Center Piece Giveaway, make one person at each table take out a dollar, play Hawaii five - 0 and tell the people to pass the dollar around the table. Then stop the music and say, congratulations, who ever is holding the dollar is the proud winner of nothing. The play music again pass dollar around then stop music, say congratulations, you are now looking at the person who is $1 richer and gets to buy everyone at his/her table drinks tonight, the person who donated the dollar gets the center piece.
Wedding Traditions, Activities, Dances
- Thread starter Steve LeBlanc
- Start date
we used that same sort of game when I worked in Vegas in 2002. Only twist is we also made the final person hand it to there left and that was the tables Party Captain and told them they had to do whatever it takes to insure everyone at their table is having a good time. I dont certify any of these games I was working for a multi and had to follow the schedule.
I've seen a smilar game played with napkins. It sounds like a fun idea.
I had a wedding coordinator tell me that these games are disgusting & should NOT be played at a table where food will be served (passing around a dirty dollar bill or handling other's napkins)
We were going to do this & she told us "not at this event!"
What do you think?
K
Kirby Ball
Guest
You folks are gonna think this is totally nuts, completely lazy, unimaginative, and a rip-off. In defense of this concept, I think the Dollar Dance is all of that so, to me, it feels even.
First, I build a vocal .mp3 loop of six command changes with 30 seconds of dead air between each command. For example, "Your best wishes to the Bride and Groom, change partners now please", then something like, "A warm hug to the Bride & Groom, change partners please." and so forth.
This vocal loop goes on the software player A with the "repeat" command set to on.
Then I built a 45 minute premixed set of nice slow tunes that are familiar yet not reception favorites, ever requested, nor played often. That mix goes on software player B.
Once the time comes for the Dollar Dance, and in order to give the appearance that I'm not the one doing this on my own and that the Bride & Groom aren't the greedy ones, it is announced "At the request of the bridal party, we're having a Dollar Dance from Mark & Judy". Yep, the Bridal Party gets thrown under the bus for this ditty.
As others have already mentioned, the Best Man and The Maid/Matron of Honor are positioned at opposite ends of the dance floor. All the men are asked to line up with the Maid/Matron of Honor, all the women with the Best Man. Gives them both some flirting time while working.
Player B premix slow set begins with the Bride & Groom dancing together alone until the line gets three or more persons deep. Now I know it's working properly and will proceed nicely.
I then ask for the first persons in line to join the Bride & Groom on the floor. Wait 30 seconds, then get the next persons in line to come out (as the Best Man & Maid/Matron of Honor collect the dough). When the second change works perfectly, I start the vocal loop on Player A. Every 30 seconds, a partner change is called for on the vocal loop and repeat forever until manually halted.
If there are 200 people at the event, generally that means 100 men, 100 women. Most often, about 60% will participate in the Dollar Dance meaning 60 men and 60 women. With the predefined 30 second changes giving me control of the clock, I can confidently estimate a 30 minute dollar dance.
Now, with the automatic slow song premix going on Player B, the automatic vocal loop on Player A, I can go out to the parking lot and do an oil change on my Durango (or hit on the Grandmothers).
First, I build a vocal .mp3 loop of six command changes with 30 seconds of dead air between each command. For example, "Your best wishes to the Bride and Groom, change partners now please", then something like, "A warm hug to the Bride & Groom, change partners please." and so forth.
This vocal loop goes on the software player A with the "repeat" command set to on.
Then I built a 45 minute premixed set of nice slow tunes that are familiar yet not reception favorites, ever requested, nor played often. That mix goes on software player B.
Once the time comes for the Dollar Dance, and in order to give the appearance that I'm not the one doing this on my own and that the Bride & Groom aren't the greedy ones, it is announced "At the request of the bridal party, we're having a Dollar Dance from Mark & Judy". Yep, the Bridal Party gets thrown under the bus for this ditty.
As others have already mentioned, the Best Man and The Maid/Matron of Honor are positioned at opposite ends of the dance floor. All the men are asked to line up with the Maid/Matron of Honor, all the women with the Best Man. Gives them both some flirting time while working.
