Dollar Dance

What is the history of it...

HELP .. I wanna put it in the programs!

Hi Theresa, Is this what you are talking about????



The Dollar Dance, Yes or No?

With roots stemming from early 20th century America, the “Dollar Dance” has become a traditional part of wedding receptions throughout several regions of the country.

The “Dollar Dance,” “Money Dance,” “Honeymoon Dance,” or “Apron Dance” is an interesting traditions at many wedding receptions. In America, it originated at the turn of the twentieth century when European immigrants wanted to make sure the newlyweds had a little extra money to start their new future together. This probably stems from a Polish custom in which men and women would form two lines and pay a dollar to dance with the bride or groom. Nowadays, couples still follow the traditional “Dollar Dance,” formation and the money collected is often used as spending cash for the honeymoon. This centuries old Polish tradition has grown into a very prominent ritual that has also become a question of etiquette for many.

In some regions or cultures, a “Money Dance” may be considered tacky, improper, or down right greedy, but in others, many wedding guests look forward to the tradition, using it as a time to spend “personal time” with the bride and groom, giving them the opportunity to offer their congratulations and best wishes.

How do you know if a “Dollar Dance” would be appropriate at your wedding reception? Consider previous weddings you have attended. Was there a “Money Dance” at any of those? Or, have any of your family members had a “Dollar Dance?” If not, you may want to consider if the tradition is prevalent in your family. Both you and your fiancé ask your parents if there is a tradition of a “Money Dance” in either of the families. Use this information to find out if this would be considered an acceptable tradition at your reception- or you can start a tradition of your own, by using the history behind it to introduce the idea to your family.

To have the “Dollar Dance,” a couple can simply have a hostess keep a box of pins, place a sash across both you and your new husband, and have the band or DJ play an assortment of slow songs that you can dance to with your guests. The hostess can proceed to usher your guests through so that you may dance with them. At some weddings, instead of using sashes, brides hold little purses, from an Italian tradition, or even others follow the Polish tradition by wearing an apron, symbolizing her new role as a wife. Remember, only the guests who want to participate will be donating money, and if there is a history or tradition, it is a nice way to honor your heritage.

If you would like to follow the tradition, but not accept money, perhaps you could have a variation. Instead of having your guests offer money, have tem offer thoughts and wishes for you. Provide slips of paper and pens at each table, and then ask them to provide a slip of paper with a wish for you for the dance instead. After the dance, you can save the wishes and place them in a scrapbook, and memory box from you wedding, or you cold even collage them and have them framed for a beautiful keepsake of your wedding.

No matter what you choose for your wedding, whether it is to have a “Dollar Dance” or not, make sure that it makes you happy and fits your plans. Remember, this is a once in a lifetime occasion- so ENJOY IT!

The dollar dance is a time-honored tradition, so ingrained in thehallowed
halls of reception-dom, that many older guests will show up at your
reception with multiple dollar bills in their pocket (and no, it's not
because they know you're having a cash bar)! Placing the bride on oneside
of the dance floor and the groom on the other, the maid of honor andbest
man pin dollar bills from guests who wish to dance with the couple. This
little fundraiser has launched political campaigns as well as given many
brides and grooms a little extra cash for the upcoming weekend away.

I hear this tradition is still followed in the south but I have never experienced it here in NY.

JMO I dont think it would go over well.

I am Greek and in our weddings, people throw $$ at the bride and grrom as they dance all the time, except that the band got to keep it, not us
I think that if it is a true tradition, and your guests expect it, then do it. But I wouldn't introduce it for the first time as a 'tradition'.

I kinda think its tacky, unless guests expect it.

If we did it at our wedding, the response would not be good!!!

Ok, so if you want the girls to do something in order to get a chance to dance with Ron, how about having them perform a song, or read a poem, and in exchange they get to dance with Ron?

This is less tacky, b/c no $$$ are involved.

Consider the fact that guest PIN the money to your gown! That means, pin holes in your wedding gown.
I think the dollar dance, by itself is rude. BUT if it is part of your FAMILY tradition (not the hall's) then it belongs at your wedding, similar to jumping the broom, or cutting bread in Germany.
But I know people who have gotten married at Russo's and they didn't do the dance. It isn't an Italian tradition (as far as I am aware)

I have also been to weddings that they do the dance so everybody gets to dance with the bride and groom but $$ is not included.

I did not do it at my wedding.

I wasn't asking about it for the wedding...

and I never heard about it..

5 of my gf's are asking me via email to please have it its fun.....

I said I will ask about it and if I like it put it in the program..


WOAH!

I have a friemd who did the dollar dance. Her and her husband both come from polish backgrounds with family in the Pittsburgh area. Apparently, a big tradition in that area.

However, she knew that we would be unfamiliar with the tradition, and told us about it before hand. She wanted us to fill in the gaps of her/his relatives. She was afraid that no one else at the wedding would dance with them beyond their families.

I was game once she asked, but personally that was the only time I have seen it. And I don't plan on doing it. It is not a family tradition or part of my heritage and I would be afraid I would affend some people. JMO.