eat a piece of Art

Oh goodness gracious! check out these cakes by local bakery Maggie Austin Cake! Almost too pretty to eat until you think, "I bet it tastes as good as it looks!" Truly haute couture!

Haft Seen for IACC!

Greetings,

Excited about Norooz yet? We are! We love the Persian New Year and love being part of the different events celebrating Norooz around DC. This year we did the Haft Seen for the Iranian-American Community Center's "Persian New Year Family Celebration". This event took place at the beautiful Westwood Country Club. For more info about the IACC and this event, check out their BLOG

And here are a few pictures of the Haft Seen:

Upcoming event for engaged couples!

Hey DC area brides & grooms to be! The following would be a great event for you to attend:

Sunday, March 6 · 3:00pm - 8:00pm

Location

Willard InterContinental Washington, St. Regis Hotel, & Hay-Adams
Created By
Engaged! Magazine, Erika Paola Gutierrez
More Info
Three luxury wedding venues in one evening: The Willard Hotel, the St. Regis Hotel, and the Hay-Adams.

Travel by limo buses to each hotel, visit with the best of the best wedding professionals, hear bands play, sip champagne by Moet, ooh and aah at gorgeous bridal fashion.

Don't delay in buying your ticket - be eligible for 20 days of fabulous prize drawings prior to the show!

For more info, www.engagedmagazine.com

To purchase tickets please go to: http://engagedmagazine.eventbrite.com/

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

A shout out to our favorite Web Designer!

So you might have noticed our website looks slightly different. Whenever we need to tweak something, we call on our amazing web designer, Luis E. Claudio. Better known as ELOY, this talented graphic designer and illustrator has experience with web design and brand building. He's really nice and so accommodating. Check out some of the range of his designs and illustrations. If you ever need him for a project, we'll be happy to pass on his contact info. Thanks Eloy!

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