Wedding Blog
I know that this is controversial, but we had a money dance. We were on the fence about it for a while but then everyone started asking us if we were going to do it. I don’t mean just my family where the money dance is tradition, I mean Mr. Joey’s family and our friends. When I realized that Mr. Joey’s family had done the money dance before, I was OK with us doing it because I knew we wouldn’t have to explain it to people.
I have to say, the money dance was actually one of the most fun things we did. I didn’t think Mr. Joey would enjoy it, but he did. And we were both surprised by the people who came forward to dance with us.
For some reason, the men really liked to dance with Mr. Joey and the women liked to dance with me. A little odd?
This is what your high school teachers did on the weekend
The weird thing about the money dance is that I thought we’d make maybe $100 during the dance. In reality, we made A LOT more than that. We used some of the money on our honeymoon and some on something really special I’ll tell you about later. And yes, someone pinned a Subway card on Mr. Joey.
Anyone else going to do the money dance?
All images by Jess Carmichael, editing by Mrs. Joey
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We’re doing one. It’s tradition in both families and on his side it’s followed by a special home brew sipping shot! I can’t wait. 
Although I thought people normally just gave 1s!
Okay, first of all, I love the guy that guy behind your shoulder in the last shot… that’s absolutely priceless.
And my FI really wants to do an apron dance, and I don’t particularly care either way, so I think we’ll wind up doing one.
I wish that the money dance was “culturally acceptable” for us…I really would have loved money
But it seems like some people have a background with it…so it’s normal and they can do it
Others…it’s just considered tacky. Sadly we come from the latter. I REALLY wish we could have done a money dance!
we did it! (and here, the money it’s attached on the veil!!)
it was really fun and surprisingly, and we got a pretty good money too!
I’m sick..that came our wrong.
Not saying you are tacky…..just that some people think it’s ok and others think it’s “bad” and I wish I came from a culture that thought it was ok. Could LOVE some free money!
i’ve never seen that before, but it looks so fun! and yes, that guy in the last shot made me laugh out loud just now.
@spraguebride: No worries. That’s why the whole thing is controversial. Some think it’s tacky and for some (like us) it tradition.
@Mrs. Perfume: I think it’s rooted in spanish traditions but I can’t be sure. And I tried to edit our friend out of that last picture, but it wasn’t happening.
@MexicanGirl: I think we usually attach it to the veil but I didn’t have a traditional one.
i’ve only been to a couple weddings that didn’t have the dollar dance so i thought it was common! not sure if we’ll do it though people are already asking and we’re not even engaged!
my family usually has one, but Mr. MB hates dancing, so I’m not sure.
I think that we’ll be having a money dance. My fiance is half filipino so it’s a tradition in his family; however, I don’t think anyone in my family has ever heard of such a thing. I’m really not sure how people will react… I didn’t want to have on at first, especially when FI said people like to put money in your mouth, eeewwww and so not happening, but after trying to find meaningful elements to include throughout the event I think the money dance snuck its way in.
We did a money dance and you are right– it’s so much fun! I wasn’t planning on doing it either, but one of my bridesmaid’s helped initiate it.
My introverted husband showed up the dance floor! He was doing wanna be moonwalks and everything. One of his groomsman pinned a 5 on his pants… haha, pretty personal.
Our guests definitely had a fun time and we got some great shots of our friends and family busting a move!
I read that it started as a Polish tradition (maybe because they scatter pennies/coins too? hmm.).
We’ve been to a wedding where the money dance was super fun like yours because people made “crowns” for the couple out of money, “bracelets” and a sash (ala beauty queen) for the bride.
But another one, where they had the MOH use the flower girls’ petals basket to hold the money, just seemed kinda odd and in fact, sad looking.
LOVE yours! And Subway gift card?! LOL
That Subway card is AWESOME, ha ha! Looks like it was a lot of fun.
@mrspaetz: I never knew that! but it makes sense, the Polish side of my Dad’s family always does it, the french side not so much…
Great photos! I’ve never been to a wedding where they had a dollar dance, but I’ve also never been to a Filipino or Spanish wedding. The whole idea of what’s “tacky” and what’s not is ridiculous when people are talking about traditions, many of which are cultural. Dance on, I say!
Re: the first picture — The Dude was at your wedding!
Anyone? Anyone?
Ah ha! It looks SO CUTE and like so much fun! You got some great pictures from it.
@Lina: He put on a bathrobe and carried a white Russian around last year for Halloween.
Haha, that’s awesome, Mrs. Joey!
I would totally be the one with no cash and only the subway card.
TOTALLY loving the Subway card!! I’ll have to remember that for the next wedding I go to.
LOL at the subway card! You may have mentioned this and she may be a close friend or family member…but how did you feel about the girl wearing a white dress?
