our top tips and rules for a hassle-free event where you won't feel under-dressed or over-the-top at your next Iranian wedding.

If you have ever been to an Iranian wedding, or a mixed wedding with an Iranian side, then you will notice that some guests, perhaps more the older generations, are dressed in the brightest, biggest, shiniest, and boldest outfits you have ever seen. If you have never been to an Iranian wedding, then it's best to come prepared for this extravaganza, as it is the ultimate mehmooni. Because weddings are festive occasions, some Iranians treat them as a star would the Oscars. They pull out their ball gowns, their couture and all their biggest jewelry pieces from their best gold to the most eye-catching bling bling. Perhaps the best way to create a balance between the old and the new and the humble and the proud, is to keep a few key pointers in mind. When getting ready for your next big Iranian wedding consider:

1. Your Age - If you are a younger person, don't be shy to put on some fresh colorful clothes or to experiment with new styles. Stay away from the boring blacks. Color is in again and the pinks, reds, oranges and bright greens go well with the younger look. If you are older, consider toning the overall color of the dress down but add sparkle and brightness by mixing in deeper reds, purples or oranges. A good way to add zest for both young and old of course is with jewelry. Silver, gold, platinum, and diamonds will all glam up your outfit no matter what.

2. Your Body Shape - You want to look good, so do consider your body shape and what will fit you best. Generally if you feel good in an outfit, you will look even better in it. Do not wear clothes that are too tight, or too revealing. Always accentuate your best features. Do wear a long skirt to enlongate your legs. Elegance is always in how you carry yourself and behave, not in how low your skirt is or how much cleavage you choose to reveal at someone else's wedding.

3. Time of Day - Naturally the time of day will have a lot to do with how you dress. If you are attending an afternoon Sunday wedding, you may consider a summer dress that is less formal. Generally the earlier the wedding, the less formal. A simple wedding with an early brunch in someone's backyard will be very different from an evening gala wedding at the Museum of Natural History. Dress formally for evening weddings, considering a tuxedo for men, or ball gowns for women. Remember that if you like to wear simple clothes, you can do so. Just add a special accesssory to the outfit so that you don't feel underdressed. This could be a diamond necklace, a beautiful watch or anything that makes you feel glamorous.

4. The Crowd - Consider the wedding couple, their style, and the style of their friends and family. You probably have a good idea of how formal or informal they would be. Generally, if the couple is mixed, then there is less pressue and expectation to get too formal. The wedding invitation should also include a hint of the dress code.

5. Have Fun - The best remedy for not getting caught up in the Iranian wedding fashion dilemma is to come with an open mind, your dancing shoes, and a great gift for the couple. Take loads of pictures and make the night a memoriable event for yourself and the bride and groom.

Have fun and be sure to write us if you come across any funny Iranian wedding fashion catastrophes!

Useful Persian Wedding Vocabulary

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