Successful Money Dance Suggestions

I understand you aren't *trying* to be money grubbing, but a money dance is money grubbing. You are literally asking people to pay to dance with you.
I'd never actually even heard of a money dance until WW and would be very put off if I saw one at the wedding.

Just skip it.

I would skip it - it looks gift/money grabby and if one side is not use to the tradition it is just inviting people to talk.

I would make sure you take time during the reception to visit each table. That way you get to talk to as many people as possible.

Exactly this ^^^

I would focus your energies on making sure that you find a way to visit with every guest during your reception. This is a must. It doesn't have to be long, but you do have to thank them for coming. Even if you do some sort of dollar dance variant where there is no money involved, people may not want to participate. If you know people will want to dance with you, simply be on the dance floor for a lot of the evening, problem solved.

Money dance = asking for money. if you don't want to ask for money, it's just dancing, which people will be doing anyway. just make the effort to do table visits.

I personally, don't think guests should open their wallet at all during your wedding and as someone who is not familiar with this practice (I've only read about it here) I'd be turned off. I don't think it is worth potentially offending or alienating half of your guests. I'm not sure of the etiquette but, a good compromise if the money dance is important to your culture would be to get some paper money (like Monopoly money) and distribute this to your guests prior to the dance. This way you still get the fun and the excitement of the dance but, won't be viewed as money grubby since there is no real cost to the guests.

If you don't have time to meet with everyone individually and briefly thank them for joining your day then you've invited too many people. Most people do table visits, instead of a receiving line, between dinner courses. Perhaps this is a good option for you.

You really can't do a money dance without sounding money grubbing/begging. Like other posters said, you need to make the time to visit with each table to thank them for coming. Look, I am one of the older posters here (early 50's) and have been attending weddings since the early 70's.

You wanna visit with everyone? Make time to visit every table OR have a receiving line with just you, groom and no attendants. You may not get the chance to dance with every guest and a lot of guests will be play with that. They won't be okay with you taking the time to do a money dance but not taking the time to thank them w/out asking for money.

Money dances happen at all the weddings I go to in my area and I've never thought of it as money grubbing.

I've seen a few times where they offer jello or pudding shots to anyone who does the dollar dance.

If the only way that people will dance with you is to pay for it, that's sad. If you really want to dance with Uncle Joe, ask him, don't make him pay for it. The same goes with all the other relatives you want to dance with. You'll be amazed at how asking works.

You could also just set aside some time for people to come up and dance with you. This could work during dinner if you guys take 15-20 minutes to eat first, then guests can come up as they please to have a couple of minutes with you, then go back to eating. No pressure to give any money.

In a true snowball, after someone cuts in, the now non-dancing partner goes to find someone else to dance with, getting folks on the floor faster."

Personally, I find money dances really uncomfortable -- and, in our circle "tacky," but that word seems to be a flash point on WW.... So I'm not trying to offend anyone, just letting you know how some of your guests might respond.

If your real concern is that your family might not dance otherwise, maybe consider an anniversary dance -- especially if a lot of your family are married. The DJ invites all married couples to the dance floor, then starts eliminating couples based on how long they've been married. Less than a day? Bride & Groom sit down first. Less than a year.... Less than five years..., etc., until only the longest married couple is still on the floor. The bride and groom then can congratulate the longest married couple; I've seen the bride give the "winner" a bouquet (like the one usually used for tossing). Take pictures of the two couples together. Sometimes the winning couple is asked to briefly share the secret of their "success" at a long, happy marriage. The good news is it gets all the married (and sometimes "older" couples dancing) and recognizes and celebrates long marriages. It's positive & no money involved. (However, it might be awkward if there are messy divorces among the VIP wedding guests and/or recent deaths resulting in widowhood for a key player....)

Daughter is planning one for her wedding. God willing, her great aunt and uncle, who have been married 60+ years will be there and be the winners!

Yes, this is the suggestion OP should be following. It'll get people up and involved, with no money dance. Wonderful advice!

Don't sell yourself as a dance partner for money--gack! Also don't bring attention to who has been married how long: This can be so painful for the widowed, the single, and for gay couples for whom it was illegal until recently to be married. Just have dancing without gimmicks.

All you need to get people dancing is alcohol and a great band or DJ. You don't need to ask people for money to fill the dance floor.