Taking a woman's permission before taking from her Mahr

Q: It is an old custom of some villages in the south of the Kingdom to take a sum of money from the father of the bride when she gets married outside the village. The money is taken in return for the participation of the people of the village in the wedding and accompanying the father of the bride to the village of the groom. This sum is accumulated by some trustworthy people of the village who are known for their honesty. The money is to be spent as they say on solving the problems which may face the village, protecting some important properties, cultivating the agricultural areas of the village, entertaining the village guests and giving some help in opening new roads, marriage aids and suchlike. The people of the village do not know exactly how much was collected, as no statement of accounts, of expenditures and balance left, was given for several years. This does not mean that we doubt the honesty of those who collect this money, but we would just like to know the matter. Your Eminence, if the father of the bride refuses to pay the sum, the people of the village refuse to accompany him to the wedding place, i.e., to the village of the groom. He will be embarrassed and become in a critical situation which forces him to pay the sum in order that it will not to be said about him that he has no family or he is an undesired person. (Part No. 19; Page No. 73) Some people threaten him not to visit him or attend his funeral if he does not pay the sum.The question here is: What is the validity of this? Is there any sin on the people who collect this money? Is this money illicit?We hope that Your Eminence will kindly answer these questions. May Allah make the answer in your balance of good deeds. May Allah benefit Muslims with your knowledge and make it for the sake of Allah.