Player B premix slow set begins with the Bride & Groom dancing together alone until the line gets three or more persons deep. Now I know it's working properly and will proceed nicely.
I then ask for the first persons in line to join the Bride & Groom on the floor. Wait 30 seconds, then get the next persons in line to come out (as the Best Man & Maid/Matron of Honor collect the dough). When the second change works perfectly, I start the vocal loop on Player A. Every 30 seconds, a partner change is called for on the vocal loop and repeat forever until manually halted.
If there are 200 people at the event, generally that means 100 men, 100 women. Most often, about 60% will participate in the Dollar Dance meaning 60 men and 60 women. With the predefined 30 second changes giving me control of the clock, I can confidently estimate a 30 minute dollar dance.
Now, with the automatic slow song premix going on Player B, the automatic vocal loop on Player A, I can go out to the parking lot and do an oil change on my Durango (or hit on the Grandmothers).
G
Guest
Guest
Cap thanks for sharing. Though here in BC we dont do many dollar dances its considered almost rude . However for those here who do them alot what an awesome way to keep it short as possible.
The garter auction is something Ive started doing just recently. Ive done it two ways. At most weddings in my area alot of people are expecting a dollar dance. If this is the case and the B/G dont want one I will auction the garter this way: I tell the crowd that we are auctioning off the garter and it works like this. Because I am not a fast talker, I just like to talk alot we are going to have everyone hold up their money. The groomsmen will then go around and collect the money from them, with the best man keeping a running total. When the total gets to an amount that I have pre selected the last person whos contribution pushes the total over the amount wins the garter.
I also do a normal auction of the garter. This works well if you are still going to have a dollar dance. An example of this is at a wedding I did back in June. I did the regular garter auction and the gentleman that won it was the dads boss. He was the pres. of a ?pharmacutical? (dont look right but you get the idea) company he paid $500 for the garter and got to wear it on his arm the rest of the night. After the reception the brides mom told me she loved it and exactly the person who needed to win it did. This way you can still have a dollar dance and it doesnt hit everyone twice.
Another thing that I like to do instead of playing music for the cake cutting is relate a litte wedding cake and wedding history to the attendees. Things like why there are teirs on a wedding cake, the world record wedding cake height and weight and where some of the traditions we practice come from.
Anyway just a couple of things that I like to do. Feel free to use them if you like them!
Mike Kershner~m-pulse mobile dj service
I also do a normal auction of the garter. This works well if you are still going to have a dollar dance. An example of this is at a wedding I did back in June. I did the regular garter auction and the gentleman that won it was the dads boss. He was the pres. of a ?pharmacutical? (dont look right but you get the idea) company he paid $500 for the garter and got to wear it on his arm the rest of the night. After the reception the brides mom told me she loved it and exactly the person who needed to win it did. This way you can still have a dollar dance and it doesnt hit everyone twice.
Another thing that I like to do instead of playing music for the cake cutting is relate a litte wedding cake and wedding history to the attendees. Things like why there are teirs on a wedding cake, the world record wedding cake height and weight and where some of the traditions we practice come from.
Anyway just a couple of things that I like to do. Feel free to use them if you like them!
Mike Kershner~m-pulse mobile dj service
Thanks for the idea. I had a client that wanted to give away centerpieces some way different this past weekend and I used your idea it workd great. Thanks for sharing.
A variation on the Anniversary dance that some of my couples have decided on that don't want to do the traditional garter and bouquet tosses:
At the end with the longest married couple standing in the middle of the dance floor, have the B&G present that couple with the bouquet. At that point, I have the B&G ask that couple for some words of wisdom to staying married for so long.
It's worked rather well for me.
At the end with the longest married couple standing in the middle of the dance floor, have the B&G present that couple with the bouquet. At that point, I have the B&G ask that couple for some words of wisdom to staying married for so long.
It's worked rather well for me.
Nice one Sparkie I usually as my Couple to go join the elder couple in the center of the floor and get close so some of those years might rub off. The Bouquet is a nice gesture.
sparkieg : Here in this region, it's called the Specialty Dance and it is specifically used as a complete substitute for any garter & bouquet tossing, placing, removing and such. I think the universally accepted name for it is the Anniversary Dance as you've stated.
