The Persian "Royal Wedding" of 2011

This year was the year of the Royal Wedding(s). First there was England's William & Katherine. And then the US had it's own sort of American Royal wedding when Kim Kardashian & her husband Kris wed. And finally, we at "Sofreh Atelier" were involved in an Iranian Royal Wedding!

This was the wedding of Saranaz & Chris which took place at the Four Seasons hotel in Georgetown, DC. Our lovely bride Sara is a relative of Iran's royal family the Pahlavis. With the queen Farah Pahlavi, her son Reza Pahlavi and his wife Yasmine as the witnesses to the aghd ceremony, this wedding was truly special. And it was very fitting for the bride and her sweet mom Ladan to request a very traditional Persian Sofreh Aghd. We had a great time designing it and seeing their reaction. It was also a great pleasure to work with photographer extraordinaire Clay Blackmore of Clay & Co. who incidentally shot the wedding of Kardashian mom Kris to her husband Bruce Jennar 20 years ago! Here are some of the pictures him and his team took of the Sofreh and ceremony!

Venue: Four Seasons Hotel in Georgetown, DC
Florist: Multiflor
DJ: Exclusively Entertainment
MC: Iman Huschmand

Lastly, it was such a pleasure to work with Four Seasons' Tina Nader & David Anderson. Thanks guys for always making our job so much easier!

Gold & Coral Sofreh Aghd

So here's another one of this summer's sofrehs. We tend to have a lot of bi-cultural weddings; where either the bride or the groom isn't Persian. These tend to be a lot of fun for us because the non-Persian side is always fascinated with the Sofreh Aghd and it's symbolism.

For this particular wedding, we had the pleasure of working with Sarah. Sarah, an American bride marrying a Persian, was in every way the ideal client and we loved working with her! Sarah wanted a gold tone Sofreh and her flowers were coral to match the bridesmaids dresses. This wedding took place over memorial weekend at the Alexandria Hilton. Congrats Sarah & Kamran!

Florist- Bloom Fresh flowers
Videography- Buerhaus Design
Photography- Anne Lord

Here's a VIDEO highlight of their wedding.

Omni wedding- professional pictures

As promised, we are so excited to share with you Kimya and Brian's professional wedding photos. Anne and Bill of Holland Photo Arts are a husband and wife photography team whose talent is extraordinary. Their name is so befitting as every photograph they snap is not just an image but art. Anyway, we'll let the pictures speak for themselves.







and the details... (we LOVE details!)





finally, how could we end this post without showing off some of the hard work and talent of EVOKE at the rest of the wedding?!







Event planner: Jodi Moraru of Evoke DC
Venue & Catering: Omni Shoreham
Photography: Holland Photo Arts
Photo Booth: SnapHappy Studio by Holland Photo Arts
Florist: Philippa Tarrant
Make-up Artist: Nour Kazoun
Hair styling: Remona Soleimani
Video: Suburban Video
Lighting: Atmosphere Lighting
Gown: Judd Waddell
Cake: Maggie Austin
Groom’s Cake & Cupcakes: Fancy Cakes by Leslie
Reception music: Source band

Fabulous Sofreh Aghd at the Omni!

On Saturday May 21st, we had the pleasure of doing the Sofreh Aghd of Kimya and Brian at the Omni Shoreham hotel in Washington, DC. Though we didn't have the pleasure of meeting the couple before the wedding, we worked with Kimya's amazing mom Susan to make this happen. This family wanted a traditional Sofreh Aghd set on a champagne base fabric with accent colors of purple/navy, white and green. This event was grandiose on every level yet still very classy and elegant. The sofreh was set in the garden of the hotel with the beautifully decorated gazebo as the background. The talented Philippa Tarrant did her magic with flowers... her arrangements are breathtaking! As always, it was a pleasure to work with Jodi and the rest of her team at EVOKE! They put on a spectacular wedding. Will be sure to post the professional photos as soon as we have them!

ps getting sunburn on our backs from working in the sun all day was totally worth it!

