XP Garter Toss Alternative

ashynich · December 2010

I'm posting this here because my FI doesn't want to do the Traditional garter toss. I was kind of disappointed, but then I read about some alternatives.
The one that really caught my eye is a alternative for the garter toss, and could alot replace the dollar dance(which i really do NOT want to do!). It's a garter raffle! Guests buy raffle tickets for $1 each at the reception, and towards the middle of the reception a raffle ticket is randomly picked out of a bucket by the bride & groom, and that person gets the garter! The bride and groom keep the proceeds.
Does this sound lame? Or like we are asking for money? I think it would be a fun alternative to two things we dont want to do(garter toss and dollar dance)
Would you guys ever do this?

SaraAndrew2010 · December 2010

We skipped the garter toss. I think a garter raffle sounds really tacky. As PP said, if it's not common in your area, I wouldn't do it.

[Deleted User] · December 2010

I answered you on the other board.

fallbride1109 · December 2010

Just skip it altogether. You don't need an alternative.

AllAboutTheBenjamin · December 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_xp-gart-toss-alternative?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:5Discussion:5cae0b6d-30bc-49fe-a463-dc43c85ba19bPost:f68a2528-3471-415d-a24b-e0601d63fdeb">Re: XP Garter Toss Alternative</a>:
[QUOTE]I answered you on the other board.
Posted by MissySue20[/QUOTE]

Me too!

Queen Jane · December 2010

If you don't want to do it, just don't. Simple. There's no rule that you must include them. Personally, I don't like the idea of the raffle especially if you've never seen it done.

kristinanddan · December 2010

I think the raffle sounds ten times worse than a garter toss, and I hate garter tosses. We just didn't do it or the bouquet toss, and no one missed them.

ehathewa · December 2010

Raffle = Asking for money = Not cool in my book

If you don't like the garter toss, just skip it. No one will care.

ashynich · December 2010

If we skip the garter toss/bouquet toss i think that everyone at the wedding will be dissapointed, which is why i'm trying to find a replacement. People will also be dissapointed if we skip the dollar dance

kristinanddan · December 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_xp-gart-toss-alternative?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:5Discussion:5cae0b6d-30bc-49fe-a463-dc43c85ba19bPost:cc2d51a8-8011-41f1-9b3b-df7bf3ef25c9">Re: XP Garter Toss Alternative</a>:
[QUOTE]If we skip the garter toss/bouquet toss i think that everyone at the wedding will be dissapointed, which is why i'm trying to find a replacement. <strong>People will also be dissapointed if we skip the dollar dance :/</strong>
Posted by ashynich[/QUOTE]

So you're thinking of doing a dollar dance AND raffling the garter? I'm sorry, it's a wedding, not a fundraiser.

ashynich · December 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_xp-gart-toss-alternative?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:5Discussion:5cae0b6d-30bc-49fe-a463-dc43c85ba19bPost:f69f1e6c-1142-4bfb-9213-ff573820c283">Re: XP Garter Toss Alternative</a>:
[QUOTE]I think a raffle sounds worse than a traditional dollar dance. If you really want to give away the garter (and I actually don't know many people who would want it), you can give it to the winners of the anniversary dance (i.e., the couple whose been married the longest).
Posted by GreenPepperBurger[/QUOTE]

<div>I like the idea of giving the garter & bouquet to the winners of the anniversary dance! We weren't planning on having one, but I like this idea much better than tossing.</div><div>
</div><div>I honestly know my friends will be disappointed if I dont do a bouquet toss. I've never been to a wedding that DIDNT have one.</div>

GreenPepperBurger · December 2010

You can have a bouquet toss if you know your guests will anticipate it, and give away the garter and another small token.

Milsey32 · December 2010

hahahah I love Kristin's response "It's a wedding, not a fundraiser" because I had never seen or heard of a dollar dance until I got engaged and even then I thought it was tacky... but now a garter raffle? that sounds reeeeeeally weird, no offense. And I'm not saying it sounds weird in YOUR position but if you don't know people who would be willing to buy the raffle tickets, then don't go for it. Personally, I don't know any of my guests that would go for it, I think it'd be embarrassing... sorry. just my opinion! BUT giving it away to the anniversary dance winners is totally legit. :-)

uneek1323 · December 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_xp-gart-toss-alternative?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:5Discussion:5cae0b6d-30bc-49fe-a463-dc43c85ba19bPost:cc2d51a8-8011-41f1-9b3b-df7bf3ef25c9">Re: XP Garter Toss Alternative</a>:
[QUOTE]If we skip the garter toss/bouquet toss i think that everyone at the wedding will be dissapointed, which is why i'm trying to find a replacement. People will also be dissapointed if we skip the dollar dance :/
Posted by ashynich[/QUOTE]
I honestly don't think people will be disappointed no matter which part of the country you live in.<div>
</div><div>You came on here asking if it was lame or if it seemed like you were asking for money. The answer is yes and yes. Skip it.</div>

Shannonyip · December 2010

You have ovibiously already read this from other people...but it depends on your age and what YOU want...Most people won't remember either way. I am 28 and the last time I TRIED to catch a bouquet I was about 18....it's usually the teenagers that get it anyways....I think giviing it to the couple that has been married the longest is the best idea...It works real well if you have grandparents or a close relative who can appreciate something like this. I am not sure who the garter would go to but thats up to you.
As for the money dance it is a tradition in many cultures but if it isn't a tradition in yours don't do it your guests will be annoyed that they have to feel bad and give you MORE money...although it is a great way to get money any of your friends who don't understand it may be offended.

These are just my thoughts....Good Luck

ashynich · December 2010

The dollar dance is VERY common in my area and I have never been to a wedding that didn't have one. My mom is pushing us to have one. But I think it just wastes time that could be spent having fun! I dont think the dollar dance is very fun.

Kate61487 · December 2010

I agree with PPs, if you've seen the garter raffle done in your area then I guess go ahead, but if not DO NOT do it. I had never seen/heard of a dollar dance until a couple years ago when I saw one at a wedding, and I know a lot of people think it's tacky. I personally just thought it was kind of stupid, but at least it gives you an opportunity to visit with the Bride or Groom. The garter raffle JUST feels tacky/greedy to me. The buyer of the ticket doesn't actually get anything for their money (as opposed to a dollar dance, where you get 2 minutes alone with the B/G) and I have a hard time imagining anyone purchasing a ticket.

I'd say if you don't want to do one of those things, don't do it. I know you think your guests will miss it, but I seriously doubt they'll even realize you didn't have it.

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