Nashville Marathon Music Works Wedding with Traditional Sofreh Aghd
From Kasey Schaffer Luxury Weddings & Events:
Nastrin and Robby’s Wedding March 2019
Nastrin and Robby married at Marathon Music Works in Nashville, Tennessee in front of 300 friends and family. Their ceremony backdrop was a beautiful Persian Sofreh Aghd made by the Bride’s aunts.
This is a traditional wedding ceremony spread. Many symbolic items decorate the table and represent an element of the couple’s new life and marriage together. The word “sofreh” means “spread” and “aghd” means “ceremony”.
Vendors
Planning and Design: Kasey Schaffer Events
Photographer: Steph Sorenson
Florist: Kennedy Occasions
Rentals: Music City Tents
Catering: Flavor
Draping and Lighting: Southern Sky
Entertainment: Mockingbird Musicians and The Downtown Band
Cake: Publix
Hair and Makeup: Nashville Wedding Stylists
The Sofreh Aghd
More about the Sofreh Aghd: The information below is from “Pretty Please Design”
Shamdoon {Candles/candelabras}: Symbolize energy + clarity in the couple’s life together.
Khoncheh: An assortment of seven herbs + spices are placed on the spread to guard against the evil eye. Include are: poppy seeds “khash-khaash”, wild rice “berenj”, angelica “sabzi khoshk”, salt “namak”, nigella seeds “raziyaneh”, black tea “chai” + frankincense “kondor”.
Noon Sangak {Flatbread}: A decorative display of flatbread “noon-eh-sangak” symbolizes prosperity for the feasts + couple’s life together. It can be accompanied with feta cheese “noon-o-panir” + fresh herbs.
Tokmeh Morgh {Eggs}: Represent fertility for the couple.
Badoom, Gandom, o Gerdoo {Almond, walnut, + hazelnut}: Also symbolize fertility + abundance.
Meeveh {Seasonal fruits}: Usually pomegranates + apples. They represent a joyous future.
Shahkheh Nabat {Rock candy}: Prettified to symbolize a sweetened life for the newlyweds.
Sekkeh {Coins}: Represent wealth + prosperity for the couple.
Asal {Honey}: Consumed right as the ceremony concludes. The bride + groom exchange hands (usually with the pinky) dipped in the honey + shared off the hand to represent sweetness for the couple’s life.
Golaab {Rose water}: Used to perfume the air.
Holy Book of Choice: Symbolizes God’s blessing for the couple. The book is usually opened from the middle + placed on the spread in front of the couple as a symbol of faith.
Sheereeni {Sweets + pastries}: Shared with the guests after the ceremony concludes. Sheereeni symbolizes the sweetness of life.
Tooreh Ghand {Sugar cloth}: A fine fabric which is held over the couple’s head throughout the ceremony by various happily married female relatives + friends.
Kaleh Ghand {Sugar cones}: Used during the ceremony over the couple’s head. Happily married woman rub the sugar cones together over the “ghand cloth” while held over the couple’s head to shower their life + marriage with sweetness.
Esfand {Wild rue}: An herb which is burned as part of a ritual (in the coal brazier) + tradition for purification. It doesn’t always have to be burned + can be used as decorative display.
Soozan Nakh {Needle + thread} : Symbolizes the ritual of two people becoming one; two families becoming one.
Manghal {A coal brazier}: Used to burn wild rue (esphand) to drive away negativity + anything evil.
Termeh: A traditional Persian silk or embroidered cloth handed down from generation to generation to symbolize family + tradition. It is used as a decorative display amongst the rest of the traditional items.
Sofreh Overlay {Ceremonial cloth}: The spread used under all of the traditional sofreh items.
Mokhaddeh {Bride + groom’s seating}:Usually stools or some sort of cushion seating for the bride + groom to sit on during the ceremony exchange.
The Sofreh Aghd
They’re married!
The couple wanted to be surrounded by a unique design of string lights and lots of candle light.
After the Bride’s twin sister’s moving Maid of Honor speech, a delicious dinner by Flavor catering fueled guests for an all out dance party for the rest of the evening.