Persian Wedding photographer- Moshe Zusman

As you know, from time to time we showcase our favorite vendors. So here's a post we've been meaning to do for a long time.

Persian weddings have a lot of details and customs that are so beautiful. When choosing a photographer, one must be sure he or she is familiar with these rituals in order to make sure the precious moments are captured. If you're having a Persian wedding, the talented Moshe Zusman is the man to hire to capture it. His photography is so artistic and edgy. Check out his Blog post specifically for Persian Weddings!

and here are some more of his pictures!

A signature Modern "Sofreh Aghd" in paradise

Around two weeks ago, we had the pleasure of doing a one-of-a-kind Sofreh for Gisel and Omid Kordestani on the Island of St Barts. From the moment we heard from the well-known San Francisco based event designer Robert Fountain about this wedding, we knew it would be such a special experience. And we were so honored to be chosen to be a part of it! Our sweet bride and groom wanted a very upscale, modern Sofreh Aghd that was still complete in tradition and symbolism. They also wanted to be sure that their Sofreh had pops of color (red, orange, green and purple) without it being too overwhelming. And so, even though we had a very short time to put this together, it was such a fun project and we loved the challenge!

Situated inside a pool in a very modern Villa that was overlooking the ocean, this unique Sofreh Aghd included a pair of amazing Baccarat crystal candelabras and a vintage modern-style venetian mirror. The mixture of our traditional silver dishes with our handmade modern symbols, crystal and glass, set the perfect tone for this Persian/French destination wedding. And the custom made flower arrangements made it complete and perfect! Congratulations to the lovely couple! We were so pleased to be able to see your reaction and be a part of your beautiful day.

Buying your "ayneh shamdoon"

Traditionally gifted from the groom, an ‘ayeneh bakht’ (ornate mirror of fate) and a pair of shamdoon (candelabras or candleholders), symbolize the union of energy and life. The mirror of fate which represents a bright future is the focal point of the ‘sofreh’, while the two candelabras on either side of the mirror, one represent the bride and the groom. How beautiful is it that as the couple sit to be married, the first thing they see is the reflection of their future spouse.


How to choose the right “ayneh shamdoon”?

Nowadays, a lot of our clients rent these items from us with the rest of their sofreh. But some still want to buy their own to keep. Here are a few guidelines to go by if you are purchasing your own.

Above all, the mirror and candelabras you choose for your “sofreh aghd” should reflect your personal style and the style and theme of your wedding as a whole. Though most Persians tend to prefer a more ornate and classic design, the “ayneh shamdoon” of a sofreh can also be simple and modern.

Because they are the focal point, the “ayneh shamdoon” need to stand out. The size should be proportionate to your sofreh. Sometimes people make the mistake of buying ones that are too small. Elevating the mirror gives a more dramatic feel to your sofreh.

The mirror can be any shape but one has to be sure that it can stand upright. The mirrors made in Iran typically have a handle built into them like a picture frame and stand on their own. But if you purchase your mirror in the west or other countries, chances are you have to purchase stands for it. We can also help you stand your mirror up securely.

As for the candle holders, you can opt for either a candle holder or candelabra for a more dramatic affect. Though if your sofreh is big, candelabras are the better choice.

As Iran is known for its metal work, perhaps the most popular and traditional “ayneh shamdoon” is the Persian silver with its intricate etched designs. But any beautiful silver “ayneh shamdoon” will do. If the containers in your sofreh are mostly silver or a mix of silver and crystal, it is best to have a silver “ayneh shamdoon”.

Another popular material is crystal. If your candelabras are crystal or clear glass, your ayneh (mirror) can either be crystal or a Venetian style mirror. Venetian style mirrors are the kind where the frame is also cut mirror. They compliment ornate Persian sofrehs due to their dramatic nature. In Iran, they also have the most beautiful ”ayneh shamdoon” that are a combination of crystal and silver.

A gold or antique gold “ayneh shamdoon” is also a gorgeous option for sofrehs that incorporate the same color within the other symbols and containers. Some gold candelabras also have hanging crystals which gives the sofreh a more ornate look. Antique stores are a good place to shop for gold candelabras. Other places to shop for your ayneh shamdoon are specialty home decor stores, high end department stores, and online.



