Aroosi: 150 Years of Iranian Wedding Traditions

Within its great ethnical diversity, religious plurality, and cultural differences, the Iranian society considers the wedding ritual and its related ceremonies and customs as one of the most important pillars of Persian culture. Iranian families within Iran and in the Diaspora celebrate the weddings of their loved ones with great joy and happiness. The preparation of a traditional wedding may begin a year in advance with great joy. During this period, parents and family members of the bride and groom work closely together on all parts of the planning and preparation, such as the dowry list and bridal gifts, the wedding spread, and the wedding dress. This first-ever exhibit provides a remarkable cultural insight through fascinating visual art and material culture of the Iranian wedding since the reign of Naser al-Din Shah Qajar (r. 1848-1896). The exhibition covers not only the formal aspects, such as the pre-wedding documents and the beautifully ornamented marriage contracts, but in addition Qajar embroidered fabrics and textiles, paintings and photographs demonstrate the diversity of wedding traditions among Iranian families.