Wedding ceremonies vary according to ethic group the bride and the groom belong. But all wedding have to make place on an auspicious day, as advised by a local lama. This is done in consultation with the traditional lunar calendar. Before the wedding date is negotiated relatives of the groom arrive at the brides home (or ger) with a mass of presents. Historically the main presents were livestock and in the countryside these traditions have continued. The number of livestock given depends on the wealth of the groom's family, but an odd number of animals have to be presented to the bride's relatives (e.g. 7, 9 or 11). The bride's father is given special presents (including a pot of glue) symbolizing the strength of the future relationship between his daughter and her new husband. If the bride's parents accept all these gifts, they are also agreeing to the wedding. Both sides then discuss the date of the ceremony and consider the couple now formally engaged.

In the countryside a groom-to-be prepares his new ger with the assistance of his parents. The future bride's responsibilities are buying cooking pots and cleaning materials, preparing the stove in the new ger the layer of felt on the ger ceiling. Tasks are clearly defined.

The man always takes care of the walls and wooden furniture. On the day of the wedding ceremony the groom visits the bridal family with an elderly, respected member of the local community. When the two men arrive at the in laws door, they will find it locked and have to persuade the family to open the door by uttering wise, appeasing words. Once they have charmed their way in they are provided with Mongolian arkhi and meat, at they approach the new bride. Phrases such as "the deer hunter (husband) is ours and the sable sewer (wife) is yours. We hold both their fates our hands and these fates have to be merged" are spoken. The bride, dressed in her most elegant deel, follows the groom and his companion to her new home, followed by her own closest friends. The party arrive on horse back and a carpet is rolled from the ger entrance to welcome them. The bride traditionally enters her new ger by noon and a huge meal starts, with the first toast being offered to the father of the groom. For the rest of the day the two families, their relatives and friends sing, eat and drink to celebrate the wedding, all sit around a large ceremonial table. The next morning the new bride has to open the smoke holes of her own ger and and the ger belonging to her new parents in-law. Three days later her own parents visit the new couple.