Persian Sofreh Aghd Setup: Table, Seating and What to Rent

A Persian wedding ceremony, the aghd, often takes place in front of a sofreh aghd, a spread of symbolic items arranged on a cloth. Families include mirrors, candelabra, flatbread, herbs, sweets and other items that carry meaning, and each family has its own list. In the Chicago area, Persian-American weddings are held in banquet halls, hotels and gardens, and the ceremony may be separate from or part of the reception. What a rental company can help with is the seating, the floor setup and the reception that follows. The content of the spread belongs to the family.

What the room needs for the aghd

• A spread area. The spread sits on the floor, on a low platform or on a low table. The couple sits facing it. Plan about 8 x 10 feet of clear space with room for decorators and photographers to work.
• A couple's seat. A bench, a love seat or two matching chairs, placed so the couple faces the spread. Chairs let the couple sit comfortably through a ceremony that may take 30 to 60 minutes.
• Seats for the officiant and family. The officiant (a mullah or a family elder) and honored relatives may sit nearby. Others stand or sit around.
• Guest chairs. Rows or an arc on three sides so everyone can see.
• A backdrop. Fabric draping, flowers or a frame behind the couple.

Chairs and benches for the couple

The couple usually sits facing the spread. Common choices are a love seat or bench, two matching chairs or a pair of thrones. A royal throne pair (estimated $75 to $150 per pair) in gold suits a formal ceremony, Louis Medallion chairs ($20 to $30) are elegant at a smaller scale and velvet dining chairs ($18 to $25) in a deep color are comfortable. Check the seat heights against the spread, because the couple should be able to see the items and reach them.

Guest seating counts

Reserve the first rows for parents, grandparents and the people holding the cloth (the bridesmaids and others who may hold a fabric canopy over the couple in some families). Ask the family how many people stand near the couple.

Moving from aghd to reception

Many Persian weddings combine the aghd and the reception in one hall. A short break gives staff time to clear chairs and set rounds. Typical reception layouts use rounds of 8 to 10, a head table or sofreh-style sweetheart table and a dance floor sized for a lively crowd. See ceremony vs reception chairs and dance floor size by guest count.

Candles, mirrors and fire safety

Candles and candelabra are often part of the spread. Check whether your venue allows open flame, and use flameless options if not. Mirrors and glass items need stable surfaces. See candles at venues and lighting color temperature.

Chicago notes

• Many Chicago-area hotels and banquet halls host Persian weddings. Ask the venue about floor protection, candles and decorators' load-in time.
• Nowruz and other festive dates are busy in the Persian community. Book rentals early for spring weekends.
• If you want a garden aghd in the suburbs, plan a weather backup. See outdoor event chairs and weather.

Plan the aghd with us

Tell us your venue, guest count and the seating you want and we will help you choose chairs, tables and a backdrop in one call. Book a free 15-minute seating call or request a quote.