If both agreed, the groom handed over the so-called marriage dowry to the bride’s father in ancient Germania (until around 300 BC) – a kind of down payment. This was considered an official engagement. Later the reverse exchange of goods became common, the bride and her family brought in the marriage dowry. Today – at least in western countries – an engagement is an emotional and romantic occasion. The exchange of goods has changed to the exchange of an engagement ring. The meaning, promising to marry one another has remained the same.
