The origin of some customs, particularly those of Western countries, are less well known, although practices associated with these customs are common knowledge.  The Bible mentions confirming an engagement by the gift of a ring to the prospective bride as a pledge to honor their agreement.  History shows that this tradition was carried on in ancient Greece and Rome.  It is still customary in contemporary Western society for a new groom to present his prospective bride with a diamond ring as a token of love and a promise that marriage is in their future.

     Early European marriage arrangements tended to be based upon economics rather than love and were usually negotiated by parents, being too serious a decision to be left to young people.  In Britain, from Anglo-Saxon times until the mid-sixteenth century, the groom or his family actually purchased his wife from her family and gave money or property known as the wed to the bride's father.  This process became known as the wedding.  In eighteenth century France, it was customary to pay after signing the marriage