What are the 14 items on a Sofreh Aghd?

The traditional Sofreh Aghd contains: (1) Ayeneh va Shamadan — mirror and candelabras, (2) Quran or Torah/Bible, (3) flatbread (Noon-e Sangak), (4) decorated eggs, (5) wild rue (Esfand), (6) honey, (7) a basket of pomegranates, (8) herbs (Sabzi Khordan), (9) a basket of gold coins, (10) rose water, (11) needle and thread (7 threads), (12) sugar cone (Kalleh Ghand), (13) sweets, and (14) a cloth held over couple's heads by a happily married woman while grinding sugar.

What is the difference between Aghd and the reception in a Persian wedding?

The Aghd (عقد) is the formal legal and religious marriage ceremony conducted at the Sofreh Aghd table, typically held in the afternoon or early evening of the wedding day. A mullah, rabbi, or officiant conducts the ceremony and the couple signs the marriage contract (Aqd Nameh). The reception (Jashn-e Aroosi) is the celebration party — music, dancing, dinner — which may be held the same evening or on a separate day entirely. Many Iranian-Canadian and Iranian-American families hold them on separate days.

Persian Wedding Planner — Sofreh Aghd, Aghd Night & Calligrapher Tools

🕯️ Sofreh Aghd 14-Item Checklist

Every item on the ceremonial Sofreh Aghd table has specific symbolism. Check off each item as it is sourced and placed. Progress saves to your browser.

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Mirror & Candelabras

آینه و شمعدان

Faces lit by candlelight — symbol of brightness and clarity in the marriage

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Holy Book

قرآن / تورات / کتاب مقدس

Quran, Torah, or Bible depending on faith — opened to auspicious page

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Flatbread (Noon-e Sangak)

نان سنگک

Three large flatbreads decorated with blessing seeds — prosperity and sustenance

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Decorated Eggs

تخم مرغ رنگ شده

Hand-painted eggs symbolising fertility — one per family tradition

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Wild Rue (Esfand)

اسفند

Burned to ward off the evil eye (nazar) — smoke carries prayers upward

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Honey

عسل

Couple dips finger and feeds each other — sweetness of life together

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Pomegranate

انار

Seeds = abundance and fertility · Must be red and whole

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Fresh Herbs (Sabzi Khordan)

سبزی خوردن

Basket of fresh greens — freshness and vitality of new life

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Gold Coins

سکه طلا

Basket of coins — financial prosperity and stability for the couple

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Rose Water (Golab)

گلاب

Sprinkled on guests — purity, fragrance, spiritual cleansing

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Needle & 7 Threads

سوزن و نخ

A happily married woman sews the veil shut with 7 threads — binding the union

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Sugar Cone (Kalleh Ghand)

کله قند

Rubbed over the couple's heads while grinding — sweetening the marriage

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Persian Sweets & Noghl

نقل و شیرینی

Sugar-coated almonds (noghl) and Persian pastries for guests — sweetness shared

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Lit Candles (one per family)

شمع

One candle per family member present — warmth and light of family joining

📅 Two-Night Event Planner

Persian weddings often span two nights. The Aghd (legal ceremony) and the Jashn-e Aroosi (celebration party) may be held on different days. Plan each separately.

اقد Aghd Night — Typical Timing

The formal legal and religious ceremony. Held at home or small venue with close family.

4:00 PM

Sofreh Aghd table setup complete — flowers, items, candles lit

5:00 PM

Guests arrive — close family only (50–150 people)

6:00 PM

Bride enters — escorted by parents, seated at Sofreh Aghd

6:15 PM

Groom enters — seated opposite bride at Sofreh Aghd

6:30 PM

Aghd ceremony begins — mullah, rabbi, or officiant leads

6:45 PM

Needle and thread ceremony — Kalleh Ghand grinding

7:00 PM

Aqd Nameh (marriage contract) signed by both parties and witnesses

7:15 PM

Ring exchange, honey feeding, family congratulations

7:30 PM

Dinner, tea, sweets served to family

9:00 PM

Evening winds down — couple receives guests privately

Jashn-e Aroosi — Reception Night Timing

The main celebration party — large venue, live band or DJ, dinner and dancing for all guests.

6:00 PM

Doors open — guests arrive, cocktail hour with Persian appetizers

7:30 PM

Couple's grand entrance — live Persian music (tar + tombak)

7:45 PM

First dance — couple's first dance as married couple

8:00 PM

Dinner service begins — Persian rice (chelou), khoresh, kebabs

9:00 PM

Speeches and toasts — Farsi and English

9:30 PM

Dancing begins — Persian pop, band switches to dance set

10:30 PM

Cake cutting ceremony

11:00 PM

Open dance floor — DJ takes over, Persian and Western mix

12:30 AM

Last dance — couple's exit

✍️ Persian Calligrapher Brief Generator

Generate a professional brief for your Persian calligrapher. Fill in the details and download the brief to share.

Bride's Name (English)

Bride's Name (Farsi)

Groom's Name (English)

Groom's Name (Farsi)

Wedding Date

Calligraphy Style

Requested Pieces

Special Verses or Poetry (Farsi/English)

🎶 Persian Live Music Scheduler

Traditional Persian instruments for ceremony and reception. Each has a different role and timing in the event.

Tar (تار)

Long-necked lute

The soul of Persian classical music. Used during the Aghd ceremony and for formal dinner hour. Melodic, evocative, emotionally powerful.

Aghd ceremony · Cocktail hour · Dinner

Santur (سنتور)

Hammered dulcimer

Bright, shimmering tone. Often paired with violin for classical Persian music. Popular for Aghd background music and first dance.

Aghd background · First dance

Tombak (تنبک)

Persian goblet drum

The primary Persian percussion. Drives the rhythm for both classical and dance music. Essential when shifting to dancing portion.

All dancing sets · Reception

Kamancheh (کمانچه)

Spike fiddle

Haunting, soulful bowed string instrument. Often featured during emotional moments — bride's entrance, ceremony, first dance.

Ceremony · Entrances

Daf (دف)

Frame drum

Large frame drum with jingles. Common in Sufi-influenced ceremonies and joyful processional moments. Creates communal energy.

Processional · Celebration

Persian DJ

Electronic / Pop mix

For the late-night dancing portion. Mix of Persian pop (Googoosh, Dariush, Shahram Nazeri), modern Persian EDM, and Western hits.

Post-midnight dance floor

🌹 Persian & Iranian Wedding Planner

اقد Aghd Night — Typical Timing

Jashn-e Aroosi — Reception Night Timing