As the Guo Da Li items are prepared by the groom's side, we tend to see couples adhering to the items required of the groom's dialect group although it is also not uncommon to see families adhering to the bride's dialect group out of respect. That said, couples can compromise by using a combination of items specific to their respective dialects (since the majority part of the list is the same for all dialects). We strongly encourage the bride and groom to discuss and confirm the items and customs with their families.

Traditionally, the groom delivers the Guo Da Li items with a match-maker. But in the modern context, the match-maker role has since been replaced by an aunt of the groom and with some close friends. Additionally, the groom's parents are not required to go although they are not restricted from going.

Back in the day, it was common for the parents of the groom and the bride to prepare and pay for the Guo Da Li and Dowry items respectively. This is because couples often marry at a much younger age than today and couples back then often do not have much wealth. Nowadays, we see most couples paying for these items themselves although some parents prefer to follow the tradition and pay for these items.

The Pin Jin, which is part of the Guo Da Li, is a show of appreciation and respect for the bride's family. It is often pegged to the financial means of the groom's family. Sometimes, it is also common for the families to discuss internally beforehand. The amounts given tend to consist of numbers with the auspicious number '8' and commonly range between $888 to $8,888.

The Dowry items are usually prepared before the Guo Da Li ceremony and will be passed to the groom during Guo Da Li. Do note that it is common for a portion of the Guo Da Li items to be returned to the groom's family as well.

Upon receipt of the Guo Da Li items and the Pin Jin, the bride and her family will return a portion (usually about half of the items) to signify that they are willing to "share the joy". Apart from the aforementioned, do note that the following items are to be returned to the groom's family: 1. A pair of dragon and phoenix candles (to be lit by the groom's family on the actual day when the groom sets off to escort the bride). 2. A portion of the four treasures (四京果), i.e. red dates; lily buds; dried longans; and lotus seeds. These are to be used to make tea during the Tea Ceremony.