Cochran-Jackson House

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Reception

Colorado Reception

Fall

Our Wedding

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The wedding will be held outdoors in a beautiful English garden during the fall blending together the rich cultures of Persia and Southern United States. We encourage you to interpret this theme in your own way, but more importantly we hope you will be comfortable and warm.

Dress Code

Dinner Menu

Kabab Koobideh کباب کوبیدهa classic Iranian dish of seasoned ground beef that is molded around a flat, wide metal skewer and grilled over hot charcoalsJujeh Kebab جوجه کببtender chunks of chicken marinated in saffron, lemon juice, and grated onion, then grilled over an open flameGhormeh Sabzi قورمه سبزیa dark, complex, and savory stew made by slow-cooking a heavy blend of fresh herbs, tender meats, and beansSaffron Tahdig ته‌دیگa traditional Persian dish celebrated for its distinct, crunchy texture and rich flavor. The name literally translates to "bottom of the pot" in FarsiCornbread نان ذرتclassic dish that is deeply woven into Southern culinary history

Signature Cocktail

The Saffron Mint JulepWhere the front porch meets the Persian garden. Classic Southern bourbon and fresh, crisp mint, sweetened with an aromatic house-made saffron date syrup. A refreshing, golden tribute to two legendary cultures of hospitality.

2:30 PM | Gates Open &amp; Welcome Tea شربتGuests arrive at the garden; the Sweet Tea and Sharbat Bar is open.3:00 PM | The Persian Ceremony سفره عقدThe traditional sitting ceremony begins at the outdoor Sofreh.3:45 PM | Ceremony ConcludesGuests move to the cocktail area; couple takes portraits.4:00 PM | Cocktail HourSaffron Mint Juleps flow; passed Southern bites and Noon-o-Paneer-o-Sabzi are served.5:15 PM | The Grand EntranceWelcome the newlyweds! In traditional Persian celebrations, the highest energy of the night happens the moment the couple enters the room. We invite everyone to stand, surround the couple, and join in on a high-energy welcoming dance filled with rhythmic clapping (کف زدن) to celebrate their arrival.5:30 PM | The Family Feast (Dinner)Dinner buffet opens (Kebabs, Ghormeh Sabzi, Saffron Rice, and Cast-Iron Cornbread).6:00 PM |The Lightning Table DashA race across the room to get a photo with every single table in one song.7:00 PM | Cake Cutting &amp; Dessert Lounge OpensThe Persian Love Cake and Momo’s Red Velvet Cake are cut. The Samovar hot tea station opens with a selection of fruits and sweets.7:30 PM | Speeches &amp; The Poetry Reading شعرخوانیToasts from loved ones, concluding with a short Hafez poem reading.7:40 PM | The Bouquet TossThe bride invites everyone to the floor, whether single, dating, or happily married. We are gathering the whole room together to share a special moment of love and blessings with all of our favorite people.7:45 PM | Open Mingling &amp; Garden SocializingRelaxed, unstructured time for dancing, lounging, and lawn games.

Schedule of Events

Q + A

The U.S. Space &amp; Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama, is the world's largest spaceflight museum. As a Smithsonian Affiliate and official NASA visitor center, it features over 1,500 artifacts, including the authentic Saturn V moon rocket, the Space Shuttle Pathfinder, and hands-on astronaut training simulators.

U.S. Space & Rocket Center

Campus No. 805 is a vibrant, 13-acre adult playground and entertainment hub in Huntsville, Alabama. Built inside a repurposed former middle school and high school, it blends local history with modern leisure, featuring craft breweries, restaurants, a hidden speakeasy, arcades, and event spaces.

Campus No. 805

Fun Fact: The bride worked here!Burritt on the Mountain (often referred to as the Burritt Museum) is a 167-acre living history museum located atop Round Top Mountain in Huntsville, Alabama. It features the eccentric 1938 mountaintop mansion of Dr. William Burritt, a historic park with restored 19th-century cabins, farm animals, and panoramic views of the Tennessee Valley.

Burritt on the Mountain

Lowe Mill ARTS &amp; Entertainment is the largest privately owned arts facility in the United States. Housed in a historic 1901 textile mill, it features 153 working studios for over 300 artists, seven galleries, a theater, and independent culinary businesses.

Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment

Big Spring International Park is the crown jewel of downtown Huntsville, Alabama, famous for its picturesque 7-to-20-million-gallon freshwater spring, lush green spaces, and famously friendly koi, ducks, and geese.&nbsp;The park is the historic site where Revolutionary War veteran John Hunt built the first cabin in 1805, originally calling the settlement "Hunt's Spring".

