Included in the marriage contract is a meher, a formal statement specifying the monetary amount the groom will present to the bride. It is traditionally considered the bride’s security and guarantee of freedom within the marriage. There are two parts to the meher: a “prompt” due before the marriage is consummated, and a deferred amount, given to the bride throughout her life. Today, many couples use the ring as the prompt, since the groom presents it during the ceremony; the deferred amount can be a small sum offered as a formality, or it can actually be a gift of money, land, jewelry, or even an education. The gift remains the bride’s to use as she pleases.
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