One Couple's Scottish-Persian Fusion Wedding in Dallas, Texas

Emilia, who is Iranian-American, and Calum, who is Scottish, tied the knot in Texas but their day was filled with a mix of Persian and Scottish influences. The couple originally said "I do" in the Scottish Borders in Scotland, but were only able to have five people in attendance because of COVID-19. As such, the couple decided to celebrate a second time in Texas so family from the States could join them. "We had only a few months to prepare and we were in limbo right up until the week before the ceremony as we just weren't sure if we would even be able to get to the United States," recalls Emilia. "We live in Leith, Scotland together in our home! This meant that it was truly Emilia's family that did much of the work as we weren't able to physically be there to help with decorations, food or both the major and minor details," explains Calum. "Emilia's mother and step-father, Roya and Cole, along with her sister Leila and her grandparents Jaleh and Mahmood were the wedding planners. They rose to the occasion and began to work on the guest list, the flowers, the tables, the decorations, the music. Emilia's mother is an avid gardener and Roya and Cole worked hard in the months leading to the wedding installing steps, paths and native Texan flora along with a beautiful selection of rose bushes. Overall the theme was definitely a garden brunch wedding!" 

The couple goes on to explain that they "initially planned to have the wedding in Texas in April but due to restrictions that fell through. Luckily, we had an opening in July where we were able to travel and land in Dallas, Texas, Emilia's hometown and get hitched! As our original day had been a bit derailed from COVID-19, like so many other couples, our wedding vibe and theme had to be reimagined. We pulled it back to basics and focused it around the themes and cultures that surround our American family. Emilia's mother, Roya, was born in Iran and we have a big Persian family. However, we kept it small and safe and there were approximately 40 guests. It was immensely special as there were so many people that had been separated due to the pandemic that was finally able to see each other again. As we incorporated Scottish traditions to represent Calum in our Scottish wedding, we used Persian traditions in our wedding at Emilia's family home," explains the couple. "There was Persian music played by Emilia's uncle and through the sound system. Emilia wore gold jewelry given to her by her grandmother and her late great-grandmother from Iran. The wedding ceremony featured Persian wedding traditions such as a small sofreh and the sugar cone ceremony."

In keeping with honoring Emilia's Persian heritage the sugar cone ceremony took place during the wedding ceremony and "women wedding guests were invited to rub two sugar cones together while bridesmaids held a mesh cloth above Calum and Emilia's heads. The sugar falling from grinding sugar cones represented the spreading of the sweetness over our lives as husband and wife. The sugar cones were decorated by Emilia's grandmother and were used in her own parent's wedding. There were decorations also kept from her parent's wedding incorporated in the sofreh. This was hugely special to Emilia and gave a nod to her heritage and family—two things she treasures most. While our wedding had remnants of the original wedding we had planned, it became a hybrid; a Texan-Persian fusion garden wedding." 

The garden focus of the wedding was something that Emilia had always wanted, but wasn't sure she would get when the pandemic upended her and Calum' wedding plans. "Emilia has always said she envisioned getting married in a garden surrounded by flowers," explains the couple. "When planning the Scotland wedding, we landed on Neidpath Castle as a venue. It didn't seem at the time during wedding planning in 2019 that a blooming garden would be possible in Scotland in April as it can be really really, really cold! However, due to the pandemic, Emilia in a roundabout way got her wedding wish. Being married surrounded by flowers her mother had lovingly planted in the comfort of her own home was more than she could've ever imagined. The bouquets and wedding centerpieces were created by her mom and sister. The bouquets were made by her mother and sister. And much if not all the flowers came from her mother's garden at Eden Rose Cottage, Emilia's family home."

The wedding's food menu was another part of the celebration that allowed the couple to honor their heritage and roots. "The wedding cake was from Whole Foods and was decorated, again, with more flora from Roya's garden and topped by Roya with fresh berries. To represent Emilia as a Texan, we ordered our Tex-Mex food from our favorite local taco genius, Jose R. Ralat and Emilia's step-father Cole surprised the guests with paletas in a paleta cart from Ricas San Marcos Paleteria," says the couple. "Margaritas were made by a bartender and tequila shots may or may not have been shared by the bridal party before Emilia walked down the garden path and up to the iron arch in her mother's back garden. Although Emilia is not Latinx or Hispanic, Emilia has grown up with the vibrancy of Hispanic cultures in Dallas and wanted to celebrate that. Additionally, the Persian family brought their own foods, as is typical for Persians! Even if you are providing food, Persians will still come bringing it in truckloads. If you are Persian or know Persian friends, you know this! The wedding represented Emilia's culture as a Texan and her Iranian-American roots. But most importantly, it represented Calum's assimilation into her crazy but vibrant Iranian-American family. Dancing and eating with loved ones that had been kept far away due to the pandemic was so special. Being with family was highly anticipated as we had all missed each other so much. Having Emilia's family be integrated into the marriage was crucial as she wasn't able to have them there in Scotland in April."