Wedding Traditions

ms15

Okay, so even though I may not have many single ladies up front for my boquet toss, it's a tradition that I like so I'm planning on doing it along with the garter toss.  As for the dollar dance, I'm getting a few questions from friends whether I'll be doing it.  I really don't care one way or the other.  If it was up to me, I'd say just scrap it, because my reception will only be 4 hours long anyway.  I asked FI if he wanted it and he said "sure, why not".  Don't really know if this means he really wants it or not, but either way, it's no biggie to me.

As for the new trend of the Anniversary Dance, I really like the idea of honoring all the married couples that will be at the wedding (especially my parents who have been married for almost 40 years).  My question is: Is the Anniversary Dance only used in place of the boquet/garter toss?  I don't see why I can't do them both.  Also, since I'm tossing my bouquet, what are some ideas for gifts to give the last couple dancing?  Just wondering...

Lasairiona

Yes the anniversary dance is in place of the bouquet/garter tosses. Like you said, your reception will only be 4 hrs, so if you have 2 1/2 hrs for dancing (and the rest is taken up by dinner) then you are including so much structure that your guests won't have time to dance to anything else. Pick one or two that are most important to you and skip the rest.

A dollar dance is considered rude by most people as it is a money grab and guests are not obligated to open their wallets for any reason.

SarahPLiz

Wait.. if there aren't any single ladies out there, who are you tossing the bouquet to? I don't understand!
The last wedding I was at, I was the ONLY unmarried person over age 12. It was SO embarrassing to be out there with the kids. I caught the bouquet because I'm taller than them, but it was not fun. I just did it because the bride wanted me to and she is a very good friend.
.

danyl87

Oh man SarahP...that would be embarassing!! Lol.  Way to be a trooper and do it anyway though! 

I agree that if it is a four hour reception that if you do too many "events" that it's going to take out the fun dance/party time for some people.  But you can do it however you want.

And you might want to watch the words "dollar" and "dance" in the same sentence...there are quite a few people who have very hatred feelings towards it on here. Lol. 

Good luck planning and have fun!

trix1223

ditto stage:  at DDs wedding in July, she didn't want to embarrass anyone, so she had all ladies on the floor for the toss and for good luck.  (I'm not sure if that was luck for DD and SIL or for the one who caught the bouquet.....)  Anyway, the floor was really full.

Anniversary dance can be nice, but again, it also highlights those who ARE not married by making them sit and watch.

I am one of those who thinks that dancing for money is in really poor taste, so of the three things, I'd skip the dollar dance.  Let your guests dance with you without making them pay for that "honor".

quotequeen

I don't see any reason you couldn't do the anniversary dance and the bouquet toss if you wanted.  You don't have to give them anything at the end, just acknowledge and congratulate them.  What is the chance that the couple that's been married the longest really wants your bouquet?

Lasairiona

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_wedding-traditions?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:5Discussion:31ca11ac-04eb-4643-91aa-23810c21b606Post:02ef12b2-d320-4fdc-8c78-b915ff5653a4">Re: Wedding Traditions</a>:
[QUOTE]I don't see any reason you couldn't do the anniversary dance and the bouquet toss if you wanted.  You don't have to give them anything at the end, just acknowledge and congratulate them.  What is the chance that the couple that's been married the longest really wants your bouquet?
Posted by quotequeen[/QUOTE]
The actual bouquet is rarely given away anymore since so many florists make toss bouquets. The OP said she has very few if any single ladies but she wants to have the toss anyway. If there's only a small handful of women standing up, it will be very awkward for them, especially if they don't want to participate at all, which many single women don't, because they don't like being on display for that purpose.