Another variation to it. I insist on BOTH a bouquet and a garter. Both longest married persons should get a "prize". It does mean I have a half dozen medium quality garters with me at all times because they are often left at home or they don't want to give up the original.
Once the last standing (longest married) couple is left, a quick face to face interview is done with the couple (names, how long married, etc) then it's stated that, "In honor of you two being the longest married couple tonight, Mike & Cindy would be pleased to present you with the garter and bouquet." Mike & Cindy walk out, she hands the woman the bouquet, Mike hands the man the garter, audience responds.
If this couple seems right for it, after the shooter gets pictures of the four of them together, set it up however it fits your style, and ask the the longest married couple to demonstrate how Mike & Cindy should kiss when the lights go on tonight, the wedding night. It can sometimes be pee-in-your-pants funny. Then have Mike & Cindy demonstrate how they think they'll kiss when they've been married as long as the winning couple has. That can be quite interesting too as well as providing the shooters with excellent unusual additional material.
Another variation to it. I insist on BOTH a bouquet and a garter. Both longest married persons should get a "prize". It does mean I have a half dozen medium quality garters with me at all times because they are often left at home or they don't want to give up the original.
Once the last standing (longest married) couple is left, a quick face to face interview is done with the couple (names, how long married, etc) then it's stated that, "In honor of you two being the longest married couple tonight, Mike & Cindy would be pleased to present you with the garter and bouquet." Mike & Cindy walk out, she hands the woman the bouquet, Mike hands the man the garter, audience responds.
If this couple seems right for it, after the shooter gets pictures of the four of them together, set it up however it fits your style, and ask the the longest married couple to demonstrate how Mike & Cindy should kiss when the lights go on tonight, the wedding night. It can sometimes be pee-in-your-pants funny. Then have Mike & Cindy demonstrate how they think they'll kiss when they've been married as long as the winning couple has. That can be quite interesting too as well as providing the shooters with excellent unusual additional material.
The dollar or honeymoon dance doesn't seem to be a hit here in DE for some reason. When I lived in VA, it was a part of every wedding reception.
We'd get both the bride and the groom out there... and play some extended mixes. It was funny at times... I'd start with "Well, they're on the way to McDonald's" or "We're up to TGI Friday's" etc.
We'd get both the bride and the groom out there... and play some extended mixes. It was funny at times... I'd start with "Well, they're on the way to McDonald's" or "We're up to TGI Friday's" etc.
My Anniversary Dance is used at almost each of my events and yet very few DJs here seem to use it. My clients adore the idea and do not use it in place of the bouquet and Garter therefore giving them away and saying later hey might we borrow them back for a moment would be a bit awkward. Here in BC we dont do a money dance but the bouquet and Garter are done almost each and everytime.
Probably not the first to use this, but as I was ripping it to my HD,
I thought "Wow" this would be cool for a garter removal.... The Pink Panther Theme.
I thought "Wow" this would be cool for a garter removal.... The Pink Panther Theme.
Never ever done any dollar dance (i would be a dead DJ) , love story or anniversary dance. I may try to add some funny twist to the anniversary dance.
Any ideas guys?
My wedding people expect a lot of fun. That's why we start right after the wedding table intro with the kissing game. We have a few balloons ready with special missions inside (one for each table). The very first table that starts to make some noise with their fork and glass will be called to the dance floor. They will pop up the balloon, read their mission and do it. The better they do it, the better kiss from the bride and groom.
That's where our fun starts. We developed about 20 missions and let the bride and groom pick up the best. Background music will be "mission impossible".
You can use some sense of humour and create your own missions.
Our most popular are vodka shoots for the whole table, everybody are doing hoolahop for one minute, the whole table is doing waves like on the hockey game, copy cat kissing, the whole table is doing moonwalk dance or twist, or rock and roll etc. GeT some high-energy music ready...
We run the game during the dinner and most of the time people walk on the dance floor without asking. Sometimes the groom say over the mike that is ready for more kissing and will call out the next table, sometimes we will ask nicely the table to participate.
The key is to make everybody relaxed and ready for the challange.
I also added some funny twists to my centerpiece giveaway, let me know if you are interested...
