Here's a sampling of international wedding foods that we found at local bakeries and markets. If you plan to serve them at your reception, make sure to place the order well in advance.

Armenian
At many Armenian weddings the bride and groom are crowned king and queen of their household. Then the couple's hands are tied together with a gold cord to signify unity. At the reception Armenian Wedding Pilaf is often served. Patrice Maljanian, co-owner of Ann Meme's Bakery and Cafe, makes her version with caramelized dates, dried apricots and slivered almonds ($2 per portion). The pilaf is served with marinated lamb kabobs ($6 per portion). Ann Meme's Bakery And Cafe, 2419 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria; call 703-683-6638.

Ethiopian
According to Nini Gezachew, owner of Nini's Market and Butcher Shop, the biggest change in Ethiopian weddings is that most couples now wear European-style clothing instead of traditional dress. But the food has remained the same. One have-to-have is doro dabbo or chicken bread. It's a spicy round loaf of wheat bread with pieces of chicken on the bone and whole hard-cooked eggs baked inside. A chicken bread that serves 20 to 30 persons is $50. Nini's Market and Butcher Shop, 3811 C South George Mason Dr., Falls Church; call 703-578-6464.

Indian
An Indian wedding is an elaborate, glittering affair that can last all day and into the night. In southern India a coconut pudding called payasam is often served. And Udupi Palace, a vegetarian restaurant and bakery, makes a delicious coconut pudding ($2.95 per portion). It can be made with rice cooked in coconut milk with a touch of cardamom or mung beans, yellow split peas and coconut milk. The topping is grated nuts. Serve either chilled or warm. Also available: barfi--colorful, ground-nut cookies in squares, triangles or balls that can be stacked into a pyramid-shape ($5.95 per pound). Udupi Palace Sweet Shop, 1329 University Blvd., Langley Park; call 301-434-1531.

Iranian
Hossein Shirkhan, owner of Yas, a Persian-style pastry and candy shop, sells the cone-shaped molded sugar that is grated over the heads of the bribe and groom to signify "sweet wishes" for the future. Shirkhan also makes sangak ($10 each)--a large, triangular cracker bread decorated with poppy seeds that spell out a congratulatory message for the couple. Yas Bakery, 114 E. Fairfax St., Falls Church; call 703-237-9271.

Korean
European-style wedding cakes are too sweet for many Koreans. They prefer a cake made of ground steamed rice covered with red bean powder ($3.50 per pound). Or, they may order a tiered sponge cake covered with nondairy whipped cream. At the Korean Bakery such a cake, three-tiered, that serves 120 persons is $250. Korean Bakery, 4217 John Marr Dr., Annandale (call 703-642-0404); 2009 Viers Mill Rd., Rockville (call 301-340-0404); 12207 Viers Mill Rd., Silver Spring (call 301-933-0404).

Lebanese
A soft, white, crumbly, closed horseshoe-shaped butter cookie called ghoraibi is often served at Lebanese weddings. The bride and groom serve the cookies themselves to their guests. It's white in color to symbolize the purity of the bride. The single pistachio on the cookie represents the bride's tiara. Samadi Sweets has them for $8 per dozen. Also available: "Inlaid Baklava" trays--a pretty way to present assorted phyllo dough and nut pastries for special occasions ($9.50 per pound). Samadi Sweets, 5916 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church; call 703-578-0606.

Vietnamese
On the morning of the wedding the groom takes an even number of round, domed, metal tins to the bride's house. Inside each qua is a selection of teas, cookies and often wine. Huong Binh Bakery rents these bright red tins decorated with dragons for $5 each per week. The bakery staff can help a groom select the proper teas and cookies that will please the bride's family. Huong Binh Bakery & Deli, 6781 Wilson Blvd., Falls Church; call 703-237-9228. Qua containers may be purchased for $15 each from: Rong Vang Bakery, 6757 Wilson Blvd., Falls Church; call 703-538-8880.