BUYING OUT

"May this marriage be full of laughter, our every day in paradise." — Rumi

BRITAIN

Father leads the bride to the altar. When they reach the altar, the bride’s father hands her over to her future husband who takes her hand. The father who "gives away" his daughter at her wedding ceremony is following an ancient tradition that has evolved over hundreds, if not thousands, of years. The custom dates back to the time when a daughter was considered property, and the groom had to pay a price to her family before he could be permitted to marry his intended.                 

 BELARUS

In our tradition it is considered that only the priest can “give away” the bride to the groom

The groom has to pay money for the bride. The custom dates back to the time when a daughter was considered property, and the groom had to pay a price to her family before he could be permitted to marry his intended. This tradition has survived to this day. Close relatives of the bride and the bridesmaids try to complicate the way of the groom to the bride’s room to check the strength of his feelings. They create all sorts of interference on his way. Bribes today are the same as they were before: the ransom money, alcohol and sweets.