Yeah, that's a factor too. I attended such negotiations in China at some point. The groom was in a weak position for the negotiations, so he had to "pay" a lot to buy the bride into his family. Again, more than 10 years ago, I'm sure things have changed and things are not that rigid anymore.

Lots of envelopes had to be given too to the bride's friends before the wedding for them to let her go.

The bride's family from her side might contribute by buying household items. I remember a wedding where everyone, one by one, had to test the new bridal bed they had received as a gift for their wedding.