Alternative to Dollar Dance

Wow, I really read that post wrong when I posted. I thought it said that you want a dollar dance, and your MIL and FMIL wanted you to do one.

When my son got married they had a "dollar dance". His FMIL insisted. I had never heard of it and was not really that happy about it. Now that I am getting married I have not even thought about having a dollar dance. I think maybe one of the reasons is that I am old and do not really need a "start my life kind" of things. So I guess if you are young that might be a helpful start to your future, but I think a honeymoon is something personal and that the couple should pay for themselves. IMHO

Here in nebraska..I'm not sure if it's only done here but they auction off the garter and the winner gets to take it off the bride lol

Don't delete it.

There's nothing wrong with the dollar dance if it's a cultural thing where you live. And people can get super insistent about it, like your FMIL. It's like they think it's rude NOT to do it, like you're saying you're too good for it or something. But don't feel like you have to if you don't want to.

I think what people were really reacting to was asking for ideas to earn extra cash for your trip at your wedding. That's the only no-no.

My first wedding had a dollar dance - it was 15 years ago and pretty much the norm in our area. (Delaware)

I'm NOT doing a dollar dance - something weird with pinning $$ on a 41 year old bride -- plus those dances are just not done anymore from what I have seen.

I'm from DE too, and we did a dollar dance. However, we had bags that the MOH and BM carried to collect the money so no one felt bad for giving more or less than someone else. For us, it's more of a way to give people an opportunity to talk to each of us - no one is expected to give if they just want to say hello. I even had people circling back around in line to continue the conversation, or dancing with me, then dancing with my hubby so they could congratulate both of us. It was actually really nice and really fun.

Perhaps you could give it a different name so that no one feels the need to give money, but they can if they want? I agree that since this is a cultural/regional thing it would be ok for a wedding, but anything else may likely come across as tacky/greedy.

This sparked a ton of memories! I am 100% Sicilian and EVERY single wedding I went to in the past had them. I was previously married and many years ago I remember having a dance where everyone lined up to dance with us. We also carried a bag to hold cards and money. It is very common for grandfathers, uncles, cousins (usually men) to fill your bag with money.

I wasn't for the dance but I tell you what - it was a blast. It did give me a chance to dance with so many people. I don't think they announced it as a money dance - just to line up and dance with the bride and groom and people gave money. Less tacky maybe since you aren't asking for money?

Anyways - my 2nd go around, I am doing a smaller wedding and not inviting the droves of Italian family that I have. It won't be as ethnic persay as before and so there probably won't be any of those old traditions.

Just brought back memories - my $.02