Re: Guy vs. Girl’s family - who foots the bill
What I described doesn’t necessarily reflect all Afghan cultures. It is primarily our culture (Pashtuns) that insists that the guy shoulder the entire costs of the wedding.
From what I’ve observed, Tajiks and Uzbeks tend to divide the wedding costs a bit more equally, although the guy is still expected to cover a more of the costs. My husband’s sister married a Herati (non-Pashtun) gentleman and from what I saw, they were a bit more egalitarian in dividing the wedding expenses and divided the costs along the lines of 60/40 as opposed to expecting the him to pay for everything.
**Edit: I also wanted to add that we don’t do the whole gifts to in-laws bit (to either side), so that somewhat takes away some of the cost.