The Iran-Iraq war was the reason for the countless migrants and refugees that travelled from Iran to many countries at the time … The requirement was tolerating alienation and the dream was of a better life. The trend of “holding wedding ceremonies in absentia of the groom” began from this point. Male immigrants and refugees in exile desired to form the Iranian household… the family in Iran seeking to fulfill this yearning, looked for a suitable bride for their beloved son. Sometimes a man in love accepted exile, left his beloved and suffered heartache to create a better life for both of them. In either case of the lover or the stranger across the borders and the bride in white, alone among the guests at the celebration, had the telephone as the only way of communication……… After the wedding vows were spoken, the groom agreed to a partnership with the bride by phone with the notary listening in, the cheers and sounds of joy by the guests made it difficult to hear the bride’s consent for him. A family was created in this way… amidst the gladness, rejoicing and dancing of the guests … but all unmindful of the alienated groom and the lonely bride in the midst of the company.

This is the story of women who fantasized a better life outside Iran during the Iran–Iraq War and accepted to be picture brides, committing without the groom present. The result of this absence and the “I do” on the phone was a lack of understanding by the couple of each other. This was just the tip of the iceberg.

I am an artist from Iran in the Middle East. My whole life, I have been plagued by wars in my or neighboring countries. And so, the word ‘war’ has become synonymous with the Middle East.

Prolonged military conflict between Iran and Iraq during the 1980s caused Iranians immigrant and refugee to other countries. For marriage they select brides from their native country (Iran) by their family who paired bride and groom using only photographs and family recommendations of the possible candidates. A wedding party without groom and only with his picture and bride says “yes, I do.” via telephone. Then bride wishes this wedding brings her the best luck with her unseen husband and a little knowing about him. Brides immigrate to grooms’ residence country. Same as what happened in U.S.A in 20th century.