Let's face it, folks. The "Money Dance" is alive and well, and it's a very popular custom at most wedding receptions all over the New Orleans area. In the nationwide wilderness outside of south Louisiana, it's frequently referred to as the "Dollar Dance," but, then again, when did we ever care what folks in other areas ever called something that we choose to call something else? After all, yankees call our beloved mudbugs "cray-fish!" But no matter what it's called, it means that guests who wish to dance with the Bride and Groom while a few particular songs are heard must pay for the privilege.
And pay, they do . . . which is why we present this article to you. We're aware of an Italian wedding where the newlyweds walked away with a clean $1,200. While you lick your chops after hearing this, be advi$ed that we are not trying to influence your decision on whether or not to have a Money Dance at your wedding reception. We'll just give you $ome background information on it to help you make another of your deci$ions.
Some couples hesitate because they feel like it isn't done very often. Get real!! We estimate that the Money Dance is done at well over half of all the wedding receptions around here, running the gamut from the ones held in the modest KC halls, through the large reception halls, and all the way to those in hotel and country-club ballrooms.
You say some of your guests might be offended? Who? Grumpy old Uncle Louie and tight-as-a-shrimp's-tail Aunt Bess, who is so cheap she flips the paperboy for double or nothing? Get with it . . . all of your guests have seen the Money Dance at so many wedding receptions that now it's just part of the landscape, like the popcorn machine in the lobby at the movies.
The custom was originated in America earlier this century by the European immigrants, who wanted to assure that the young couple had a few extra dollars to face the future with. It has endured in certain areas of the United States, while it is virtually non-existant in other parts ("Mah deah, we would nevah do that in Bahston." But, then again, most everyone around there is a rich Kennedy anyway).
Here in South Louisiana, some feel that our custom has its direct roots in both the Italian and Cajun heritages, two groups of people who appreciate a good time and love traditions.
You can even decide in which manner your fun-loving dancing partner can deposit his/her offering . . . in a purse carried by either you on your wrist or held by the hostess, or, as is done most often, they can pin their loot on the Bride's veil or the Groom's tuxedo. Pins are offered to guests by the hostess who stands on the edge of the dancing area by the waiting line.
The purse comes from Italian tradition, a variation of the "Communion Purse" that young girls years ago carried on their First Communion Day, and relatives and friends would put money in it as a gift on her special day. The fun-loving Cajuns brought out the pins instead.
In some places their "Dollar Dance" donation buys a complete dance. That's not good cash flow efficiency. After all, if you had a string of tightwads who only gave you one dollar each to dance to a whole song, you'd have corns on your feet before you collected enough to get into the LaPlace Snake Farm.
Around here, the hostess shuffles your dancing partners in and out every twenty seconds or so. You'll be pleasantly surprised at how quickly it builds up! You can expect to dance with 15-30 partners before it's over. The minimum donation is, of course, one dollar, although several larger denominations are routinely donated.
This is important - timing is vital if you plan to have a Money Dance at your reception. You want it to be part of the natural flow of your reception. The trick is not to have it too early (you don't want to appear TOO eager), or too late (many guests may have departed, either physically or mentally). The most natural time is right after the garter and bouquet have been tossed, and as the last "event" for the photographer. This point should be no later than one hour before the end of your reception. By that time the guests are usually "relaxed" and ready to participate in the Money Dance.
Some Brides have asked us how long the Money Dance should last.
ARE YOU KIDDING???
We've never seen a Bride stop dancing while she had a line of generous customers waiting, and announce loudly "OK, that's all. That's enough music. We have enough money now." Seriously, don't worry about how long it should last. The answer is obvious . . . until all of your, uh, "participant$" have been given a twirl. Your hostess will see how many people you have in line and she knows how to run the herd through quickly and efficiently. She will notify the band or DJ when it is the last Money Dance song, and it will come to a conclusion naturally.
Another question we have been asked by Brides is "what songs should we play for the Money Dance?" The Money Dance does not call for "message" songs, which are the songs whose lyrics reflect personal sentiments. For example, the formal dance for the Bride and Groom might be "Have I Told You Lately That I Love You," the dance with the parents might be "Daddy's Little Girl," and the Bridal Party dance might be done to "That's What Friends Are For," all three of which carry a message relevant to the person being danced with.
For the Money Dance, any slow music will do. Your dancing partners will not be listening to the words of the song anyway. They'll be too busy trying out all the same corny lines on you that your other partners thought were original ("Do you take VISA? Yuk Yuk").
So, dear newlyweds-to-be, it's your choice whether or not to include a Money Dance at your reception. But, as we mentioned, our experience indicates that it is now an accepted part of wedding receptions. After all, what's a dollar or two in fun on a once-in-a-lifetime occasion? And it's not like you're charging your guests ten dollars each to get out!
Another consideration is that the Money Dance gives you the opportunity
to dance with those guests that you would not have the time or availability
to dance with otherwise. Those who join the Money Dance are just happy to
be able to share a dance with you on your wedding day.
Hmmm . . . now, if it were us, we'd set a $10. minimum . . .