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Dollar Dance?

xxtreemchik2xxtreemchik2 member
10 Comments
in Pennsylvania-Central
My fiance, Eric, and I have been debating about having a dollar dance at the wedding but sadly we don't know how they are supposed to go. The worse part is no one seems to be able to help us out on it either :P so I call upon you Knotties for your help and expertise lol .. Do any of you know how we do one? or what the rules and regulations are? 
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Re: Dollar Dance?

  • mamie329mamie329 member
    Sixth Anniversary 100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Most dollar dances involve two lines forming - line to dance with groom and line to dance with bride. Usually the MOH and BM pour shots of liquor and collect the money. Each guest gets around a minute of dancing with either B&G. 

    But honestly -- if you aren't familiar with the dollar dance tradition, it would seem your families aren't either, so I'm not sure why you want to include it. We wouldn't have (the very basis of it is so money-grubbing and tacky), but it's SUCH a long-standing tradition in my "circle" that our guests would have started one w/o us.
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    Lucy Elizabeth 10.27.12
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  • xxtreemchik2xxtreemchik2 member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    honestly... I hadn't even thought about it. I had heard about it through one of my friends and thought that it seemed like a great idea but now that you mentioned it... there really isn't a reason to have one. Thank you for helping me come back to reality :P  
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  • alpinkeralpinker
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    The only reason we are having one is so that everyone who wants to dance with us gets a chance. That way I don't have to devote a whole song to my grandpa, or my uncle, ect. Everyone has a quick 30 second dance with either me or FI and then they are done with it. I just think it will give people a little more one on one time with us.
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  • BrassyClarinetBrassyClarinet
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    people always like to say "OH EHM GEE HOW TACKY AND GRABBY" when this subject comes up, but you need to realize like everything else it's relative.

    Sure, some people probably only do it for the money, and yeah, that sucks and is pretty tacky.  But some people (like FI and I) are doing it because we know that our guests are really looking forward to the special one-on-one time with  each the bride and groom . On such a busy day, it could be the only time for some of those guests to have their own moment with you.  For some people, that's more than worth the dollar. I've had already lots of people tell me they're looking forward specifically to it.  How can I not have it? :)

    It depends on your area and tastes, but I think motivation is the huge factor.
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  • xxtreemchik2xxtreemchik2 member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    You see we had originally thought that it would be nice to do the two lines on for the bride and one for the groom as an easy way for everyone to dance with us without our "dance card" filing all up and still forgetting someone. I just don't know how to work it into the schedule of the night; does it follow the parents dances before the regular dancing or as a break in the middle of the dancing? and how do you handle music, do you pull a musical chairs and stop the music every minute or so to allow everyone ample time? Everyone keeps saying that it is up to me but that is not helpful :P
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  • mamie329mamie329 member
    Sixth Anniversary 100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I'm just fearful that if your guests aren't familiar with the concept, THEY are going to see it as a money grab. Sure, it's great to have one -on-one time with your guests, but it doesn't have to involve money. 

    At any rate, the MOH and BM will coordinate the timing of the dance time by kind of pushing forward the first in line as a signal to the guest already dancing to step aside. The music will just play until the line is done. 
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    Lucy Elizabeth 10.27.12
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  • taraz579taraz579
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I've usually seen the dollar dance as sort of a 'break' in the faster music/dancing so guests can sort of relax & sit back down for a few.  Unfortunately, no such rest for husband & wife!!!

    I don't think I've ever seen a wedding withOUT a dollar dance, in this area.  As others have stated, one line for each bride & groom, with WP members collecting the $$ at head of each line, before the next guest can proceed to dancing with bride or groom.  Music keeps playing until the lines are all gone (which can get quite lengthy)

    I've never heard of the shots of liquor though, quite an interesting idea.  Maybe would help some to feel like it's not quite as tacky, as they're getting some liquor? (I know that may not sound the nicest either...but I'm sure some would feel that way)

    Anyways, do what's right for you two.  It's your wedding. Good luck :0)
    When we walk to the edge of all the light we have and take the step into the darkness of the unknown, we must believe that one of two things must happen: There will be something solid for us to stand on, or we will be taught to fly. -Patrick Overton
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  • jenn-shieldsjenn-shields
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    All the wedding receptions that I've been to that have had a "dollar dance" consists of men line up to dance with the bride and give a dollar, all ladies line up and dance with the groom and give a dollar as well. Sometimes at the end of a dance (which really is up to you of how long each person that dances with each of you) if the person is of legal drinking age they get a shot of some alcohol. Hope this helps.
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  • ashleybombshellashleybombshell member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I agree with taraz, I had never heard of the shot of liquor either, but have always seen a dollar dance. I'm on the fence because it is so common around here, but it seems kinda tacky (for some reason, the shot seems to make it worse for me... I don't know why).
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  • cherrytree34cherrytree34
    Third Anniversary 10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    We're doing a dollar dance without the dollar, because we think it's tacky to charge for it, too, but we still want to have the opportunity to dance with everyone.
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  • troxellatroxella member
    Fourth Anniversary 10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    We are doing a dollar dance without shots. I am a little uncomfortable with the money part myself, but when I think about it I never mind paying the dollar for the 30sec-1 min chance to talk with the bride or groom one on one on their special day!
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