Idea: Good or Bad: Silent Auction

I don't like the idea. It seems like a money grab. And it takes the focus off your wedding.

Why do you have to "involve" your guests. You invited them to your wedding, that's involvement enough, IMO.

The dollar dance is at least a cultural tradition, but my feeling is if your family hasn't done it at weddings for the last 100 years, you should skip it.

Not a fan of the honeymoon fund jar either. Asking guests for money at a wedding is a rude no matter which way you "mask" it.

Personally I think it would detract from the wedding celebration, but maybe that's just me

Don't like it. It's a wedding, not a fundraiser.

No. Unless you give people play money to use for this, no. If folks are interested in buying your pieces, do it completely separate from your wedding.

Why are you worried about involving your guests? Are you not having dancing? You can play some games like the shoe game or something that involves the guest but no money.

"We decided no on the dollar dance and the honeymoon fund jar by the beer, etc. because we just don't want to ask people for money since pretty much everyone has to travel and hour to get to our venue."

So how is having a silent auction, where you're still trying to win money from your guests, any different for your other rejected ideas?

If you really want to get guests involved, come up with some trivia game, like each table has a question pertaining to you & your FH, whomever answers right (at that table) wins a picture. Instead of silently but still bluntly asking for money...

I don't like the idea of it. It would take away from the whole reason they are there in the first place... your wedding!

Thank you for the advice! I was feeling the same way too, but wanted to get other peoples opinions before I kindly shut FH's idea down. He also hasn't really contributed any ideas with the planning process, so I didn't want to shut his opinion down right away due to the fact he might not suggest more. Thanks again! Yes we are having dancing and it should be lots of fun!

Like I said, if you want to keep the idea, use Monopoly money for funsies or play a game to win them (like they do for centerpieces.) That keeps his general idea, involves guests and takes the money out of it altogether.

If you want to do any one of these things and not take their money, consider doing the dollar dance/fund jar/silent auction and giving the money to a charity. It's a thoughtful way to include the guests and let them feel like their money is helping someone. Just be sure that your guests don't feel pressured to give, no one likes that. I hope this helps, good luck with your plans!

I like the idea of giving the pictures as prizes for fun, free games.

Your wedding is not a fundraiser for charity. I will donate to the charities that align with my values on my own time.

I just came up with that idea for my wedding today and im riding the fence too

View Quoted Comment I have been two two different weddings that had a silent auction and it was fun. It was available prior to the ceremony. Winners were announced after the dinner. I personally bid on a beautiful handmade dream catcher that was donated to the couple. It was fun talking with the other guests before getting seated as well. Great conversation start. The other couple had the auction and explained that the funds went towards their honeymoon. It was a major success. I didn't hear a single complaint during the wedding. We are having one at our wedding this october. Several of our guests have already donated several items, and others have already showed interest in bidding. If done tastefully, it can be fun for the guests as well.

Do not ask your guests to open their wallets. Your wedding is not a fundraiser

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There is no tasteful way to turn your wedding into a fundraiser.