Background

• Dishesrouge image by Eric MATVEEFF from Fotolia.com
  
  Over centuries, trousseau's have been provided by a bride's family in order to help the new husband to adequately provide a living for his wife and future children. It also better ensured that they'd be taken care of if he died.
  
  

African Customs

• Middle Eastern womanasian woman in national dress image by Arman Zhenikeyev from Fotolia.com
  
  In many African tribes today, a bride price is often paid by the groom's family. This might happen solely based on a shortage of eligible women in the area. In other parts of the continent, a payment by the prospective groom to the bride's family is considered a sign of both good taste and respect.
  
  

Asian Customs

• Sarifemmes en saris image by harmonie57 from Fotolia.com
  
  In Asian societies, a bride's family is usually required to provide a trousseau before the wedding can take place. It also helps to empower the bride by helping to guarantee decent treatment after the marriage.
  
  

European Customs

• Bathrobewoman trying on clothes image by forca from Fotolia.com
  
  In modern Europe, a trousseau is usually provided by the bride's family, and consists of the bridal gown, clothing for a honeymoon, and small household items, along with gifts of cash to the newly married couple.
  
  

American Customs

• Blenderblender with milk cocktail image by Nikolay Okhitin from Fotolia.com
  
  During America's frontier days, mothers taught their daughters to sew and perform household chores as they were growing up. A "hope chest" was filled with clothing and other items for the daughter's marriage. Today, the bride's parents normally pay for the wedding, and provide a trousseau for the honeymoon.