Bridal price, one of the ancient wedding procedures in China, is also called bride price, betrothal gift and betrothal money. Generally, it is money or things that the man gives to the woman at the time of marriage. Since the marriage was concluded in China since ancient times, it has been the custom for the man to give the bride price and dowry to the woman when a preliminary marriage agreement is reached. This kind of bride price and dowry is commonly known as "bride price". If the woman goes back on her word, the bride price will be returned to the man; If the man goes back on his word, the bride price is generally not refunded. In buying and selling marriage, the bride price represents a woman's value, which is directly called the value bride price in some regions and ethnic groups. How much bride price the man's family sends to the woman's family depends on the requirements of the woman's family and the economic situation of the man's family. But it is not legally established, and the bride price is a feudal custom.

Different places have different customs.

I. Beijing-Tianjin Region

Beijing-Tianjin area can be divided into four types: Northern Rites, Southern Rites, Flag Rites and Han Rites. At the beginning of this century, Nanli gradually merged into Beili, forming the characteristics of Beijing wedding. In traditional marriage, the matchmaker first goes to the woman's house to propose marriage. After the marriage is recognized by both parties, the next step is the "small ceremony". The number of "small gifts" is determined by the man's financial resources, mostly four boxes of gifts. After the wedding date is selected, it is "big". In addition to the "dragon and phoenix stickers", "Dading" needs four packages of gifts, including clothes, jewelry, wine, meat, pasta and fruit.

Second, the three northeastern provinces

The marriage customs in the three northeastern provinces are somewhat similar to those in Beijing and Tianjin, but they are not the same. The "small gifts" in the three northeastern provinces require the woman to attend the gift-giving banquet at the man's house. The banquet needs to exchange "dragon and phoenix stickers", and the man also needs to give the woman a gold ring as a token of love. In addition, you need to prepare four gifts, namely a chicken; Eighty to a hundred eggs; Two Jin of brown sugar; Two Jin of fans. After the wedding date is set, there must be a "big decision", including four seasons clothing, jewelry, steamed bread, wine and so on. The day before the wedding is the day when the woman gives her dowry, which is mostly clothes, furniture, jewelry and so on.

Third, Jiangsu and Zhejiang regions.

After the matchmaker "sees" the looks of both men and women, the wedding etiquette should be "fixed" and exchange their birthdays, and the man will give the bride price to the woman for face-to-face counting. Most of the bride price is native products, Sang Ma fabrics, silk, tea and gifts. The more dowry the woman has, the better. Take the opportunity to show off her wealth. Weddings and subsequent visits are similar to those in the north.

Fourth, Huguang area.

After the matchmaker's wedding ceremony, after reading the eight characters, the matchmaker will change the dragon and phoenix stickers with the consent of both parents. At the same time, the man should give a "small engagement" gift, that is, a gold ring, earrings, a pair of golden pomegranates, engagement money, betel nuts, gift cakes and so on. After receiving the betrothal gift, the woman returned Four Treasures of the Study and muffins. Before marriage, the man wants "about", which is the saying "tea". When drinking tea, the man should prepare gifts, cakes, alcohol, tobacco, seafood, fish and so on. After the woman receives it in full, she will return the clothes, shoes, hats, cakes, sweets and so on, and agree on the wedding date of both parties.