Gamanit, I believe the chosson watch is an old minhag. A watch for the kallah is generally overkill, IMO.
The minhag is a pocket-watch Davka. Ayin Taamei HaMinhagim.
golfer – You miss the point. If Bill Gates or Rothschild wants to sponsor this guy’s wedding, Kol HaKavod. But if he is asking me for money, and I have a choice to give it to him to buy an apartment, or to my local Yeshiva so that people who can’t pay tuition don’t have to send their children to public school, or Hatzolah, which one should I do? And in a similar vein, if an organization has a choice to collect to pay for fancy weddings for fewer people, minimalistic weddings for more people, or tuition so that children don’t go to public school, which should they do?
Before you decide, realize that if you do give $25 to each guy who comes to your door, you’re not giving $2,000+ to your local Mosdos.
As always, AYLOR.
DY – Fair enough if that is considered the minimum regarding the hall and food.