Love & Light,
Sofreh Atelier

Videos of our recent Sofrehs

This was a champagne/gold sofreh done for one of the sweetest couples we've had the pleasure of working with:

Nazli & Teja Wedding
Video by: Michael Brazda Films

and here's an "All White" sofreh we did for another great couple
Video by: Thomas Bowen Films

Flower & Design ideas to enhance your Sofreh Aghd

The traditional and ever-so-beautiful flower arrangement idea for a "Sofreh Aghd" is having two large arrangements at the back close to the mirror and candelabras. Here are some additional ideas that you may want to consider:

using a canopy (similar to the Jewish wedding chuppah)

hanging lanterns, chandeliers, candles or flowers

flower spheres (in or around your sofreh)

flower petals (either scattered on the sofreh or framing the sofreh or swirled in the sofreh)

tall branches

Current trends for your wedding

We thought this information might be useful for our newly engaged couples :-) As always we remind you that we have partnered up with the best vendors for all of your wedding needs and we will be glad to give you their information.

Your Stationery

Stationery adorned with embellishments such as ribbons, crystals, beads, feathers, or similar accents are super popular. Pocket style invitations are in very high demand while many couples are also looking for eco-friendly and green alternatives.
Wedding Accessories
Shorter trains and veils are popular as well as boleros, faux-fur wraps and shawls. Light weight fabrics, such as organza, lace, tulle and chiffon, make perfect wraps for the Spring &r Summer
Hair Ornaments
Hairpins, brooches, tiaras, combs and hair vines made with crystals, pearls, rhinestones, and/or silk flowers are beautiful and many beautiful pieces can be found on etsy.

Wedding Dresses

Romantic, flowing dresses in floor-length styles remain popular. Brides today choose dresses with flowing, soft fabrics, ruffles, satin sashes (at the waist), and delicate floral details. Most dress silhouettes are refined and include the delicate overlaying of fabrics such as chiffon, tulle and lace. Gowns with crystals, cubic zirconia, and/or pearl embellished bodices are very popular at the moment.
The modified A-line skirt also remains prominent although many designers have included ball gowns and tea-length styles in their lines as well. Strapless gowns are perennial favorites, but this season has brought back the off-the-shoulder look for brides who want to accentuate their neckline or draw attention to gorgeous jewelry. We are continuing to see color in wedding dresses which have been popular for some time internationally. Champagne, platinum and even black are currently popular.

Wedding Cakes

Cakes decorated with handmade icing flowers, shells/starfish and delicate dots and scrollwork remain popular. Couples are choosing cakes that fit with the location, theme and season of their wedding.
Buttercream or smooth fondant frostings are most common. Popular cake flavors include lemon, chocolate, carrot, spice and “white” although some couples are choosing non-traditional flavors such as gingerbread, espresso and hazelnut. Flowers, sculptures, and large monogrammed letters are replacing the traditional bride and groom cake top.

Wedding Reception Decorations

Brides are choosing centerpieces that are in the same color tones, but of different sizes. This gives the reception tables a more interesting look and a less “coordinated” feel. Unique vase fillers include glass marbles, sea glass shells, acrylic ice, water absorbing crystals/beads, and fresh fruits such as lemons and limes.
Another popular trend is the candy buffet or confection bar. Pretty silver spoons or scoops in each container allows guests to fill small boxes or bags as take-home favors.

Wedding Ceremony

A current trend is for couples to walk down separate aisles during the ceremony and meet together in front of their guests. They write their own vows and incorporate their children in the case of second marriages. Pets are also part of the day.
Grooms typically escort their mothers down the aisle.
Brides are escorted by both father and/or stepfather, or by her mother, mother and father together, or grandparents or by a significant person in their life.
Traditional guest books remain popular, however, a trend that has been around for many years is to display the couple’s engagement photograph on an easel at the ceremony entrance. The photo is matted, framed without glass and takes the place of a guest book when guests sign the matting.

