Filipino Wedding Tradition Helps You Pay for Wedding With a Dance Party

The Filipino wedding Money Dance : A fun way to help fund your celebration!

 

You already know how expensive an average wedding can be, but did you know you could help cover the costs by getting down on the dance floor? The fun-loving Filipino “money dance” wedding tradition is a symbolic way for friends and family to show their support for your marriage. It can also encourage friends and family to contribute to wedding costs, one dance, and one dollar, at a time! Here’s how it works. 

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How to do the Filipino money dance: Wedding basics 

 

During the money dance (also known as the dollar dance or el baile del dólar, you and your new spouse head out to the dance floor following the formal wedding ceremony. While you shake away any remaining wedding-day stress, friends and family members dance up to you and pin money to your clothing with safety pins – pinning anything from a one dollar bill to a hundred dollar bill are common. 

 

By the end of the dance party, you’re covered in money – and you’re one step closer to covering the cost of the wedding ceremony! (Or at least to treating yourself to a great meal.)

 

Another popular variation of this tradition is done by taping or pinning dollar bills together to form a long garland of money or "money lei." This money garland is assembled ahead of time by a friend or family member, and is draped or wrapped around you on the dance floor instead of pinning. This variation is a great way to avoid damaging an expensive wedding dress or wedding suit with safety pins.

 

Similarly, some newlyweds place a basket on the dance floor during a designated song, so that guests can contribute without interrupting their dance (or damaging their clothes).

 

And in Hawaii and Puerto Rico, this tradition has evolved even more, adding a fun twist: guests don't just pin money on the newlyweds clothes – they consider each bill to be payment for a dance! The happy couple trades dances for dollars, and friends and family get to show their support in a playful way. 

 

Related: 5 Puerto Rican Wedding Traditions You’ll Love, On a Budget!

 

 

How to announce the money dance at your wedding

 

Ask your wedding DJ, emcee, or an enthusiastic loved one to grab the mic and announce the start of the money dance (or dances). They can let guests know what to do, and the meaning behind the tradition: showing their love and support for you and your future! Your DJ can encourage guests to pitch in a little extra by letting them know that these gifts will help pay for the wedding, a honeymoon, or a romantic date night as newlyweds.

 

 

Let wedding guests know ahead of time

 

To include any of these variations of the money dance in your own traditional or multicultural Filipino wedding, let your guests know that the ritual will be a special part of your wedding reception ahead of time. This way, they’ll know to arrive with cash in-hand, or to contribute to the money garland ahead of time. Let your loved ones know that any amount is appreciated – single dollar bills are traditional, and individual contributions vary widely depending on each unique family situation. 

 

 

Dances are great icebreakers for wedding guests 

 

Many cultures give money as a wedding gift, such as the lucky red envelopes at Chinese weddings (hongbao), or the special envelopes presented by family during Japanese weddings (goshugi). But what sets this Filipino wedding tradition apart is its fun and festive approach, encouraging everyone to get up and move! 

 

The “money dance” is a great way to get both sides of the family talking to each other, to keep kids entertained, and to shake off any residual stress (or boredom) from a long wedding ceremony. Even better, this wedding tradition is completely gender-neutral, making it a fun choice for a same-sex or same-gender wedding too. 

 

So what are you waiting for? It’s time to hit the dance floor!

 

See what the couple looks like after a traditional money dance in the video below:

 

 

Watch guests pay the bride for a dance in this fun variation: 

 

 

A family-friendly el "baile tradicional del dólar" with kids participating (multicultural variation of the money dance):

@enrique_empire cada dólar un deseo de amor y prosperidad #fyp #bailedeldolar #bailedeldolar💵 ♬ Mix Zapateado - Arkangel Musical de Tierra Caliente

 

And here’s a great demonstration of how to create a garland of dollar bills for a money dance:

 

 

 

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More Filipino Wedding Ideas & Inspiration from American Marriage Ministries

 

• Modern Filipino Wedding Ceremony Script with Unity Veil, Cord, & Coins

 

• How to Include the Wedding Lasso Tradition in Your Ceremony
   
• 5 Great Reasons to Ask a Friend to Officiate Your Wedding
   

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