Varied Wedding Customs
Today, I interviewed some people about the cultural wedding style, and then I realized that our cultures are completely different. However, most weddings' style is based on the religious practices.
In the United States, young couples decide whether they will get married or not, but the guy has to propose first. Before young couples get married, they have to plan the place of invitations, wedding dress, food and music. The bride's parent's pay for the wedding, groom's parents pay for band, and they also have to pay for the dinner the night before. A Priest of a Justice of the Peace marries the couples, sometimes in the church, bride wears a white dress, and the groom wears a tuxedo. People celebrate their wedding in a party, which brings all friends and family member together; people who come to the wedding have to bring a gift. The bride and groom usually move into their own house. Bride and groom usually get married between age 25 to 30.
Frajolin's culture has different kind of wedding style. It has another amorous feeling. Frojolin is from Dominican Republic. Young couples decide if they will get married or not, but they have to engage first the guys have to propose. Before people get married, they look for bride's flower girl and flower boy, they both have to be under age 5. For the wedding expense, usually the godmother and godfather pay for it. Their wedding usually takes place in church. Bride wears white wedding dress for taking pictures, later when it is on party, bride wears evening dress.
Normally, different places of China practice different wedding customs. In my hometown, the wedding ceremony is a serious occasion. It combines the Western style and the Eastern style together. In our society, we still keep some of our old customs. Matchmaker introduces their families to each other. Young couples' parents meet first,they talk to each other, ask each other questions, meanwhile they have to consider each families' background, education, and even worried about the personalities of bride and groom. If they think it's okay, they will allow their daughter/son to date each other. After a while, both young couples get engaged. Actually, parents and young couples make the decision together. Young couples have to get support form their parents. Before the wedding, they usually notify their relatives and friends by sending out invitation card. Young couples together go out and buy new stuff and new household appliances, they also decorate their house, they usually put so many red paper cutouts on the window, wall, and door. Groom has to give bride's parents at least 13 thousand dollars as the gift presented to the families of the bride-to-be at the engagement (or betrothal) party. The money includes 5 thousand dollars for brides diamond ring. 1 thousand dollars for bride's grandparents if they are still alive. 1 thousand dollars per each to bride's older brothers if they are married already. Then, parents keep rest of the 
money. They can use some money to buy gold as a gift to their daughter and son-in-law. 
For their wedding ceremonies, groom also is going to pay all expense. People who come to the wedding, if they are either groom of bride's friend, if they are older then two young couples, at least they have to sent two young couples a red envelope that has money in it.
If relatives (close relatives) they have to buy gold materials (necklace, bracelet, ring…..Etc.). This property belongs to both groom and bride. Groom wears white tuxedo and bride wears white wedding dress when they take the pictures. On the wedding day, in the morning, groom rents a long white car and drives to bride's house to pick up bride. Then they travel around, take pictures in the park, in front of church/a family hall for worshipping Buddha, and some famous places. In the evening, they come back to the palace restaurant, take pictures with some relatives and friends. All the process will be record on the video, too. Then, they change their clothing. Bride wears a red dress, is kind of traditional red clothing. Groom wears black suit. It is the time that wedding actually begin. Groom and bride first face to the people, and kowtow. (Actually are faces to the sky, but when it is in the restaurant, so have to face to people.) Then they turn round, face their parents and grandparents, and bend the knee and kowtow. Finally, they face each other and kowtow. Even though they make their wedding in the United States, they still do the same thing. Then, they serve their parents hot tea. While everybody is sitting on the table and starts to eat. Bride has to change to another outfit. This clothing is called cheongsam (a close fitting Chinese dress with side vents). Then, while bride is ready, both of groom's parents and bride's parents guide them to each table to meet both of their relatives and friends. Meanwhile, relatives and friends give out their gifts. While young couples walk around, the singers usually do some performance and dance with joy. After young couples finish meeting their friends, bride has to change her clothing again. Bride must wear evening dress. When bride comes out of dressing room, she usually sees people using chopsticks to beat either bowl of dish. Do you know what that means?
That means it is about time for young couples to sow off themselves. People usually ask young couples to kiss each other loudly, ask groom to hug bride and hold her in the arms, etc. In my culture, wedding ceremony is a formal occasion. (Normally, a person just gets one in his/her lifetime). Bride and groom live with their family members because majorities of Chinese are living in extended family. In China, the government made a policy that says the proper age for male is over 24, and female is over 22. They do that because the Chinese government wants to control the population. However, people can engage first, then wait until that age.
So far, we can see so many differences between those cultures. I think the wedding style is a best example for us to see the culture differences. If you want to know about other cultural customs, wedding is good one.