I think its something that needs to be discussed with everyone before hand. The bride, groom, and both their parents should sit together to discuss it. I know someone who on the nikkah day, the brides father told the groom, you have to give my daugher $25,000 (canadian dollars) for mahr, and you have to pay it upfront, or she wont sign the nikkah! This all happened at the bharat, while the guests were sitting in the hall. There was so much aruging, and the bride was quiet the whole time and didnt say anything. After so much aruging, they agreed on $10,000, paid only if they got a divorce. And of course, how could you not get divorced, if your marriage started like this. Sure enough, 6 months later they were separated, and are now divorced!
thats disgraceful how can he do that on the day of the nikah itself with all the guests present? as if the groom can magically make any sum appear out of thin air. thats a stupid amount. was the guy really loaded or something?