For Saudi villagers, new rules reduce marriage costs

Residents agree to limit expenses on ceremonies

Manama: Residents in a village in southwestern Saudi Arabia have agreed on a set of regulations that limit spending on wedding ceremonies and on condolence gatherings

The Governor said that the regulations would be highly beneficial, would reduce expenses and would avoid exaggerations.

He added that group marriages should be encouraged in order to further reduce the costs of marriages and public ceremonies.

dding ceremonies and on condolence gatherings.

The regulations were reached by the residents of Al Jafa in Al Baha Region after they agreed that the exorbitant amounts spent to uphold local traditions in celebrating marriages or during gatherings of people offering their condolences were causing serious financial issues.

The regulations were drafted in an officially binding document that was endorsed by the Governor of Al Baha, Saudi news site Al Marsad reported on Wednesday.

Under the new regulations, the financial dowry to be handed over by the groom to the first-time bride will not exceed 40,000 Saudi riyals, while a second-time bride will receive up to 30,000 Saudi riyals.

Condolence banquets, traditionally held for those who come to offer their sympathies to families, have been banned. The timing for offering condolences was limited to between Asr (afternoon) to Maghrib (sunset) prayers, which excludes dinners.