Money Dance alternatives??

futureValD

I really don't want to do the money dance at my wedding (Oct. 3) because they always take way too long. However I've just recently heard of another option where groomsmen and bridesmaids go around to tables and take bids from people to win a dance with the bride and groom. Has anyone heard of or done the "bidding dance" or does anyone have any other options for a money dance that doesn't take up half of the reception? Any ideas? Thanks!

second time around

You don't have to have a money dance at all. Most people are skipping it. Some think it is tacky. My DH wouldn't allow us to have one because his family would have been deeply offended to be asked for money to dance with us. Don't feel obligated to have one if you don't want to.

jordylee8455

In general, I think that money dances are tacky. I can't imagine asking guests for money to dance with me, especially after they likely spent $$ on a gift. If you're looking for an alternative, I heard of a knottie awhile back that did the "two cents dance". They gave out fake money and asked the guests to put in their "two cents," as in, advice for them for a good marriage. They got some funny replies, and it was a good way to dance with all of the guests without asking for money.

Alko726

I think it's sort of tacky as well, and I agree with the pp that said that I don't want to have guests pay to dance with me or FI, especially after they were gracious enough to bring a gift. Sure, it's not a lot of money for the guest to have to pay, but what's the point? If a guest wants to dance with me, they can just ask and I'd gladly accept. I do, however, think that if it's a tradition in your family to do this, and you don't like it, doing the fake money or little pieces of paper for a guest to put words of advice or well-wishes is a great alternative. I guess that doesn't exactly help you and your timing issue though now that I'm thinking about it. I've never heard of the bidding dance, and I think that'd make someone have to pay even more money to dance with you. Why not just skip it altogether? Or "win" a dance with the best piece of advice or joke as voted on by you and your DH?

OSU2010

I've never heard of the bidding dance, but I can't imagine actually doing it, only because I feel like it would be an awkward moment to walk up to each table yourselves and be asking for money (directly or indirectly), then repeated by twenty or more tables would make for extended awkwardness. And honestly, if you're taking the time to go table to table anyway, you might as well just use that time to talk to people and skip a dollar dance scenario altogether. Good Luck! :-)

sarajkaminski

At my brother's wedding this summer, the DJ had the bridal party do a "Dollar Dash." The bridesmaids were competing against the groomsmen as to who could get the most money from the guests. We all ran around grabbing bills out of the guests' hands, and it was actually really fun. Plus, they made an extra $300+ doing that. I think this is a fun alternative to the dollar dance.

green795

We are skipping the dollar dance, or any dance that asks for money period. The only weddings I have seen it done have been "American" weddings. I'm Italian, so it's tradition for the guests to give the registry gifts at the bridal shower then give money as gifts at the reception. So for us to ask for more money is ridiculous, especially when most of the guests have given enough to pay for what we spent on them.

green795

Oh yea, and we have people coming from all around the world to be with us on our wedding day (about 1/3 of our guests), so asking more money from them after what they already spent traveling would be stupid.

StephyJeffy

I agree with the above - I'm not a fan of the dollar dance, but on the other hand, it does get people up and gives them an excuse to dance (even those that normally wouldn't), so the bidding dance seems counter productive. I guess I don't see a long dollar dance being a negative thing, if it means people get their moment with the bride/groom. I like the "2 cents" dance idea, though - we actually toyed with that for our wedding.

TheBeckmeister

The only dollar dances I've seen have been 2-3 medium-length songs (and those were for weddings with like 200+ people), so that everyone who wants a chance to dance with you can, but it doesn't go on FOREVER.

katphrodite

I have never had a problem giving an extra buck to dance with the bride and groom. I think it's fun, actually! Plus it gives you an extra few seconds to chat with them when they're trying to see everyone who came for them, you know? I went to one wedding where the bride's new grandfather in law donated a $100 bill just to have a few seconds to dance with his new granddaughter-in-law. It was too cute! And he had of course given the newlyweds a gift as well. So I think for a wedding most people don't exactly mind donating a buck for a dance with someone they care about enough to witness their nuptials.