Alternatives to dollar dance

Would they still have to pay to take a photo? I would skip any part that needs a payment from a guest.

The general consensus around here is that dollar dances (or anything else that requires your guests to fork out money) are frowned upon. I’ve seen dollar dances done at weddings and wasn’t so much a fan, but whatever works for you and FH. I mostly just came here to prepare you for the possibly unkind comments that you might get in response to this.

Tradition?

I've been to several weddings and none of them had a dollar dance. I think forgoing it will be just fine.

In some cultures, a money dance is tradition and expected.

If that's the case for you and your FH then I don't see anything wrong with finding something for a replacement. Taking a picture is a rather cute alternative.

View Quoted Comment It can very much be a cultural thing. I know a number of Polish weddings that have it.

The picture idea is super cute! Maybe you could do one of those cute Polaroid cameras? Then the guest gets to take the picture right away!

It’s very common where I live, the majority of people have German and/or Norwegian ancestry so that might be part of it. From what I’ve heard it’s a very regional cultural thing. Although I’m not sure that I’ve seen it in the last 10 years or so...maybe it’s gone out of style here after all? Anyway, I can see why if you’ve never seen it before it could seem weird or tacky. But for some it’s tradition. With that said, I’m not sure an alternative dollar idea would really work.

I personally am skipping anything where guests need to pay extra. Just enjoy the night and spend time with your guests. I feel that a dollar dance is no longer tradition. I have been to three weddings in the past year and none of them had a dollar dance.

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And it's still very much acceptable to skip it, even if you are Polish, or any other culture that does it. I am very Polish, we skipped it, and I guarantee you no one missed it.

A photo booth would be fun but don't charge your guests to spend time with you.

I've seen money trees as an alternative to Dollar dances.

I would say you could do the dance minus the money but you stated you do not like dancing with strangers. The picture thing is cute!

We HAVE to have a dollar dance or my parents would kill me. Had a post wanting to learn about dollar dances awhile back. Be prepared for some strong opinions on here. I personally love dancing with people so I am beyond excited about it!

You could place a ticket under everyone's chargers that would say something cute about a ticket to polka with the bride/groom during the dance. This way no one is being asked to fork out money. However, if you still have friends and family who want to do the tradition they would still be able to give money and throw it in the bag anyways. Thought that could be a good happy medium. If someone looses the ticket they could obviously still dance with the bride and groom but was a cute way to show money was not expected.

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Yes. I'm surprised they don't come with instructions that only $50s and $100s are acceptable.

View Quoted Comment I thought dollar dances were more of a 70's thin than a cultural thing. I did not have one the first time nor will i have one this time. No charging guests to dance with me!

View Quoted Comment Sort of. Like the dollar dance it's a cultural thing, it's also referred to as a wishing tree.

It's a literal branch or small tree used aa a centerpiece and guests clip money to the tree throughout the night. More frequently, there will be small envelopes there, the guests place the money inside the envelope and write a wish for b & g on the outside, then clip / tie the envelope to the tree.

My Mom asked me if I was going to do one at my wedding ,and that was a fast no from me. I think they are better suited for showers and not the wedding itself.

We are leaving a “honeymoon fund” change jar out but that’s it. It’s not going to be “talked” about or brought up. Just if guests want to they can throw their change in there.

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I came across this wedding photo at my venue. Just saying... if we had friends like this (I do not) I totally would own it and admit I was doing it for the money. I have actually never seen it done throwing money at the couple, only tied in tight knots to make it annoying to untie.

Now that is a money dance!

I really like the idea of using the photo booth, but don’t charge for it. Just do it so it gives you a chance to talk to everyone, and everyone gets a picture with you.

View Quoted Comment If i were this couple I would be so humiliated that this photo was on the internet. Oh geez 🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️

View Quoted Comment What is a money tree?