This is the sad and most emotional part of a wedding. Basically this is the only sendoff they will get as the bride will be rushed off on the walima day.
It means they want cash.
As per tradition and culture within Asian families the men tend to wear Asian on wedding such as sherwani/shalwar suit and a suit or tux on the Walima as this is the formal reception and gathering. It does not matter about what side you are attending from. This is not a rule but merely a tradition hence a suit can be worn on both days. Hope this helped.
This depends one the culture of the area. There are regions where there are multiple events and ceremonies associated with the wedding, in these cases it is common to share these expenses. However, the "walima" should be financed by the groom, to show that he his able to financially care for his bride.
it depends. well most of the Indian weddings last for about 1 week as it includes many events like the engagement,wedding and reception. Indian weddings are very spiritual and fancy so a lot of time is used up for the weddings.
Muslim Wedding has two aspects, one is Relegious, and the other is Social aspect. Relegious cerememony is very simple. The Bridgroom arrives at Mosque, or Bride's house with his relatives. The relegious leader takes consent of the couple, The Bride normally does not sit among the crowed, she is inside another room, so, her Father, Uncle or some other relative with a couple of witness go there and seek her permission and consent for marriage. The bride has to say it loud. Then those witness come to male section and announce that bride has consented. The relegious leader (or anyother Muslim with sound relegious knowledge) recites verses from Holy Quran and Quotes the Sayings (Hadees) of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The bridegroom is asked if he accepts the bride as her wife, and he accepts loudly all the participants become witness of the marriage, and they are declared Couple. Normally Dry Fruits and sweets are offered to participants of the occasion (Nikah), which may lead to a dinner or the bride or her father/Guardian sets an amount as "Mehar" which is bride's right to receive immediately or at a later stage. The amount is based on mutual understanding and prevailing financial condition of the bridgroom. The bride goes with the family of her husband to her in laws. The husbans has to invite family and friends at a Lunch Dinner or reception next day or within few days of marriage, this event is called Walima, and it is mandatory to those who may afford it, the extent is from few grains to a lavish dinner.... anything. Socially, there are many traditions and customs associated with this function now, and marriage ceremeomony may last for few days owing to different occasions, pre-marriage events and post marriage events. The Muslim marriages are also colourful events, as the local culture and tradition are blended with the mentioned above relegious ceremony, so there may be a little musical enetertrainment, get togathers, dinners and lunches and active participation of Friends of the couple. In most cases the male and female stay separate for all the events, but liberal and modern society marriages are like combined parties.
Muslim women are generally tend to do more sins while Hindu women are not.Hindu women take Sindur while the other not.