When living in Indonesia, I was often invited to two weddings on the same day as it is normal to bring along your own friends, resulting in huge numbers of guests.
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Also it is more common to give money to avoid duplication with so many people - 10 toasters, 12 rice cookers.
Indonesia has over 300 recognised ethnic groups and as many variations to the wedding ceremony.
In one region, the bride is 'kidnapped' from her parents' house, pretends to act distressed while the bride's family arrange a fake search without success. In the meantime, she will be praying with her husband to symbolise the start of their new life together.
In another region, the couple have a veil over their heads indicating there are now two people with one mind. Together the couple kiss the knees of their parents, reassuring them that they will continue to serve them.
Some interesting traditions of other countries include: a region of Germany where couples saw a log with a cross-cut saw to symbolise a future of working together; in the USA, burying a bottle of Bourbon upside-down one month ahead of the wedding and then sharing with the guests; and in the Czech Republic, where the couple are wrapped together in a sheet and have to feed themselves from one bowl of soup with one spoon with their hands tied together to symbolise their future together.
I am often surprised at the casual approach to weddings in Australia and the different attitudes couples have.
Someone told me that in Australia, a man is incomplete until married, then he is finished. I think it was a joke.
