symbolical kidnapping of the bride

A particular Chinese custom springs to mind:

The bride stays in a 'fortified' location with all her female friends The groom is supposed to round up his male friends and get past the defenders to steal away the bride. Bribes of money (in ceremonial little red envelopes) are the most common way to get past the defenders, but sneaking is also okay, and some of the male friends are supposed to 'distract' some of the female friends.