The same wedding idea in 18 places, grouped by region. Each entry is a short portrait; follow the link for the full tradition.
Guests and relatives give shagun in an envelope, with an odd amount such as 501 or 1,101, since the extra rupee is lucky and the sum cannot be divided evenly. The groom's side may receive a tilak gift and the family of the bride often bears most of the costs.
Shagun, being writtenRelatives give salami, cash tucked into the hand or an envelope, and the groom's family presents the mahr and often jewellery to the bride. The dowry, jahez, is widely given even though many scholars and campaigners criticise it, and laws in several provinces limit its size.
Mahr, being writtenGuests give an envelope with cash at the reception, and the groom's family brings trays of gifts, the sinh le, to the bride's home. Red and gold are the favoured colours of the gifts.
Vietnamese wedding, being writtenGuests give a red hongbao at the reception, and the bride's family may receive a betrothal gift, caili, from the groom's side. The sum is often even for good luck and avoids 4, which sounds like death.
Read: Red envelopeGuests give a white buijo envelope at the door, with 50,000 won to 100,000 won or more, depending on closeness, and often an amount that covers the meal. Odd-numbered notes and the bank number are avoided, and the amount is a topic of care.
Culture of South Korea, being writtenThe groom's family traditionally pays a bride price, the kalym, which is now officially discouraged or banned in several Central Asian states, while in practice gifts of livestock, cash or goods still change hands. Guests give cash gifts at the toi.
Kalym, being writtenThe groom pays the mahr, which is set in the contract and belongs to the bride, and he often funds the wedding hall. Some countries have set limits on the mahr and wedding spending, and group weddings are held for families who cannot afford a big party.
Mahr, being writtenThe ketubah sets out the husband's financial obligations to his wife, and guests give gifts or money, with 18 (chai, life) often used as a multiple. Some communities hold free or low-cost weddings through charity funds.
Read: KetubahGuests bring cash gifts, and the groom pays the sdaq, the bride's marriage gift set in the contract, which is often modest by law and custom. Families still spend a lot on the dresses, food and musicians for a weekend of celebration.
Moroccan wedding, being writtenGuests spray naira notes on the couple as they dance, and the bride's family names a bride price list that is often symbolic. The practice of aso ebi, matching cloth sold to relatives, adds to the costs for guests.
Read: Aso ebiThe groom's family pays lobola to the bride's, traditionally in cattle and now usually in cash, after negotiation by representatives. It is seen as a mark of respect between families, and critics note the pressure it puts on young men.
Lobola, being writtenGuests give a busta, an envelope of cash, often a sum meant to cover their meal, and the couple give sugared almonds, confetti, in a small bag called a bomboniera. The registry, lista nozze, is also used.
Bomboniera, being writtenAt the oczepiny guests pay to dance with the bride in a money dance, and the cash goes to the couple. Guests also give an envelope, often matched to the cost of the meal.
Oczepiny, being writtenAt the dance of the couple, guests pin banknotes to the bride's dress and the groom's clothes, and the money is a gift for the new household. Envelopes are given at the church or at the reception.
Greek wedding, being writtenCouples set up a registry of gifts, and guests are expected to cover about the cost of the meal in a gift or cheque. The average wedding costs a high five-figure sum in dollars, and many couples pay part of it themselves.
Read: Wedding registryAt the dollar dance, el baile del billete or the money dance, guests pin cash to the couple's clothes for the right to dance, and the padrinos pay for items such as the cake or the music. A madrina de pastel pays for the cake.
Read: Money danceCouples keep a lista de casamento at a shop and guests give gifts, with cash funds for the honeymoon now common. In the dance of the gravata, guests pay to cut off bits of the groom's tie, and the money goes to the couple.
Read: Wedding registryFamilies trade gifts such as the tabua whale's tooth, mats, tapa cloth and food, and in Samoa fine mats and money are given at the fa'a Samoa wedding. The exchange builds the bond between the two families rather than being a payment.
Read: TabuaWritten by the EveryShaadi desk with AI assistance. Customs differ from place to place and family to family. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.
Every week: one wedding tradition from somewhere new, the wedding days coming up around the world, and one idea explained.