Would u give / take dowry for your marriage?

I am getting married next year and in Australia you can have a wishing well instead of gifts where your guests give money. This is a very common way as most couples already live together and have everything they need so it helps if you need to pay for your honeymoon or need to get ahead somewhere in life. I don't think I could accept money from parents as I am too independant.

I think the idea of a dowry is a little antiquated. But then again, I'm not sure I totally understand it. But it feels to me as if the family would be paying to have their child married off and that doesn't seem right to me.