A wedding is an expensive time. It is expensive for the bride and groom but also for those in attendance. The costs of providing dinner to each person and a full night of fun means that most guests are obliged to give a good gift or money to the happy couple. It can be an awkward idea to some. There are numerous ways to present the opportunity to give cash to the happy couple, but sometimes the simple ways are the best. Let’s look at some of the options from the wildest to the most basic.
The Dollar Dance
A dollar dance is an old fashioned tradition where guests pay to dance with the bride and pin money to the bride’s dress each time. The guests cut in and out in quick fashion leaving money behind every time. This can be a fun way to gather low sums of money from the guests that do add up. Ensure you have the groom, bridesmaid or best man on hand with a brush and pan to sweep up any money that falls off the dress. Having the groom do it is often a good opportunity to have some fun at his expense. At other times both the groom and bride take part in the money dance.
The Money Tree
The money tree is usually a wire tree near the door of the ballroom. When you place it out peg a few dollars to the try to indicate to others what they are supposed to do. This is a blatantly obvious, yet easy way to tell people, we want money.
The Auction
If you have a good DJ or MC you can choose to auction off a dance with the bride. Be careful of this option as although everyone is willing to pay a small sum you are now asking one person to pay a large some. This will usually be a close family member so perhaps only do this if it is prediscussed with the bride’s father.
The Dollar Race
Another fun game is for the DJ to announce that the happy could are entering marriage and are therefore broke. The DJ will ask both the bride and groom to run around the room to gather as much cash as they can. Whoever raises the least cash must do a forfeit. This can be a fun way to ask guests to reach into their pockets.
The Letterbox
The simplest and easiest way to ask for money is simply to leave a small letterbox that is secured on a table. It has an opening for cards that people can use to leave a simple thank you note or some money. This way avoids any unnecessary awkwardness and allows people to privately give whatever money they choose.
Presents not Presence
The best thing to do is not put pressure on your guests. It is well known that people are expected to cover their own costs at a wedding and most will give you a card with some money in some part of the wedding. On the invitation, simply write “we want your presence not your presents” to highlight the reason they are being invited.
Money is always a difficult thing to bring up and sometimes it is better not to. The word always spreads before and after a wedding. Everyone you have invited to the wedding knows someone you are close to. Ask your parents to subtly put the word out that you are not looking for gifts but that money is a huge help during this time. It is common for guests to ask someone close to the happy couple “what they need most” so a simple action like this can allow you to get what you require without the awkward dances or strange chases.
