Sahar & Aidin { Wedding } Part 3
During the cocktail hour, the invitees got to chat together. We were even able to enjoy the last hour of the very unplanned but so very welcome parting of the clouds. In fact, the weather forecast was calling for scattered showers throughout the day. To be frank, the rain came at the most opportune of times: while everyone was getting ready and later on during dinner. We couldn’t have asked for a better wedding gift from Mother Nature.
We made Sahar and Aidin do the ever popular “dip” during the hour for the simple reason that they were so good at it. They were naturals!
At the end of the cocktail hour, white release doves (also known as homing pigeons) were brought outside. The couple first released two birds by hand and then, from a wooden cage, a larger group joined them in the sky. It is commonly believed that doves do mate for life or until one of the partners dies which makes this lifelong commitment one of the reason why these beautiful white birds are a popular symbol for marriage.
While cocktails were held outside, the dinner portion of the wedding day was carefully and beautifully set up inside a dining area with a mezzanine and dozens of white lanterns. The overall effect was stunning and might I add, the dinner (especially the salmon) was simply delicious.
Speeches occurred throughout the duration of the entire dinner and tears were abound, to say the least. I caught this little gem during the Maid of Honor speech.
After dinner, everyone was brought back in the ballroom were the wedding ceremony was held earlier that day and Sahar and Aidin had their first dance. People like these two make my job the easiest and greatest job on Earth. Their love just transcends the lens and their connection in present in every glance, every move. It is a beautiful thing to witness.
At some point during the evening the bride got tired of holding on to her bouquet (rightfully so!) and the groom put it up there in the chandelier. They retrieved it moments before the bouquet toss at the end of the day.
Right before the couple got to cut their cake, the Raghseh Chagoo took place (a dance we could refer to as a “knife dance” in English). It was a very entertaining part of the evening and I highly recommend you check out this YouTube video to get an idea of what the Raghseh Chagoo dance looks like.
The purpose of the Persian Knife dance (Raghseh Chagoo) is for the couple to retrieve a knife from the dancers so they can cut the wedding cake. The dance starts with one person dancing a typical Persian dance, with the knife and basically asking the couple for money. Once the dancer gets the money, the knife is passed on to the next dancer. The bride and groom continue to offer money to try and get the cake knife. A little back and forth, and a few dance moves later, the couple finally are given the knife and are able to cut the cake. - c/o Persian Mirror
Lifelong happiness to the beautiful Sahar and Aidin. And as Sahar’s childhood friend put it in her speech: “you two are gonna make ridiculously good-looking babies”. Tabrik migoyam!
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