Marriages were traditionally arranged. The bride was usually in her early teens at the time of marriage. A central event in the marriage was the transfer of the bride from her father's house to that of her husband's family. She was bathed and dressed in new clothes. The hair around her face was cut short as a symbol of her new status. Her hands were stained with henna, and kohl applied around her eyes. She was transferred, and during the festivities sat under a veil alone with her girlfriends or other women. Music, dancing, and feasting lasted for days or weeks in the wealthier families. Poor families went into debt to provide a wedding of even a day or two. Traditionally, weddings included music and dancing. Itinerant musicians earned their livings from this. The Islamic regime outlawed dancing and music. Over time, however, these returned, initially confined to indoors, but later in the open. The wedding ceremony has become increasingly Westernized. Bride and groom now usually choose one another. The bride dresses in white and is heavily made up. Businesses have sprung up for commercial bridal preparations. A white veil or hood is often removed during the festivities, and replaced with a tiara or other fashionable item. The bride and groom exchange gifts. They sit next to each other throughout the wedding, and leave together in a car decorated with flowers. A wedding cake, flowers, and piles of gifts are common now. Some women dress in traditional dress for the occasion, albeit in rich, sparking fabrics.