Things to focus on for persian weddings?

[form]

About to shoot my first full persian wedding and I'm looking for any hints from those with previous experience.

What do I focus on as far as details?

With the various ethnic ceremonies, what are important points to take photos of and where should the focus be in at least a few pictures?

[Valjoy]

No takers as yet....
Persian Wedding sounds great...be sure to let us know how things go and post some pics...
cheers Val

[p360]

Just Google "persian weddings". You get a ton of hits.

[Hangerhead]

where are you shooting it?

If it's like my the one I went to because the brother of my wife (iranian) was getting married, then...

They have a display table or cloth on the floor - this shows mirrors, small sweets/cakes, fruits and flowers. Each of the items has a special significance - there is usually also a book - often the Qu'ran, but I have often seen poetry by Hafez - often in front of the mirror and candlesticks - it is VERY important you photo the mirror/candlesticks - they are known as 'ayneh shamdoon' and are very traditional gifts. They signify light in your life and it wouldbe great if you caught a nice candle-lit reflective shot - I didn't because they had a pro doing the wedding (i was brother-in-law with SLR.. :) )

The couple to be married are usually (later on) seated together facing this cloth/table - later on, they have a white sheet suspended over them whilst various of the female relatives 'grind' large sticks of sugar over them (the sheet basically).
The presentation of the gifts is done here also.
If you are male (esp.) then CHECK if you are to be allowed into this area - some of the 'akhunds' or mullahs view this quite dimly as you are not related to any of the women. Check with the couple getting married first if it will be ok and ask about dress code/ankles/short sleeves.

Iranians LOVE to dance and don't need to be drunk to do so!
They have adopted the 'first dance' but don't be surprised if, as soon as any music starts, everyone starts dancing.
They will ALL have mini-cams, digi-cams, etc...

Enjoy it! I have been to 2 weddings - one was strict (all men in one room, women in another) and a more liberal one where everybody mixed freely.
Apart from my own wedding, this liberal Persian one was the best I've been to.

Anyway, I was at this wedding (brother-in-law) and took along my 40D so, if the following is useful, lmk.

http://hangerhead.smugmug.com/gallery/7168179_4vneo#460136617_YS6y3

[Hangerhead]

oh, something else - In Iran at least, the wedding shots are quite heavily processed (portraiture) for baby smooth skin (men and women) - it's a look a think is awful, but is all the rage there - just check that the couple are not expecting you to do the same.

[bnlearle]

I see nothing wrong with doing some research on weddings you've never shot before - but honestly, I think being aware and grabbing moments as you see them is most important. It's hard to go wrong when doing that ;)

Bobby