I recently had the pleasure of officiating the symbol-rich and perfectly-appointed wedding of Raha + Adam at Philadelphia’s Kimmel Center of the Performing Arts. An inter-faith couple, Raha wanted to incorporate some of the most meaningful elements from her family’s Iranian tradition.
Raha’s Sofreh was lovingly curated and prepared by her mother and two aunts.
The centerpiece of the Persian wedding ceremony is the Sofreh. During the ceremony, the couple sits in front of a table filled with family heirlooms and exotic items, each meant to serve as a blessing to the couple in their marriage.
Raha’s reflections in her Sofreh mirror as the bride and groom share a glance.
In the Kalleh Ghand tradition, a happily married woman, rubs two cones of sugar together over the bride and groom’s head, showering them with blessings for a life filled with sweetness and love.
Wishes for the bride and groom to have a shared life filled with sweetness was shown many times throughout the day. One of my favorites was the tradition of the Kalleh Ghand. While Raha and Adam were still seated looking at their Sofreh, a beautiful silk was held over the heads while the bride’s sister Sara (a happily married woman) generously rubbed two cones of sugar together, showering the couple with flakes meant to bless them with a life of sweetness and love.
At the end of the ceremony, the bride and groom each dip their pinky finger in honey and touch it to the others’ lips. This is meant to show their intentions and hopes for a sweet future.
