Samoan weddings are generally a huge social event. Fay Calkin's simple translation is 'trouble'. Basically a fa'alavelave is an obligation charged to the members of a family that is involved with a wedding, funeral, or other occasion requiring money.
Weddings are fa'alavelaves because they can, like funerals, be very costly to the families involved.
To begin with both families must provide for the bride several wedding dresses from which she will select two to wear on her wedding day. Ideally one dress selected will come from each of the families but not always. One dress is worn for the wedding service itself. The second dress is worn to the reception afterward. Following the wedding service is a reception which are usually held out of doors for lack of large enough facilities in most areas.