Umm… cha-ching! My FMIL has been hounding me to do the money dance, but my mother is totally against it. Hmm… maybe these pics will get her on board! lol I might have even been convinced!
lol@ the subway card! Cute
@D.Marie: She wore a seersucker dress. It just looked white because of the editting.
I love that someone gave you a subway card. That is awesome!
I see…dont know what a seersucker dress is…but it not being white clears it up for me! LOL…not much of a dress girl here…could you tell! BTW GO PHILLIES! It was cool chatting with you on the boards tonight about the Phillies Mrs. Joey!
Looks like so much fun! I can’t believe all the twenties I’m seeing! Jackpot!
@D.Marie: You too. I wish I could have posted more but our internet was being sooo slow.
@Mrs. Mouse: I know! I thought I’d get just $1s and maybe a few $5s. I actually got two $100 bills. I wish I knew who pinned them on me!
We did the money dance! At first I had reservations because my husband’s side of the family have never seen it before and for my family, well, it’s tradition. I didn’t know what to do! I decided to go ahead and put it on our newsletter and introduce/explain it early on so people would know what to expect!
Come wedding time, my family’s side and even some of my husband’s side was SO prepared! We had money crowns, necklaces, and one guest even just handed me her purse! It made me crack up SO BAD!!
We made good money and we got two $100 bills pinned on too!! It was so much fun and I’m glad we did it!! My husband’s family REALLY loved it!!
That looks like so much fun! Both you and Mr. Joey as well as the guests look like they are having a great time!!
I don’t think I will be able to do it though since I am still working with my SO on doing the first dance… he is really shy.
I think we may have a dollar dance - it’s a polish/czech tradition too
Aha! The Dude abides!
Our DJ keeps telling us to do one, but we’re so afraid no one will have cash and we’ll look silly. :/ I”m torn.
Love it! Its tradition on our side but not on my FI’s… his mom gave me a funny look but seemed open to the idea. I told her that if we decide to do it I’ll give her the heads up so she has time to get the word out to her side of the family.
Hahah, I love the fact that Mr. Joey has a Subway gift card attached to him!!
Quick Question Mrs. Joey… The girl in the seersucker dress (which I love by the way, my wedding dress is white on white seersucker)… do you know where she got her necklace from? It looks like one I picked up in Tanzania and I’ve never seen one like it before so I’m not sure where its really from (but I get compliments on it all the time) Thanks!
I love the subway card - it seems that in my experience the girls like to dance with the bride and the guys with the groom - it’s kind of fun! And how great that you made out so well! I’m still throwing around if we’ll do a money dance or not - guess I’ll see if people ask me like they did you!
That Subway card is hi-lar-i-ous. Hilar.
Before Weddingbee I’d never heard of a money dance! This is so cute that I almost want to do it! I’m just a little wary because I’m not sure if people around here would ‘get it’ since it’s not common here.
I think it’s so funny that someone gave Mr. Joey a subway card. Seems like everyone had fun!
I’ll the weddings i’ve been to with a money dance, it’s always the groom’s friends that want to dance with him and the bride’s friends that want to dance with her. It’s funny!
I think its also an African tradition. My cousin did it at her wedding and her husband’s African family members kissed the money and then rubbed it on the head/mouth/face of the bride/groom for good luck.
That Subway card is too much.
I’d never even heard of the money dance until I started wedding planning, so I doubt we’ll do one. But it looks so fun! I wonder if there’s some kind of alternative “everyone takes turns dancing with the couple” thing… I don’t know.
@Gator: I dont’t know where it’s from but I wouldn’t be surprised if she just bought th beads and put the necklace together herself. She made the dress she’s wearing.
Most of the weddings I have been to in Minnesota have a money dance. Typically the MOH and Best Man collect the money - I’ve never seen it pinned on like that! We didn’t do one because our wedding was small and it is not part of the culture for Mr. PN’s family. I know it is a fun way to get to spend a little time with a lot of your guests!
I’ve always just seen the MOH & Best Man collect the cash, I’ve never seen the pin-it-on version though, and I think that would just add a whole new level of creativity to it.. never mind trying to figure out how to dance with people without poking them with a million pins.
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Mrs. Joey, Seattle
Age and Occupation: 28, Project Administrator for Public Health NGO
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 30, High School History Teacher
Engagement Date: June 24, 2008
Wedding Date: August 2009
Venue: Eastside Catholic Chapel and Lake Union Cafe
About Me: I'm a Seattle girl through and through except for the fact that I don't drink coffee. I love my job most of the time because I get to travel and work with brilliant people who are trying to prevent Malaria. I love DIY projects of all sorts, cooking, and watching sports. I'd wear anything at Anthropologie and could spend all day on Etsy. I love to travel but shouldn't because I always get myself into unbelievable situations!
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