The centerpiece we always run just 5 minutes before the first dance. This way you don't have to worry about dinner, smokers, etc...
Around 10.00 pm is the perfect time for the group dance, some conga line, zorba dance, tequila dance, rasputin, (if requested also YMCA and lambada) will get them ready for the hot buffet and the Bouquet and Garter removal...
At this point their tolerance level is very high and we can do some crazy stuff... All i can say is that sometimes is very hard to hold my tears from laughing...
Any ideas guys?
My wedding people expect a lot of fun. That's why we start right after the wedding table intro with the kissing game. We have a few balloons ready with special missions inside (one for each table). The very first table that starts to make some noise with their fork and glass will be called to the dance floor. They will pop up the balloon, read their mission and do it. The better they do it, the better kiss from the bride and groom.
That's where our fun starts. We developed about 20 missions and let the bride and groom pick up the best. Background music will be "mission impossible".
You can use some sense of humour and create your own missions.
Our most popular are vodka shoots for the whole table, everybody are doing hoolahop for one minute, the whole table is doing waves like on the hockey game, copy cat kissing, the whole table is doing moonwalk dance or twist, or rock and roll etc. GeT some high-energy music ready...
We run the game during the dinner and most of the time people walk on the dance floor without asking. Sometimes the groom say over the mike that is ready for more kissing and will call out the next table, sometimes we will ask nicely the table to participate.
The key is to make everybody relaxed and ready for the challange.
I also added some funny twists to my centerpiece giveaway, let me know if you are interested...
The centerpiece we always run just 5 minutes before the first dance. This way you don't have to worry about dinner, smokers, etc...
Around 10.00 pm is the perfect time for the group dance, some conga line, zorba dance, tequila dance, rasputin, (if requested also YMCA and lambada) will get them ready for the hot buffet and the Bouquet and Garter removal...
At this point their tolerance level is very high and we can do some crazy stuff... All i can say is that sometimes is very hard to hold my tears from laughing...
G
Guest
Guest
Reception traditions and activities vary. Much depends upon where one lives and where the B&G come from. Some guests may have traditions of their own.
We've seen this. Had a group of guests from another country do a dance that was a wedding tradition where they came from. They provided the CD. All I had to do was play it. I didn't understand a word of the lyrics but it was fascinating to watch.
Then there's the up-and-coming celebrity vocalist, usually a younger lady. She'll get some mic time to voiceover a tune.
The dollar or honeymoon dance doesn't seem to be popular here for some reason. When I lived in Virginia, it was part of every reception protocol. But we're closer to folks from NY and New Jersey, too. Wedding cultures are different. That may be why.
The garter and boquet seem to be losing steam as well. It used to be a main event. Now it seems to be more of a sideshow if the B&G want it at all. I used to do a pups' boquet and garter by giving 'em candy to throw. Not much interest in that anymore either.
Around here, one of the unspoken traditions seems to be ringing bells or tapping the glasses to get the B&G to kiss. We've seen this happen at a few weddings we've done. It's a guest thing and quite fun to watch. It can happen at any time. Someone will start and it goes 'round the room. Gets 'em smoochin' a lot.
We've seen this. Had a group of guests from another country do a dance that was a wedding tradition where they came from. They provided the CD. All I had to do was play it. I didn't understand a word of the lyrics but it was fascinating to watch.
Then there's the up-and-coming celebrity vocalist, usually a younger lady. She'll get some mic time to voiceover a tune.
The dollar or honeymoon dance doesn't seem to be popular here for some reason. When I lived in Virginia, it was part of every reception protocol. But we're closer to folks from NY and New Jersey, too. Wedding cultures are different. That may be why.
The garter and boquet seem to be losing steam as well. It used to be a main event. Now it seems to be more of a sideshow if the B&G want it at all. I used to do a pups' boquet and garter by giving 'em candy to throw. Not much interest in that anymore either.
Around here, one of the unspoken traditions seems to be ringing bells or tapping the glasses to get the B&G to kiss. We've seen this happen at a few weddings we've done. It's a guest thing and quite fun to watch. It can happen at any time. Someone will start and it goes 'round the room. Gets 'em smoochin' a lot.