In the Middle East, marriage is viewed more as a business arrangement than as anything to do with LUV.  The man is supposed to provide the income and house.  The woman is supposed to provide the dowry and all the household possessions.

Men work all their lives to earn enough to be able to afford to get married.

Women work all their lives to gather the household possessions.  In the case of tribal women, these possessions would include the household textiles- rugs and bags used to hold various needed things like salt.

But whatever your status in life, you just couldn't get married without carpets.  It would be like getting married and moving into a house without floors.  If you were the bride, your mother and aunts would help you weave what you needed, and often whatever you wove for your wedding would be the most beautiful and decorated items you would ever make because they would be for your own use and not just for sale. They would be something to tell your children about.   Also, if you were wanting to get out of your father's house, you might become an expert weaver because word would spread through the village or camp.  The women would see what you wove and advertise to their goat herding sons.  You could attract a better husband with more beautiful weavings, and, in a culture where women must be covered from head to toe at all times, advertisement of any kind is a necessity or you end up with your cousin.  Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Thankfully, being able to weave is not a prerequisite to getting married in Western culture.  We believe in True Love instead. 

I have personally always thought, though, that it would be very nice if my family or someone provided the rugs for my household at the wedding, and I'm sure most brides and grooms would agree.  Rugs make the perfect gift because they aren't breakable, and you know for sure the couple will use them.  Then they will think fondly of you every time they walk by your rug.

I've now given a few rugs for wedding gifts and have never been met with anything less than enthusiasm.  One couple even went so far as to actually say their wedding vows in the church over an Afarstar rug- in front of God and everybody.

So, if you're looking for that perfect gift, look no farther.  You can even put a bug in my ear to ask the couple to register so you know what they would like.

Also, couples, if you want to register, but don't want just anyone to be able to see your name here in the public domain, I can design a page for you which you can then send to friends and family via e-mail link like this one for Tarzan and Jane: http://www.afarstar.com/2s/9/2a.htm. You can include it in invitations and registry packets.  Just let me know your preferences.

Couples Currently Registered with Afarstar Persian Rugs:

Example:  Mr. Tarzan Ofthejungle and Miss Jane Smith  (Click here to see what your page could look like)

Click here to register 

Click here to buy a gift