medieval (fantasy) weddings

[alsih2o]

i was looking at http://www.medieval-weddings.net/index.htm and noticed the section on gifts.

wifes family - dowry
husbands family- home and income
gift to priest

then it said that husbands usually gave their wives a small, expensive piece of furniture the morning after, as payment for what was taken from her the night before.
(does grandma allow talk of the v word?)

i was wondering if anybody had any cool thoughts about what dowries and such might be like in the fantasy setting. or if anyone had used one in a plot.

i am trying to put together "brother of the bride has to aquire a dowry for his sister" plot

 

[KitanaVorr]

depends on the groom's family. what are they like? what do they want? Are they simple people? People with extravagant tastes? A wizard who wants magical items for example...etc...

 

[Jaligard]

I know that the newlyweds were often given a month's supply of ale or mead after the wedding.

This is where we get the terms bridal (birde ale) and honeymoon (enough mead--made from honey--to last one month).