They ruin their own lives for the sake of a wedding
We invited Ismail to a picnic to learn more about Afghan marriage customs, which often come with enormous costs. He's relieved he married in Morocco in a small setting, avoiding the financial burden common in Afghanistan.
To limit expenses, the Afghan government passed a law capping wedding guests at 500, highlighting how extravagant these events can be. Ismail explains that many Afghan men struggle to meet these high expectations, leading some to marry in groups of 20 or 30 to cut costs. In addition to hosting a wedding, grooms must also pay a dower, often relying on family support, loans, or working abroad in countries like Pakistan or Iran to afford it.