Historically, among Rroma (as among others), weddings did traditonally occur at an early age - for boys, between 15 and 17, for girls between 14 and 16. This is changing or has already changed among most Rroma. Nowadays, they marry not really earlier nor later than the general population. However, in most places, Rroma marriages are rarely official.
Possible
wives for one's son are sought by hearsay, that is, Rroma tell each other whose
girl, from which family has the right age to marry. The father and mother of
the bridegroom (to be) sometimes pay a visit to the parents of the girl. The
parents of the boy look for a future daughter in law who is beautiful,
resourceful and from a well known family and clan. Should they (and both the bride and groom to be) like the
match, the ceremony - called among Vlach Rroma mangavimos
lit. the proposition- corresponding to a betrothal can begin. In some groups,
money is paid for the bride, sometimes large sums. Even now, this tradition of
"buying" the bride has remained very much alive among Vlach Rroma,
especially so among the Kalderaša. No banknotes are used in the
transaction and the sum is paid in gold coins, sometimes as much as 200-300 or
even more.
This is not to say that the bride's parent are indifferent to their future son in law. He has to be nice, hard working and from a good family. Should either side find either the boy or the girl not to their liking, they'll simply refuse the match. The choice and ultimate decision rests on the parental side. Among Kalderaša, there are sometimes early agreements of betrothal, when the children are sometimes still in the cradle. In any case, should the wedding not take place, the parents of either the boy or girl will have to pay a fine.