Do you guys think a dollar dance is in poor ettiquette at a wedding?

Question

I'm not sure what I think of the tradition. It would be fun to do one, and I've seen them done, but from an ettiquette standpoint, is it tacky? Would my guests be offended? Also, is there one right way to do it? I've seen glass boxes used at Italian weddings and I've heard of people actually pinning money to the bride's dress at others. Not sure if maybe the way you go about it has a lot to do with how people respond to it?

Does it vary from culture to culture perhaps?

By the way, I'm from SC if that helps. I'm not sure if its just a southern thing? Any input on that would be helpful.

I guess with the whole culture thing I'm a little worried his side of the family will think its tacky. He's from upstate NY in the Catskills (super small town) and I don't know how it will go over.

Answer 1

Etiquette wise, Miss Manners would probably die before have one at her wedding. That being said, I've been to many weddings that have them. We did not, because we had a rather formal wedding. However, in hindsight, I wish we had because it gives the bride and groom another opportunity to briefly chat with the guests at the wedding.

I've seen them done very casually and very tacky and I've seen them done where a table will be set up with candy bars and shots of liquor, then the person pays the dollar to the person attending the table, gets a treat, and dances with the bride or groom.

I'm originally from Michigan. Since I moved to the South, I don't think I've seen it down here.

Answer 2

We did it at our wedding, and it was great fun, probably the most fun of the night, especially since alot of the guys were paying a dollar to dance with my husband...it was pretty funny. Anyway, I had a small white purse type thingy with a drawstring made out of the same material as my gown, and that is what we used for the money. I don't think it is tacky unless you have a lot of uptight people that are going to attend.
Oh, I had never heard of it before, but my Mother in law suggested it, and it seemed to be well known. We made over $600. I couldn't believe it!

Answer 3

I've seen it at a number of weddings and they seem to get a great response from the guests. Its only as "tacky" as you make it. I'm not sure there is a right or a wrong way to do it - put your own personal spin on it to make it more memorable. I personally think its a great way for the new couple to get some extra cash for their honeymoon.

Answer 4

Yes i do think it varies from culture to culture. I have seen it done at many weddings. i would not suggest pinning it on the dress in fear that it may pull the material on the dress. though i am not totally for this tradition, i think it gives many of the guests a chance to dance with both the bride and groom for a short moment and intimately congratulate them. Go for it have fun and get a little cash at the same time. good luck .

Answer 5

I don't really think it is tacky because the guests have the option if they want to participate or not.
When I was younger,I remember going to many weddings where they would "kidnap" the bride.The only way they would bring her back was when they raised a certain amount of money as the ransom.That to me was tacky because as guests,you were almost forced to give money to get her back.
Bottom line is,it is YOUR wedding,you should be able to do whatever you want.

Answer 6

When one of my husband's friends got married, one of the groomsmen collected the dollars, and there was a line to dance with the bride. My six year old was very excited to dance and be a part of the wedding. I'm sure, though, that someone somewhere would find it a tacky tradition, but who cares what they think as long as the bride and groom are happy.

Answer 7

Pinning money on the dress seems tacky, but I think a money dance is a good idea!

My friend's wedding was the most elegant I've ever been to, and they had a money dance....
I danced with the groom and he and his bride LOVED it. It's a good chance to mingle with others in attendance - dancing is very intimate and some good conversation and/or new friendships will likely develop.

They had a clear plastic box and the DJ or one of the bridesmaids should handle that.

Good Luck!!

Answer 8

I've seen this before. Usually it depends on the formality of the wedding. For example, last Spring I went to 2 weddings. One was very formal and conservative- held in a Catholic church, no drinking, only Classical music, that kind of thing. The other (where I witnessed the "dollar dances") was very informal- held outside, with a live band and a bar. I think it's only tacky if it clashes too much with the other events and traditions of the wedding.

Answer 9

It's a good idea to make the event more intimate and to raise money for the new couple. I have seen it at a couple of different weddings--usually the less conservative variety. I participated and enjoyed it. It was an opportunity to give a little and to express my congratulations personally to the bride. There is no obligation to participate.

I guess the downside is that it's sort of a mild version of prostitution.

Answer 10

i personally think its tacky, BUT, it does give shy people an opportunity to go up to the bride to dance with her. plus, if there are more guests that the bride does not know, than the number of guests she does know, it will be an opportunity for her to meet the guests. she may want to have a little hand bag kind of thing on her wrist to put the dollars into. i dont know about wedding ettiquette, but i would suggest having the DJ or band leader announce which dances are the dollar dances so she isnt overwhelmed by having to dance w/so many people. good luck