Belly-dancing at Reception *vent*

You are right LadyMonk. I think it was more about her being 10

Haha success!!! Now hopefully Lara has some luck with her fam.

LadyMonk, LOL and thanks!

How about "our time line is pretty airtight and I really don't see a place that it fits. Also, not to be selfish, but I really would like the attention to be on us that day, not my cousin. I would love for her to fill one of the other roles I previously suggested though"

No. No half dressed 10 years old belly dancing. I love belly dancing adults. but no. just no.

Tell your mom you want your cousin to be honored not treated like entertainment. I like the idea of doing greeting at the ceremony or reception.

No, thats so wrong.

What Ladymonk and Valarie said.

Say it doesnt fit your vision of the day

I echo the no to the belly dancing 10 yr old. Could you ask her to be the guestbook attendant? She could stand by the table and urge people to sign it, and then at the reception she could take the book, or picture or whatever you have, table to table and ask " have you had a chance to sign the guestbook?" Then the guests will gush over how cute she is and pretty her dress is. Lol she will love it!

You don't know how much I needed the laughs I just got out of these comments. Thanks for the stress relief, ladies! Valarie, you are seriously hilarious... "Just one ten year old in the middle of the floor dancing"..,. that picture hahahaha Im crying again. Thank you!!!!

No no no NO NO NO!!!!! This is not a dance recital. I am not a fan of any wedding that "puts on a shoe". You have her in the wedding if you want her in the wedding.

Oh goodness. No....just no lol. I agree with the other people's possible responses (or the one you mentioned!). Anything to get the point across!

There's nothing wrong with bellydancing. Just a 10 year old at wedding that's not the bride/groom's traditional outtake is inappropriate.

I think I've now heard it all. Oh boy, I think the fact that she is 10 is the deal breaker. I would just say sorry mom belly dancing doesn't fit into the theme of our wedding. Ahh Good luck Lara

Lara, you said it -- EXTRAORDINARILY INAPPROPRIATE. Your wedding is not a gig for a limelight seeking child and her stage mother (that's the impression it gives). Tell her mother to take her to a talent agency if she's gifted. It's my firm opinion that no pre-pubescent child should be shimmying around doing a solo performance of this kind during your reception. It's such a bad idea in such bad taste. I'm serious, people will be offended by such a display. Enough said.

Noooo not at dinner...That's so awkward.. How about she can save the belly dancing for the dance floor when everybody will be dancing!

Omg it's your wedding, not a dance recital lol. I would tell her that you would be uncomfortable with that since she is so young. Then suggest to include her in some other way just to keep the peace.

Definitely not. It's your day to shine. It's not a day for the family talent show. A bunch of the other ladies have excellent suggestions for broaching this with your mom in a sensitive way.

@LadyMonk, THANK YOU! GrayCat, I like you...but belly dancing is definitely not something you see at a luau. A luau is traditionally a polynesian custom mostly seen in Hawaii. It usually has either hula or sometimes Tahitian dancers which is a very different style complete with different costumes, movements, and meaning/origin. I would expect Belly dancing to be something more in line with Indian cultures and as the OP said, Lebanese. So just please be a little careful about that next time, I don't expect everyone to know different art and dance forms but hopefully that educated you a little. If you want to know more about traditional hula, look up the Merrie Monarch Festival which just happened this past weekend to see some awesome hula dance clips!

Okay sorry for the tangent. Back to Lara. I would just say something like "It would be special to see her dance but there's so much going on with the wedding and she'd be dancing in front of a lot of people which could be nerve-wracking for her so I don't think it's the best time or place for her to dance. Maybe instead she can put together something to showcase at my shower?" I actually prepared a hula dance as a gift for my sister's shower and it was really special, and people all really enjoyed it. It definitely would not have fit at her wedding and I couldn't imagine doing something like that because it'd make me look like I want the spotlight. But a shower it shows the dance as more of a gift. I think that if you suggest maybe another time so your cousin feels included would be nice. Then like you said, suggest putting her in charge of programs at the wedding.

It also seems like it'd be strange and awkward watching a 10 year old do belly dancing by herself. An adult would be fitting if it was along with your theme, and a troupe would be even better. Sorry you have to deal with that!

I would just flat out say no. I do understand that this is big in some places and like others said if it was an Arabian Nights theme or something that fit, then great. But, I doubt it would go with your theme and just be strange.