Big Spring International Park

Opened in 1976, it is the city's original coffee shop. Renowned for its eclectic, cozy vibe, the shop roasts its beans daily using a massive, vintage 1929 Jabez Burns coffee roaster.

The Kaffeeklatsch

Dismals Canyon is a privately owned 85-acre nature conservatory and National Natural Landmark located in Phil Campbell, Alabama. Famous for its ancient forest, mossy boulders, and cascading waterfalls, it is best known for the dismalites—rare bioluminescent glowworms that illuminate the canyon walls at twilight.

Dismals Canyon

Ole Hickory BBQ is a beloved, family-owned restaurant in New Market, Alabama (just outside Huntsville) known for its hickory-smoked meats, homemade sides, and welcoming country charm. It has served the greater Huntsville and Northeast Alabama community for over 35 years.

Ole Hickory BBQ

The EarlyWorks Children's Museum, located in downtown Huntsville, Alabama, is the largest hands-on history museum in the South. Designed for children up to age 12, it blends STEAM education and regional history through interactive, immersive play.

EarlyWorks Children's Museum

Things to Do

The Sofreh Aghd is a ceremonial spread that includes various symbolic items, each representing an aspect of the couple’s marriage and future life together. It’s typically laid out on the floor during the wedding ceremony, and the couple, along with their loved ones, gather around it as they partake in the rituals. The items on the Sofreh represent love, prosperity, fertility, and protection, providing a meaningful start to the couple’s life as newlyweds. Many of the items you will see on display were generously brought from Türkiye by the stunning Mother of the Groom.

Key Elements of the Sofreh-ye-Aghd:

The Blessed Bread (Naan-e-Sangak)Symbolism: ProsperityThis special Persian bread is placed on the Sofreh to symbolize abundance and sustenance in the couple’s life. Assortment of Herbs &amp; Spices (Aatel-o-Baatel)Symbolism: Protection from the Evil EyeA mix of herbs and spices like poppy seeds (khashkhash), rice (berenj), fennel seeds (raziyane), and frankincense is arranged on a tray. These ingredients are believed to protect the couple from negative energy. Honey (Asal)Symbolism: Sweetness of LifeAfter the couple’s marriage is official, they dip their pinky fingers into honey and feed it to each other, symbolizing the sweetness of their new life together. Rock Candy (Shaakheh-e-Nabaat)Symbolism: HappinessA bowl of rock candy is placed on the Sofreh to symbolize joy and happiness in the couple’s life. Persian Rose Water (Gol-ab)Symbolism: Purity and GraceA cup of rose water, typically extracted from the Damask rose (Gol-e-Mohammadi), sweetens the air and symbolizes purity, grace, and beauty. Traditional Embroidered Cloth (Toor-e-Ghand)Symbolism: Shared HomeThis embroidered cloth is held over the couple’s heads during the sugar rubbing ceremony, symbolizing the home they will build together Sweet &amp; Pastries (Shirini)Symbolism: Abundance and CelebrationPersian sweets such as baklava, noghl (sugar-coated almonds), and sohan asali (saffron almond brittle) are offered to guests after the ceremony, symbolizing abundance and joy. The Book (Ketaab)Symbolism: Wisdom and GuidanceA religious or literary text—such as the Avesta, Bible, Qur’an, or Torah—is placed on the Sofreh. Some families include poetry books like Shahnameh, Hafez or Rumi, representing wisdom and spiritual guidance.(We will be having a book of poetry) Sugar Cones (Kalleh Ghand)Symbolism: Sweetness and ProsperitySugar loaves are rubbed over the couple’s heads to sprinkle sweetness and happiness onto their marriage. Needle &amp; Thread (Nakh-o-Soozan)Symbolism: Bonding of DestiniesA needle threaded with seven threads is used to sew a few stitches into the unity cloth, symbolizing the couple’s destinies intertwined. Fruits (Meeveh)Symbolism: Fertility and AbundanceApples, pomegranates, and grapes are placed on the Sofreh to symbolize fertility, abundance, and eternal life. Mirror and Candelabra (Ayneh-ye-Bakht va Shamdaan)Symbolism: Light and ClarityThe mirror symbolizes the couple’s first look at one another, while candles represent light, clarity, and the bright future ahead. Wheat (Gandom)Symbolism: ProsperityA small container of wheat is included to symbolize prosperity and a rich life for the couple. Sugar Clusters (Noghl)Symbolism: Sweetness of LifeSugar clusters represent the sweetness of the couple’s life together and the joy that their marriage will bring.

Sara سارا & Richard ریچارد

Sara سارا & Richard ریچارد

Registry

Thank you for celebrating with us! Your presence is truly the greatest gift.