Money Dance

View Quoted Comment

I am with Cassandra. If you are having a cash bar (which I am not chapping on, btw) you are asking people to pay for two different things at your reception that should be provided - dancing and drinks. Please pass on this - it was a "thing" back in the 70's and it needs to stay gone along with bell bottoms, 8 track players and Watergate.

View Quoted Comment

Love that, how fun!

View Quoted Comment

Super helpful, thank you!

View Quoted Comment

I am not having a cash bar, we aren't having any alcohol. We aren't asking people to pay, it's totally up to them. A money dance isn't a necessity for people to join into, so it's not as though we are charging them to dance. That is my opinion, anyway, but I know it's looked down upon.

An alternative that is very popular where I am from is playing a song for the bride (and one later for the groom) then people make a circle around her and she dances with each of them. I have only seen it with the song "I knew the bride when she used to rock and roll." (Don't even know if that's the title, but it's definitely in the chorus). It's fun. It was mostly people who I have known a long time and watched me grow up. I don't remember the groom's song. And there was no money.

View Quoted Comment

Oh cool, I will talk to my FH about that idea too, though I think he will like the money dance better because that's what he has done more of at other weddings haha

The money dances that I have seen in the Latino culture that I am familiar with, people dance with the bride and pin money to her dress!

View Quoted Comment

I've never seen a money dance last 20 or 25 minutes. It's usually 5-10 minutes long where I'm from, basically 2 or 3 songs, depending on how many guests there are that want to participate. If you have a huge guest list, and most of them want to dance with the bride or groom, then it will last a bit longer. But as long as people are lined up, you have your DJ keep playing songs.

Also, I see comments here about a container for the money. The way I've always seen it done is that one of the bridal party has a box of straight pins or safety pins. The guests take their dollar (or $5, whatever), and pin it to the bride's dress or the groom's suit as they dance. It's kind of cute because at the end of the dance, the couple is covered in money! I know a lot of people frown on this activity, but it's something I grew up witnessing in all of the weddings I've attended or been in. I always thought it was a lot of fun!! We are doing one. The other thing I like about it is that it gives the bride and groom a chance to have at least part of a dance with EVERYONE. That doesn't usually happen at most weddings. The guests usually like that they'll have a moment with the bride or groom, that they wouldn't get otherwise.

I'm going to put it on my wedding website, and also try to just spread the word through our families.

View Quoted Comment Thank you! This comment reassured me. I haven’t been to many weddings, especially recently, but FH has and it’s common in Wichita KS. Thank you so much Cristy!

View Quoted Comment

This is actually a really common wedding tradition where I'm from. A lot of people see it as a great way to spend a little time with each guest and raise a little honeymoon money. You're asking for people to donate, not demanding it and it's usually just a couple of dollars. I don't think it's rude at all.

A dollar dance is when anyone can pay a dollar and can dance with you. usually it takes place during the reception at any point people can request a dance for a dollar.

https://www.theknot.com/content/the-dollar-dance-wedding-etiquette-demystified-what-you-need-to-know-about-doing-onehttps://www.theknot.com/content/the-dollar-dance-wedding-etiquette-demystified-what-you-need-to-know-about-doing-one

Though I’m not doing a dollar dance, my very Italian family wants me to. So these “it is extremely rude to ask for money” comments just aren’t true. Yeah, maybe it’s outdated, but like others have said, if it’s part of your culture go ahead!