Belly-dancer: opinions??

misspeach1084

My fiancee is half Armenian, and with his family, we've gone to a restauranta few times for get-togethers that features a belly-dancer. I was thinkng that it would be kind of fun to suprise his family with a belly-dancer at the wedding, and that it would a fun and different touch. Opinions??

pandasquishy

IMO, belly-dancers are not wedding appropriate.  

aerinpegadrak

I would run it by your family first.  It's a normal and appropriate part of an Armenian wedding (I've seen some gorgeous pictures of a belly-dancing bride), but might raise some eyebrows outside cultures where it's regularly done.  But I think if you give your side sme warning, you can still have it be a lovely surprise for his family.

janedoe1113a

I wouldn't do it at the reception, but it might be a cool idea for the cocktail hour.

mbcdefg

I think it's fine since it's a cultural thing.

gottahavashorti

I would skip it unless it's acceptable at weddings in his culture.  They may consider it to be fine for resaurants but not weddings or it may be okay for both.

megk8oz

I would first find out if it's a cultural norm to have them at weddings.

Just because they don't mind them at dinner, doesn't mean they'll be thrilled to see one a wedding.

gottahavashorti

If it turns out it's not the norm to have them at weddings, maybe you could have them at the rehearsal dinner.

CaptiolBride

maybe just ask his parents.... that way they can give the head up on if it's appropriate and keep it as a surprise for your husband to be. sounds like a fun idea. i'd totally love to do something different like that

misspeach1084

im suprised people found this to be inappropriate! figured it would be kinda cool ... its not like theyre go-go dancers or strippers, its a celebration-type thing. (and believe me... my family would find it cool, and NOTHING could offend his family. these people seriously drank beer outside in the parking lot during a wake at a funeral home once. ew!) lol

TwinCityBride

I had the same idea, my fiance is from Saudi Arabia.  I thought it would be cool to bring in some of his culture but I do have to admit my family might be a little taken back but half naked women dancing all over.  We have decided to have our Grooms dinner at a middle eastern restaurant that has belly dancers instead.  Also my favors are going to be small jeweled boxes with traditional Saudi bakery treats ... so theres way to include his heritage just in more subtle ways  

gottahavashorti

See if you can find the appropriate cultural wedding board and ask there, but my hesitance was because some cultures do have pretty extensive lists of what is OK at weddings and what is offensive.  But you are the one that knows your guests bests, so as long as it's not considered offensive and you think they'd enjoy it, then go for it.

mz.ladybug

I think it is adorable. Me and my bridesmaids are planning a dance for my to be and there significant others during the reception in full gear. As a tribute to the beauty and fun of what is to come. We are not planning anything that my teenage daughter could not get up there and do with us. Or grabbing family and friends from the crowd to participate in. So by all means enjoy. Especially if this is part of his heritage/culture.

ArmoWedding

Absolutely DO NOT have a belly dancer at an Armenian wedding.  Belly Dancing is not traditional Armenian Dance it is Arabic.  Armenians that live in Arabic countries might go along with this but it is not part of our culture.
Read up on online Armenian wedding traditions, we have a breaking of dishes and other great traditions. 
there is a wedding dance but it is partners and or line dancing but not Arabic.
Remember we were the first Christian nation in 301 AD.