Post # 1

Member
123 posts
Blushing bee
The giant mentioned doing a money dance at our reception. (Money dance info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Money_dance)
Another money donation offer is a money tree.
What do you think about this? Is it tacky? Rude? Fun?
Did you do this at your wedding? If so, how did your guests react?
Post # 3

Member
1842 posts
Buzzing bee
You will get all sorts of feedback on this. Basically it comes down to what is normally done in your “circle.”
I’ve never heard of a money tree and I despise the dollar dance (not so much because of the money grab, but moreso because as a guest, I find it immensely boring, sitting there through 5 songs as the line of guests with $1 bills waits for their turn with the bride/groom).
On other threads, I’ve read some people say their guests would be upset/lost without the dollar dance. To each their own – but personally, I see it in a negative light.
Post # 4

Member
3176 posts
Sugar bee
My aunt did a dollar dance at her wedding and I don’t remember thinking it was anything bad. I won’t do it because it will make ME feel uncomfortable but I know if I did my guests wouldn’t mind (at least on MY side). I wouldn’t judge but I also wouldn’t participate 🙂
Post # 5

Member
1041 posts
Bumble bee
We are doing a money dance (but not for the money), just because its a fun tradition.
@milesbella – 5 songs seems kind of long! The way my family does it is other guests can still be on the dancefloor dancing, so it doesnt stop the flow of the party.
Post # 6

Member
1664 posts
Bumble bee
Never heard of a money tree. I think a money dance is ok if it is part of your culture/circle of friends. If I went to a wedding with a money tree I’d think it was rude.
Post # 7

Member
2103 posts
Buzzing bee
I had to look up money tree….I don’t advise that.
I think it’s pretty common to have a money dance where I come from…so I wouldn’t blink if I saw it…but I know some regions it would be considered very gift grabby.
Post # 8

Member
3344 posts
Sugar bee
I dislike both options. Both are just asking for money, which is never polite. Guests have already taken time from their day to attend your function, bought a gift, and it leaves a bad taste in my mouth to then ask for even more money.
Seems like a shakedown.
Post # 9

Member
610 posts
Busy bee
In my opinion trying to get money donations at your wedding is kind of tacky. If they wanted to give you money they would have gifted it to you. An idea one of our friends did at his wedding was:
He made a jar and set it by the bar that said “Tips for the Bride & Groom”. It may be less tacky.
Post # 10

Member
10283 posts
Sugar Beekeeper
The dollar dance is one thing but a money tree? Not a fan. A lot of people find both options tacky and while I don’t necessarily disagree, I have seen a dollar dance done and it’s really not that bad. The money tree, on the other hand, is a blatant demand for money and I don’t think thats appropriate.
Also, I wouldn’t refer to either option as a “donation”. That generally puts a bad taste in peoples mouth.
Post # 11

Member
5109 posts
Bee Keeper
I have never seen a money tree.. But I have never been to a wedding without a money dance. I think a money tree would be weird just because its like “hey leave your money here” at least with the dance they are getting to spend one on one time with the bride or groom.
Post # 12

Member
123 posts
Blushing bee
Thank you for the responses.
It’s hard to say what’s done in “our circle” because only one other couple besides us has had a wedding. I think they did do a money dance, though.
I agree on the money tree aspect. It seems a bit tacky.
Now, how to incorporate the money dance idea into a reception with no dancing.. Hmm.. Maybe “money bocci ball”? haha I’ll think about that one.
Post # 13

Member
726 posts
Busy bee
@SeattleMolly: you mean to tell me you cant dance at your wedding but you want to have a money dance?? This sounds extreamly tacky to me. I cant even imagine, I think I would get up and leave. If you need money that bad I would cut back on somthing in the wedding.
Post # 14

Member
2441 posts
Buzzing bee
Is this in addition to the wishing well or wedding card box?
How about a bridal purse since there will be no dancing? Read about it at
http://blog.ourweddingday.com/Tradition-Bridal-Purse-8214477
Post # 15

Member
2088 posts
Buzzing bee
@Jenbee: Agreed.
If there’s no dancing at your reception, do not have a money dance. That is just blatently asking for money and rude.
Post # 16

Member
5109 posts
Bee Keeper
I think that if there is not dancing at the reception a money dance would be out of line. I would just do a card box and be done.