for me, i do not think that 6k is high for ping kam. as for parents, they might ask for this price not only for covering expenses during the wedding, but maybe testing to check if your future hubby has been saving for wedding or not?
those who actually save for wedding, will sure be able to take out 6k easily and i had heard some even asked for 10k, so 6k is just still not high.
if you felt it looks not so nice as like your parents selling daughter, just what is they demanding for 6k purpose...
my personal opinion is, if my parents asked my future hubby to pay 6k for ping kam, and he could not afford it, even though we had dated for 8 years, and he has been working for more than 8 years, then this kind of man, you should consider if he is worth loving. he didnt even know how to save for his future life and future family, meaning, no family planning, no future planning, meaning, in rainy days, you got to fork out your own even if it's necessary for you to borrow money because he do not have saving.
say that i m materialistic or i m money minded, but the guy who cannot afford to take out 6k for 8 years relationship and getting to married, is showing me one sign, which is the guy is not financially secure and he do not have planning.

I am sure he did not buy the house by his own, sure is a joint account to pay for the housing loan, so fair enough, if he claimed that he had to spare money for housing, but, he also had to bear in mind, if he is not from a moderate or quite good background, why the girl parents asked for 6k? and i work for 3 years, and i can saved for more than 6k.
please, do not say that the guy pay all for those bridal wedding photos, those honeymoon...as i believe, those are mutual understanding to share for the payment.
so, why cant afford to pay 6k?
juz ask the guy parents to ask themselves, they are juz stingy...
my two cents...