Money Dance

@Martins, yep 3 money songs and a honeymoon fund jar. This was a 40,000 dollar wedding paid for by the brides parents so wasn't costing the couple anything and then they ask for money twice!

Hahahaha now that's kinda funny.

I've seen it done at African weddings, but I'm African American and will not be doing the money dance. My cousin did this at his wedding and it was crazy no one really knew what to do, and wasn't prepared for it.

@Ali- I would like $40,000. That sounds nice. I could put a nice down payment on a house,but I'm still not going to ask for it at my wedding!

Right? To me it made it extra tacky. It was one of the strangest weddings I have ever been to. The most opulent outdoor wedding I have ever seen but then the groom and his party where in jeans, black short sleeve shirts, and baseball hats. Meanwhile the brides dress was extremely formal. They likely spent more on the ceremony flowers than my entire flower budget. It just felt strange to have this grand wedding and then have a groom in a baseball hat, a money jar, and multiple songs worth of a money dance.

I truly respect people who work their butts off to pay for their wedding, host their guests, save for a house and a life and have to sacrifice a honeymoon. Especially when they are classy enough not to ask for money but then you have people who spent nothing on their wedding ask multiple ways for money. Some people I don't understand.

It's a pretty strong German tradition. FH and I talked about it because we both come from heavy German backgrounds but decided it wasn't right. We're just going to polka instead!

If it's not cultural it's tacky

If you want an up close and personal view of money dances, google "money dances" and click on images. That's when I realized how awful the ones, fives, tens, and twenties looked pinned to the couple or spread out all over the floor. I wouldn't go near it.

We have brides in this community who come from cultures that are very familiar with this practice.

Frankly, it wouldn't matter to me if the previous six generations had done it, I would never incorporate this practice at my own wedding. The fact that your DJ is selling this idea to you (instead of your family) tells me one thing -- you should just say NO. There is no culture/family history to argue here -- it's simply a DJ telling you to add something that, in this day, age, and culture, just needs to die a death. Your monetary gifts will be found in envelopes -- in a birdcage, a suitcase, or a card box. You don't need to put on any display that solicits a single dime -- let alone a dollar.

ETA: Natassia, bold move! Off topic -- I have to say, every time I see your avatar, I fall in love with hair color all over again. Stunning.

Thanks for being so receptive of all the comments, OP! The general consensus is that a dollar dance is tacky if it is not a part of your culture. I would personally feel very awkward doing one.

Nope very tacky and awkward

Oh god yes.

ETA: I had never heard of one until WW and I just it is sooooo creepy.

I'm half Slovak and it's traditional in our families to have a money or apron dance, especially for the weddings in the Pittsburgh area. This is where our family initially settled after arriving at Ellis Island and because everyone does it, it's expected there. Traditionally, the bride's have a polka band who play *very* lively music while the bride dances with everyone. After you dance, you got a shot of schnapps and a cigar. Originally the cash would have been used to pay for the wedding (ours was not a wealthy family, ever). Nowadays the cash is given to the newlyweds to use on their honeymoon.

I'm in DC so I'm going to skip. I think my grandpa would be disappointed though. I will say if everyone knows the tradition, it is the most fun part of the wedding but almost everyone needs to know about it to pull it off.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Money_dance

They are also boring. Several songs of everyone sitting around doing nothing. It can really kill the party mood.

Our DJ mentioned this to us but it's just not our style. Instead, we are doing the 'shoe game' and maybe a 'longevity dance' if we have time. Our reception is very short.

@bailey what's a longevity dance?

Super tacky. Don't do it.

However, I don't mind when it has strong cultural meanings to the couple and their families.

I hate it. It May be fun to some but as a guest I don't like it - it takes wayyyyy longer then they plan for it and you just sit there and watch.

My ex husband's family was Polish and his mom insisted that I wear her apron from their wedding and do the dollar dance. It was awkward as hell and that was with all the family members being cool with it since it was family tradition. Will not be doing it again.

I think they're tacky. My best friend did one at her wedding, it was cultural because of her now husband, so it was acceptable! She was super awkward the whole time, but the guests loved it because that's what they're used to!

Unless it is part of your cultural tradition, I feel it is a no go. Awkward and a bit on the tacky side.