A bride is a woman who is about to marry. Her future spouse is called the bridegroom. Other guests are her maid, bridesmaids, and possibly groomsmen. Early 20th century brides wore darker-colored dresses. The term “bride price” was also used to refer to a bride’s parents. However, the price has become controversial with the growth of modernity in many parts of Africa. Some say it promotes social justice, while others argue it encourages slavery.
In ancient Greece, bride price was a customary gift, but it was not as significant as the dowry. In fact, the bride price came to represent a burden for many families. In modern times, this tradition is almost nonexistent. However, the price of a bride is an important factor when it comes to the validity of a traditional marriage. The price can range anywhere from a token amount to exorbitant figures. So how much money should a bride cost?
The bride price, also known as bride wealth, refers to the wealth paid to a woman’s parents prior to marriage. It is usually understood in terms of market value and compensation for the loss of fertility and labor. It may also be understood as a symbolic gesture of goodwill on the part of the groom to the bride’s family in establishing a new union of the lineages. Here are some examples of bride price:
Traditionally, the bride’s family pays for most wedding-day expenses, including the rehearsal dinner and honeymoon. However, some couples choose to pay for their wedding ceremony, such as a sexton, organist, and other vendors. The groom will also pay for the marriage license, officiant fee, and hotel room block for out-of-town guests. And don’t forget to thank the bride’s family for their contributions. If they do, you’ll be glad you did.
In China, the bride’s parents choose an auspicious date to Ti Qin, which is the formal proposal of marriage. During the Ti Qin, the families of both the bride and groom meet and agree on the price of the bride. This ceremony typically takes place a few weeks before the wedding. Then, the groom’s family returns the bride price as dowry on the wedding day. If the bride’s parents decide to accept the marriage, the groom will return the price as dowry to his family.
In many cultures, a bride’s family will pay the maid of honor. The maid of honor helps the bride dress, attends the wedding ceremony, and signs the marriage license as the bride’s witness. In addition to her duties at the ceremony, the maid of honor will help the bride get ready for her reception and arrange bridesmaid formal pictures. The maid of honor will also assist the bride change into her wedding gown and ensure that the bride’s dress is kept safely.
Among Western cultures, the bride will wear a white wedding gown. Western brides will usually wear white or cream-colored gowns. Unlike in ancient times, the color of a bride’s dress has nothing to do with her sexual background. In the West, however, white wedding dresses are widely adopted as wedding attire. The bride will usually change from one dress to another several times during the wedding day. This is a custom that is not widely observed today.