Dollar dance

michellesean

What are your thoughts on the dollar dance?  Tacky or no? My mom, aunts, uncles and cousins all had one at their weddings and think I should carry on the tradition. I just think that because all of FH's family is traveling from the east coast for our west coast wedding, they will already be spending money on airfare, hotel, and a gift if they want to bring one, so I feel that it might be tacky to essentially ask them for even more money even if it's a couple bucks.  FH agrees with me, but my fam is really gug-ho about the dance.  Thoughts?

JoanE2012

Tacky!  Guests spend enough on pre-wedding parties and the wedding itself.....don't ask them to open their wallet again!

littleluckypenny

If you don't want it, and your FI doesn't want it, it's a no-brainer.  Don't do it.  Also, if your family doesn't know about it, don't do it.  It would make for an awkward situation if only half your guests know what's going on, not to mention some people finding it rude and tacky.

michellesean

My whole family knows about it.  I'm not sure if FH's fam has done something similar at their weddings, I don't know if it's a west coast thing or not (my fam is from the west, his fam is from the east).  I think we might be skipping it though.  I agree that it's pretty tacky.

Thanks for spending a ton of moolah to come and celebrate our wedding day, now can you please give us more money

nafallon

I think it's more of an ethnic thing.  I thought it was a tacky idea too until our DJ said that many people look at it as their only chance to have a few minutes of one on one time with the bride or groom.  My daughter had planned to have one but her husband wasn't feeling well at the reception and they ended up skipping it.  She came up with the idea of having "Dollar Dance Coupons" on the tables that people could use instead of real dollars if they wanted to.  I thought that was a good compromise.

QueerFemme

I am in the "tacky" camp, but I am seriously losing this battle with my fiance, family and all of my friends.  It is very much tradition in our circle and I can honestly say, I have not been to a wedding since I was a kid that didn't have one. (I live in California, but lived east in Chicago and PA for 10 years, and they were common there also). 

I keep saying "it's tacky, it's tacky!" and everyone that I have spoken to says "you HAVE to have the money dance!  it's a tradition !!!!"     My fiance said jokingly, "Fine, you sit the money dance out and I'll do it. And I'm not sharing my dollars with you!". 

michellesean

Well, my mom said that the dollar dance gave them enough money to buy their first tv and get them plane tickes home from their hineymoon since they were having so much fun and didn't realize they had missed their flight!

arountree1

I don't think there is anything wrong with a money dance. Some people plan on giving you cash as your gift and will save it for that time. At least that's how I've always seen it done. I don't think it becomes "tacky" until it's 3 songs in and still going.

HobokensFury

It's tacky.  Unless it's common in your area or culture skip it.

AurorasEnvy

I think it's tacky and weird.

KoriMarie062213

they also dont have to dance with u if they dont want to pay a dollar! but my guess it if there gonna spend all the money to get there whats another dollar?!? the ones i have been to they can go up in a group and pay one dollar and all dance in a group, if u want it do! i know its something fun for everyone! i have known ppl to give 50 bucks to dance with the bride and groom for the dollar dance!

Getting2Vowels

I'm Polish and every wedding I've attended, Polish and non, has done the money dance. I do think it's a cultural tradition but keep in mind you don't have to do it. My parents keep asking me about it and I keep skirting around it. For one the majority of family and friends will be traveling out of state and I just think it's not necessary to do the dance for what....30 bucks??? I'm guessing. I also hate being the center of attention and would feel quite embarrassed if noone even cared to do it. On the other hand, like a pp had stated, its one of the times that guests have a chance to dance with the bride and share some words. In the end its your choice.

michellesean

Yeah that's the only reason I would want to do it, but FI and I are planning on going around to all of the tables and talking with everyone during the reception so it's not like we wont be able to see everyone.  I dunno, at this point I'm leaning towards skipping it.