the center of the wedding spread. The spreadprayer rug, open in the Aghd-cloth is to remind the couple of the importance of prayer to God. The prayer carpet also includes a small cube of clay with prayers written on it (Mohr) and a rosary (Tasbih). Non-Muslim families may or may not omit the prayer kit. A scarf or shawl made out of silk or any other fine fabric is held over the bride and bridegroom's heads (who are sitting by the Sofreh) by a few unmarried female relatives (bridesmaids). Two sugar cones made out of hardened sugar are used during the ceremony. These sugar cones are softly ground together above the bride and bridegroom's heads by a happily married female relative (and/or maid of honor) throughout the ceremony to shower them in sweetness. The sugar drops in the held fabric, not on their heads. After the wedding Pātakhti Traditionally, on Pātakhti () the bride wears a lot of floral ornaments and the decoration of the house with flowers is provided by the groom's family. It is similar to American Bridal shower. The relatives of the bride and the groom bring them presents. This is usually more of a party with finger foods, sweets and drink than a sit-down dinner. The majority of the night is spent dancing and socializing. Pagoshā Pagoshā (), (literally open leg) is a gesture of acceptance and open arms. It is a ceremony held in the house of the newly married couple's relatives. In Iran, where families are a lot bigger and there are more of them around to throw parties, it is usually a very exciting and/or exhausting time for families of the bride and the groom who are invited to one Pagosha after another for several weeks following a wedding. Mādarzan Salām Mādarzan Salām () literally “hello mother in law” is generally the morning after the wedding ceremony when groom visits his mother in law and presents her with a gift. Mah-e Asal (Iranian Honeymoon) Mah-e Asal () is a vacation spent together by a newly married couple. Northern provinces of Iran such as Mazanderan, Golestan and Gilan are very popular honeymoon destinations. In recent years cities of Turkish Riviera such as Antalya and Alanya have been attracting more Iranian newlyweds because of no visa requirement between Iran and Turkey. References Sofreh Aghd Persian Wedding Ceremony What to expect when attending a Persian wedding