As a bay area wedding dj with Quantum Music Event Planners, I have encountered lots of soon to be married couples debating whether or not to have a money dance at their wedding.
If you don't know what the "Money Dance" is, don't feel too bad, many don't. Basically, this is where guests dance with the bride or groom individually, bringing them money as a sign of support or token for the newlyweds or just helping to pay for the honeymoon. The dance gives each guest a chance to be one on one with the bride or groom, spend a moment and wish them well, before the next person (who is waiting in line to dance) cuts in because it is now their turn!
This dance is a long honored tradition in many cultures. In the Filipino culture, it's tradition to actually pin the money onto the bride's wedding dress or create a crown of money for the groom. However, many brides and even some grooms are concerned about the dance coming off wrong, making their guests feel a little bit uncomfortable or even that it may seem a bit tacky.
The other side of the argument is the money dance is also a great way to get participation, have interaction with your guests, of having lots of fun and lets face it…getting some financial reward. So how can you carry this off without any of the negative factors raising their ugly head?
It really does depend on the Wedding DJ you hire! The transition into the actual dance and the way your Wedding DJ conducts his or herself on the microphone both play a major role in how your guests will perceive what is happening. The DJ being “cheesy” or trying to be funny, actually making remarks like ”Bring Your Checks, Cash, or Credit Cards…” , is deemed very inappropriate and tasteless.
The Wedding DJ should simply make the announcement to inform your guests about the dance. Also, you don’t want to attempt the dance and not get a reaction, subsequently leaving you stranded and possibly embarrassed on the dance floor at your own wedding! So, I am here to give you a plan of action.
First, do not attempt a money dance after you serve dessert! Sometimes, older guests or guests with children may plan on leaving immediately after the cake. These are guests that will not be participating and therefore not giving any money! Also, if people are eating cake or enjoying their dessert, they are far less likely to get up and dance. We always perform the money dance early in the wedding reception. This does a few things. It will get your guests up out of their seats and moving. It also gets them used to being out on the dance floor.
Second, the Wedding DJ should always plan ahead. Communication is key! Having willing participants ahead of time is very important. The DJ should approach members of the bridal party to inform them of the dance and ask specific bridal party members, “the best man and maid of honor” if they wouldn’t mind getting things started. This way, by the time the DJ is finished announcing the dance and procedures to your guests, there is already someone out on the dance floor with you, giving your guests a visual and most importantly Not Leaving You Stranded and Embarrassed.
Third, the money dance should not take too long. Traditionally the dance can take up to 30 minutes! It can absolutely take over and ruin a beautiful wedding and become boring for most people not dancing. At QMEP, we like to play a few selections, not too fast and not too slow, and the DJ will make an announcement, ”If you haven’t had a chance to dance with our lovely couple, we will continue the Money Dance, however we will also open the dance floor for the Entire Wedding Party”. So now you’ve actually transitioned into open dancing. Your guests are used to being on the floor, if they are waiting to dance with you they will have fun dancing while they wait and it didn’t take over your wedding and become boring.
If you don't know what the "Money Dance" is, don't feel too bad, many don't. Basically, this is where guests dance with the bride or groom individually, bringing them money as a sign of support or token for the newlyweds or just helping to pay for the honeymoon. The dance gives each guest a chance to be one on one with the bride or groom, spend a moment and wish them well, before the next person (who is waiting in line to dance) cuts in because it is now their turn!
This dance is a long honored tradition in many cultures. In the Filipino culture, it's tradition to actually pin the money onto the bride's wedding dress or create a crown of money for the groom. However, many brides and even some grooms are concerned about the dance coming off wrong, making their guests feel a little bit uncomfortable or even that it may seem a bit tacky.
The other side of the argument is the money dance is also a great way to get participation, have interaction with your guests, of having lots of fun and lets face it…getting some financial reward. So how can you carry this off without any of the negative factors raising their ugly head?
It really does depend on the Wedding DJ you hire! The transition into the actual dance and the way your Wedding DJ conducts his or herself on the microphone both play a major role in how your guests will perceive what is happening. The DJ being “cheesy” or trying to be funny, actually making remarks like ”Bring Your Checks, Cash, or Credit Cards…” , is deemed very inappropriate and tasteless.
The Wedding DJ should simply make the announcement to inform your guests about the dance. Also, you don’t want to attempt the dance and not get a reaction, subsequently leaving you stranded and possibly embarrassed on the dance floor at your own wedding! So, I am here to give you a plan of action.
First, do not attempt a money dance after you serve dessert! Sometimes, older guests or guests with children may plan on leaving immediately after the cake. These are guests that will not be participating and therefore not giving any money! Also, if people are eating cake or enjoying their dessert, they are far less likely to get up and dance. We always perform the money dance early in the wedding reception. This does a few things. It will get your guests up out of their seats and moving. It also gets them used to being out on the dance floor.
Second, the Wedding DJ should always plan ahead. Communication is key! Having willing participants ahead of time is very important. The DJ should approach members of the bridal party to inform them of the dance and ask specific bridal party members, “the best man and maid of honor” if they wouldn’t mind getting things started. This way, by the time the DJ is finished announcing the dance and procedures to your guests, there is already someone out on the dance floor with you, giving your guests a visual and most importantly Not Leaving You Stranded and Embarrassed.
Third, the money dance should not take too long. Traditionally the dance can take up to 30 minutes! It can absolutely take over and ruin a beautiful wedding and become boring for most people not dancing. At QMEP, we like to play a few selections, not too fast and not too slow, and the DJ will make an announcement, ”If you haven’t had a chance to dance with our lovely couple, we will continue the Money Dance, however we will also open the dance floor for the Entire Wedding Party”. So now you’ve actually transitioned into open dancing. Your guests are used to being on the floor, if they are waiting to dance with you they will have fun dancing while they wait and it didn’t take over your wedding and become boring.
It's best to perform the money dance after your First Dance or even after any Parent Dances. This is a good way of holding back any other special dances, like the “Bridal Party” dance. You can use then use the "Bridal Party" dance as a transition into open dancing after the cake or dessert to keep the party going, almost like a second half or new start making for a great party flow!
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