Eco-friendly or Green Weddings

Going green is important in almost every area of life including weddings. Many couples are choosing organic fabrics, flowers, food and invitations, etc. In the event of global climate change, making green and sustainable choices helps our environmental crisis tremendously. Decisions that lessen the amount of carbon emissions promote sustainable practices, support local businesses, foster community and worldwide health and longevity.
Wedding Photography
The photo-journalistic (candid) approach to wedding photography is preferred by many brides to the traditional posed shots. Capturing the day’s events as they happen helps tell the story of your wedding. Naturally, posed pictures are still enjoyed and requesting that some of the photos be black and white is common.

Credit:
www.yourweddingcompany.com

An excellent wedding coordinator!

We've recently had the pleasure of connecting with Lisa Nelson, who is a very versatile and personable wedding and event planner. Her company, ELEGANT EVENT PLANNING AND DESIGN, offers many different packages to fit the clients' needs. Check out the company website's gallery to learn about and get a glimpse of her amazing work. We're excited to work with her in the future.

Here is what lisa had to say about us in her BLOG.

Check out our video on youtube!

A compilation of some of our work for your enjoyment. We have such a good time doing each sofreh; both of us are perfectionists so half the time we forget it's someone else's sofreh and we work on each one as if it were our own!

HERE IT IS!

We've updated our website!

So two years into our business, we've finally gotten around to blogging!

Sofreh Atelier was founded in order to offer people who are having a persian wedding ceremony an exquisite and one-of-a-kind "Sofreh ye aghd" or "Persian Wedding Spread".

Check out our website... we've recently updated it.

http://www.sofrehatelier.com/

Best,

Mahsa & Shahed!

(Serving the Washington DC, Maryland, Virginia area)
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What is a "Sofreh ye aghd"?:

The Persian Aghd, which is the legal ceremony of the Iranian wedding, is a beautiful and joyful event celebrated with lots of music, laughter, food and love. For Moslem weddings, the Aghd is a legal contract between the man and the woman and extends many rights to the woman that are not common in other legal marriage contracts. Because of the diverse background of the people of Iran, not all Persian weddings are Moslem, and therefore depend on the chosen faith of the couple. Regardless of the faith, the Sofreh Aghd is usually present during a Persian wedding ceremony. These days, with lots of bicultural weddings, this cultural ritual is a beautiful and elegant way to celebrate a union.

During this ceremony, a spread or sofreh is prepared for the bride and groom. Like other ancient Persian traditions such as the Haft Sin sofreh during Noruz, this event has roots in the Zoroastrian faith and does not relate to the Moslem religion. The Zoroastrian faith is based on the four elements of nature: earth, fire, water, and wind, and still has a strong influence on Persian celebrations.

Traditionally the sofreh preparation is taken very seriously because what it contains is believed and hoped to be in the couple’s life and marriage. The word sofreh means “spread” like a table or food spread and appears in many Persian celebrations. The spread is typically set on the floor facing the east so that the couple facing the sofreh will face the light.

Traditional music played when the couple walks to the sofreh is called Mobarak Bad (“Bada Bada Mobarak”). This song is a familiar, happy, upbeat tune that is recognized by most Iranians. It congratulates the couple on this joyful event and is played as the couple walks into the room and takes their seats.

Esfand is burned in the Zoroastrian tradition in rituals and purification rites in Iranian homes. When burned, the Esfand bits give off a pleasant odor and smoke similar to incense. The person carrying the Esfand may walk around the couple and carry the smoke near them to make sure all evil is kept away. In addition to this, it is also common to burn some “Esfand” while the couple is making an entrance.

Once the couple is pronounced husband and wife, 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.


Perhaps the best part of the Persian wedding is the sofreh and its significance. The spread contains many items, all to symbolize different qualities that the couple would hope to bring into their new life together. This illustration (taken from http://www.persianmirror.com/) is a good guide for what items go on a sofreh. You can choose to make the design as elaborate or as clean as you desire.

most of the text above was taken from:

http://andrewmallis.com/blog/2006/10/15/sofreh-aghd-the-wedding-spread