Ideas For Getting Money During Reception

Weddings are not fundraisers. Your reception is not a mode to collect extra money. A reception is a party to RECEIVE your guests (Receive/Reception- get it? They come from the same root).

You have an obligation to be a gracious host at your wedding recpetion, which means you cater to your guests` needs and don`t expect them to fund your every whim.

Do the money dance, each person pays a dollor or more to dance with the bride. My sister is going to start the dance with me and her to clue everyone in. Also you can do a money tree by the gift table place a 20 on the tree to get it started.

Do yourself and your guests a big favor by not letting on to them that you are looking for ways to get money during your reception. If the gifts you will already get, and many will already be money, are not enough, then you and your new husband should consider taking out a loan. How cheap of you to ask for ways to get money. Ick, ick, ick.

I am not the bride. Those ignorant ones out there that made the comments. I have been to many weddings where there is a dance or toss that money is given for the couple. I am trying to figure it out the right traditions so it can be suggested approriately.

The "appropriate" way is to not do anything.
Completly tasteless...even the $ tree or the dancing. I think it`s all extremely tacky and trashy.

Meg: I totally agree with you on that one. Definitely tacky. And to "me," YOU are the one who is the ignorant one, for you are the one who`s doing the asking.

I thought I`d read it all on this site - until now! Ideas for getting money during the reception? You have got to be kidding us!!!!!!!!!!

Oh wait, I`ve got an idea, go around the reception hall and be a pick-pocket; you`ll get a large amount of cash that way. Or perhaps you could charge them to come into the reception hall and then have the servers give everyone a bill for their food/beverage. Have bouncers at the door to be sure no one tries to stiff you! Have someone standing at the door of the bathroom to collect the `entrance fee` to use the toilet. Charge for parking, even if it`s free. Run a credit check on all of your guests and let them know what you consider an appropriate amount for a gift is (don`t let them screw you....of old Uncle Ralph has lots of cash in the bank, don`t let him get by without dishing out the money!)

If at the end of the night you don`t have enough money, steal everyone`s cash cards and go shopping - you deserve it, right? You are the bride and this is all about raking in the cash. Isn`t that what all gracious hosts are supposed to do?

All of you ignorant people really needs to find something better to do with you time that be bitter B**ches!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Me, there are no traditions for ways to get money at your reception. The only tradition as far as giving money is your guests giving it as a gift. Yes, there are dollar dances at some weddings, where it part of the ethnic background. But even then the bride and groom don`t plan it. If the guests want to give you a money dance they will initiate it. It`s not acceptable for you to solocit guests for money at the reception.

Thank you those that actaully had some good ideas and got what my question really was. Mika gave me the information that I was looking for. Thanks.

I have personally never been to a wedding that did not involve the money dance. I think the tradition of the dance can depend on where you live and your culture. I have never looked at this dance as begging for money. A bride and groom starting out can use all the help they can get and the few dollars people add to this dance do not break them. Not to mention people DO NOT have to participate and are never turned away if the do not contribute. The maid of honor usually holds a small bag and the best man has a tray of shots and you have to option to take a shot before the dance.

In my family the "dollar dance" is a tradition that is looked forward to and enjoyed. It isn`t looked at as the bride and groom begging for money.
Someone announces it and explains that it`s to help the new couple start their life together. You get to dance with either of them for a small donation, typically a dollar, but sometimes people give larger bills. The family enjoys this time. They use is as a chance to dance with the bride or groom and talk to them, wish them luck, give advice or just be sweet. Some use it as a time to be goofy and tease the new couple.
We do this as well as give gifts.
I noticed people mentioning the brides responsibility as a host to make sure people have a good time. In my family we don`t think that way. We see it as a celebration and just want the bride and groom to enjoy themselves, kiss for our amusement, and leave early for their honeymoon. Of course the new couple tries to talk to everyone, but we have a huge family. The dollar dance is a chance for everyone to get to dance with and have one on one time with the bride for at least a little while.

All of the wedding dances I have been to have had a dollar dance, if the guest wants to particpate they can and if they don`t they do not have to. And another thing that has become popular were I am from is to auction off the garter. And again if they want to participate they can and if not it is no big deal. The couple is greatfull for what ever they get and don`t expect anything.

I must add my 2 cents here.....Thank you Mika for posting that information, it was very informative. I want to point out, though to those of you who now know these traditions....that they are just that TRADITIONS. I`ve always said that if it is indeed a tradtion of your heritage or even just your family fine do it. But if you are on these boards asking "How does the money dance go" "who starts it " "how much can we make etc.....you have NO business doing it. And anyone who has been on these boards for any length of time, knows we see these requests all the time all the time.

Some of the people on here are very ignorant and obviously dont know how to read. She is only asking about the traditional value. Maybe if some of you would take the time to think a little an do some research you would know that the money dance has been around for centuries.
According to one custom, when arranged marriages were common, the groom collected a dowry only after his marriage was consummated. The money dance insured that thecouple would have some money before they left their wedding reception.
It is not a tacky tradition. Every wedding I have ever been to has had this. After the thousands of dollars couples, young and old, spend on weddings people dont mind giving a dollar to them. You are not asking for them to give you $50.00 bills.
Maybe the people on here that say that this is tacky should pull the sticks out of their butts. And if your friends and family are that uptight about giving you a dollar then they should probably pull the sticks out of their butts as well