Aroosi 150 Years of Iranian Wedding Traditions

The rituals and customs of traditional Iranian weddings are among the most important pillars of Persian culture and are practiced and commemorated throughout the country and the global Iranian diaspora. 
 
Preparations for a traditional wedding often begin a year in advance. During this period, parents and family members of the betrothed couple collaborate on all parts of the planning, such as the dowry list and bridal gifts, the bride’s dress, and the celebratory banquet.
 
This exhibition explores the culture of Iranian weddings as documented in historical collections and those of families and participants, particularly from the Los Angeles Iranian community. The exhibition spans a period from the reign of Naser al-Din Shah Qajar, who ruled from 1848–1896, to the present. On display are rare pre-wedding documents and ornamented marriage contracts, as well as Qajar-era paintings, photographs, and embroidered textiles that embody the visual and material diversity of Iran’s wedding traditions.

Curated by Dr. Pedram Khosronejad of Western Sydney University.