Wedding Ideas?

Question

Hey Guys,
Im going to be getting married soon. I was thinking of a few ways of how to earn money at the wedding like little mini games such as a raffle.. or pay a dollar to dance with the bride or groom... or the shoe game... Does anyone have any suggestions?

Answer 1

As long as you don't go overboard. I think a raffle would actually be fun for the guests and help you out. I'd say make it some kind of gambling thing but I'm not sure. The dollar dance is a little sad I would avoid that because dancing with the groom and bride is traditional. But a casinoish idea..or the raffle can be fun for the guests as well as convinient for you.

Whether it's right or wrong is another thing..I'm just answering what was asked.

Answer 2

You know an idea I heard of recently that is in much better taste is to do this at a shower or bachelor party. My friends just went to a bachelor party where the father of the bride rented a private club and set up a casino, gave them each $500 to gamble with. They were suppose to lose the money and that would go to the bride and groom.

I've also seen one where a friend who owned the bar, since he bought all the alcohol, he hosted the stag and doe party and all the profits on the drinks sold that night went to the bride and groom. People bought drinks in order to help them out. You threw in a dollar every time you wanted them to kiss.

I've seen hen parties with a $20 coverage fee and that $20 per person went to the honeymoon fund. Engagement parties where the auctioned off a dance with the bride that night or sitting beside her at dinner.

However most people in the United States consider it poor taste to do something like that at your actual wedding. It's suppose to be classy. You want more people to give you cash instead of gifts, don't make as long a registry. Then when the items are gone, they will just give cash as their gift. Save money by not serving as much alcohol and instead of favors, give away the centerpieces. You wouldn't have to buy additional favors and the people interested in the centerpiece could put their name in a hat and you draw out who gets the centerpieces.

Answer 3

I know it sounds good, but I don't recommend it. The guests have already given you a gift, and expecting them to do more is too much. If you need the money then size down the wedding and reception.

I was in a wedding that was quite elaborate (8 attendants), as a bridesmaid I was expected to pay for my dress (which was OK), and work at a taco sale so they could pay for the tux's of the groomsmen, then they had a softball tournament to pay for their cruise which they expected everyone to help at, and then at the dance they had the dollar dance and expected everyone to take a turn and pay and then a bunch of kegs and put a collection can out expecting everyone to pay to drink. Then the marriage only lasted 2 years, boy that was a waste of my time...not to mention how disgusted I was in their and their families expectations.

I am sorry, but I think it is very tacky!

Answer 4

The dollar dance is a lot of fun and also a money tree...I discourage the pass the shoe and raffles, you are turning the reception into a tacky fair or carnival doing things like that...auctions work really well too...I even did a wedding where the best man was the bride's SINGLE brother and they auctioned off dances with him!!! They made about $350 and he is still dating her last I heard

Answer 5

Okay, the dollar dance is a tradition that some people really love, and it's kind of cute. Overall, though, a wedding is NOT the time to try and earn money from guests who have already dressed up and brought you gifts. Stick to just one of these money-centered activities. Otherwise guests will feel like you're asking for more and more money when they've already given a gift.

Answer 6

I suggest you stop looking for ways to bleed your guests of money.

People are already giving you shower and wedding gifts. Luckily for greedy bridal couples, more and more people think shower gifts should be hugely extravagant and that if the pricetag on their wedding gift isn't high enough, they're being hideously rude. Then people come along and insist that it's important to hold pure fundraising events at the wedding as well?

No more. Stop the insanity. There is no polite way of making your guests pay for your wedding, or even a hefty percentage of it.

And if you tell me you can't afford your wedding if the guests don't pay up, I'll tell you the wedding costs too darn much. Besides, you're the one who decided to hold the wedding and how much you were going to pay for it. If your wedding costs have exceeded your ability to pay them, then it's up to you to scale back your plans.

A wedding is not a fundraiser. Don't treat it like one.

Answer 7

The purpose of a wedding IS NOT for you to earn money. Host the wedding you can as best you two can afford it - otherwise alter the style or cut down on the number of guests.

Answer 8

A co-worker of mine went to a wedding where they didn't have a dollar dance so to raise some money for the bride and groom, they had the dj have an 'auction' for who would get to eat first. One uncle was up to $285 and another said $300, then dj said, 'that's it....you pay them $300 and you pay them $285 and you both get to eat first" I don't know if I would ever do it, but thats a a lot of money pretty quick. I wouldn't expect that much money but it's an idea....congratulations and good luck!

Answer 9

That would be in really poor taste and against just about any wedding etiquett ever written or spoken of!

Answer 10

The dollar dance is popular, so is selling shots of liquor or jello shots. Best wishes!