I am also European and at our wedding we had a thing where you "pay to dance with the bride " embarrassing much...kinda like the Greek pin the note on the dress. Anyway not sure I can say - oh that is terrible when I have done similar things myself but still seems way out there!
Tanster - Cultural things like this are NOT the same thing or even remotely close ... this couple are just sponging off others. They have been together for 8 years at least 4 of those years in their 20's. They have had enough time to pull their acts together and start saving!