The man would live in his wife's home under her father's jurisdiction. A man might have to half-marry because of a lack of wealth or social standing, or if his father did not approve of his bride. A woman's family might allow her to half marry because they had no sons and needed another man in the family, or if there were Shaman powers in the family. About one in four marriages were half-marriages. Turquoise and silver jewelry are worn by both the bride and the groom in addition to a silver concho belt.
Jewelry is considered a shield against evils including hunger, poverty and bad luck.
The tribes of northern California include the Klamath, the Modoc and the Yurok. A Delaware Native American girl who reached puberty may have had her union prearranged by her parents. Often a couple just lived together as man and wife. To mark the occasion, there was a simple exchange of jewelry, blankets or a belt of wampum to the girl's parents. If the parents accepted the gifts the union was sanctioned.