The wedding ceremony is an intimate and private affair, which only the couple’s immediate families and close friends attend.  The atmosphere is festive as all guests gather and socialize in growing anticipation of the Bride’s arrival and the beginning of the ceremony.

The focal point of the present day Aghd is the "sofreh", a decorative piece of fabric that is placed on the floor in the center of the room. Laid out on the sofreh is a display of various objects, each carrying a different symbolic or religious meanings.  When the Bride arrives, all the guests cheer and follow her to the sofreh.  At this time, a small brass pot, which contains incense, is waved toward the Bride to purify and perfume the air.

The Persian wedding ceremony has evolved from ancient times with earliest records dating back to 1700 B.C.  The ancient Persians were the first to move from a nomadic culture to a farming society; therefore, breads, herbs, fruits, and eggs are symbolically placed on the sofreh. They represent prosperity, good fortune, and fertility.

During the ceremony, a white cloth is held over the Bride and Groom. Over this cloth, ladies with good fortune in marriage grind sugar to wish the couple happiness, prosperity, and success. Bits of sugar rain down over the couple’s head, showering them for a sweet and happy life together.  The ladies also stich the cloth to symbolize sewing two hearts together.  It is also humorously representative of sewing the Mother-in-laws’ mouths shut!

The ceremony begins with some words of advice to the couple from the Officiant. When he asks for marriage consent from the Bride, she will not reply. This silence occurs for the sake of her virtue, to ensure that this union is what she really wants.  The third time he asks, she replies "balleh", meaning "yes". He then asks the Groom for his consent and he replies balleh.  At this time, the Officiant declares them husband and wife. They exchange rings, and the ceremony concludes when the Bride and Groom feed each other honey, symbolizing the sweetness of life.