Strange Wedding Reception Traditions

[lissawynn]

I was reading the post about the groom's cake at a wedding reception, and I got to thinking about strange wedding reception traditions.
Here in northeastern PA, we(and I mean we in a regional population sense) do some strange stuff at wedding receptions.
For example, at some receptions there is a dollar dance where you pay to dance with the bride and then have a shot of some kind of liquor when you're done your dance. Sometimes the bride is "kidnapped", and everyone at the reception has to give some money to get her back.

Anyone else have or have seen strange stuff like this at wedding receptions?

 

[Hippychickali]

For example, at some receptions there is a dollar dance where you pay to dance with the bride and then have a shot of some kind of liquor when you're done your dance.

I have heard of the dollar dance and I don't get that either. But I digress... I can't think of any strange traditions off the top of my head but I'll keep thinking and get back to you.

Ali

 

[NMAmy]

I've seen the dollar dance before (even had one at my first wedding) but not with the shot of liquor included.

My British husband was shocked and amazed by the Chicken Dance when he went to the weddings of my nephew and my niece. I suppose it is a little odd if you'd never seen it before! Well, heck, even if you HAVE seen it before.

 

[SillyMe]

How about when the younger sibling marries before the older sibling...the older sibling has to dance in the pig trough?

 

[Maleficent13]

My ex-BIL (from NE PA) "kidnapped" me at my reception. I had no idea it was coming...he got drunk and thought this would be a brilliant idea.

I think my grandpa actually thought I was kidnapped...he gave $10 instead of $1...at least I knew who loved me!!

 

[Christine]

I was reading the post about the groom's cake at a wedding reception, and I got to thinking about strange wedding reception traditions.
Here in northeastern PA, we(and I mean we in a regional population sense) do some strange stuff at wedding receptions.

I've never been to a reception where anything strange was done, but I have *heard* of lots of strange customs. Funny thing is, most of them come from Pennsylvania!!!

 

[Hippychickali]

How about when the younger sibling marries before the older sibling...the older sibling has to dance in the pig trough?

Do explain. This is going to be the case at my wedding. What is the pig trough?

Ali

 

[monkeyboy]

Seeing a black cat at a wedding is good luck

I was at one that had a 1/2 dozen running around...of course they might have been chaing the mice in the reception hall

 

[Hippychickali]

Seeing a black cat at a wedding is good luck

Around here, it is also thought to be good luck if it rains on your wedding day. Personally, I think it's just a way to make people feel better about the crappy weather.

Ali

 

[SillyMe]

Do explain. This is going to be the case at my wedding. What is the pig trough?

Ali

You know the wooden pig trough from which pigs feed? Well, they bring one (unused) into the reception & make the older unmarried sibling dance inside the trough in front of everyone. Then the younger sibling usually ends up joining in...sometimes the rest of the family. It's pretty corny, but I've seen it done quite often since I can remember. I think the actual point of it is just to embarrass the older sibling.

 

[piratesmate]

DH has family in Schuylkill Co PA that "dances the bride." In addition to the shot of whiskey, they give you a cigar. I thought the oddest part the first time I saw it was the women dancing the bride - and getting the cigar as well. I think only one of the brides was kidnapped though.

They must have thought our wedding was soooo boring! (cold cuts & cake, no music in the church basement) They sure do know how to party!

 

[gallaj0]

I've seen the dollar dance at 2 weddings I traveled to, one in Pennsylvania, one in Texas; no shots though.

Around here (Boston area) we do the chicken dance, and dancing to the "Unicorn" song is pretty popular at the Irish weddings.

 

[Hippychickali]

You know the wooden pig trough from which pigs feed? Well, they bring one (unused) into the reception & make the older unmarried sibling dance inside the trough in front of everyone. Then the younger sibling usually ends up joining in...sometimes the rest of the family. It's pretty corny, but I've seen it done quite often since I can remember. I think the actual point of it is just to embarrass the older sibling.

Needless to say, we won't be having this tradition at our wedding. I'm pretty sure the groom's sister wouldn't appreciate this. How humiliating!

Ali

 

[dbond]

I've seen the $ dance in Texas. But, not until recent years. It is a tradition that has been transplanted to the South.

A traditional Texas wedding reception when I was growing up was at the church, two cakes, champagne (depending on church denomination), background music, no dancing. Over the years, I've seen the addition of sit down dinners, live bands or a dj, dancing, open bar. The first time I ever went to a reception with a sit down dinner, the bride's family was from RI. The $ dance has really caught on down here in the last 15 or so years.

I think it's a sure sign that I'm getting old when I start talking about how we did things in the old days and how times are a changing! I've got a 20 yo DD, I've become aware that I need to start saving my money for the wedding expectations of today!

 

[mom2rb]

I'm from Texas and almost every wedding I have been to has had a money dance. I read it was a Catholic tradition and my family is Catholic so that could be why.I have even been to a few where they auction off the bride and groom. To start the money dance the first dance goes to the highest bidder.

The only weddings I have been to with out one were Baptist and they don't allow any dancing.

 

[Papa Deuce]

I've never been to a reception where anything strange was done, but I have *heard* of lots of strange customs. Funny thing is, most of them come from Pennsylvania!!!

Yep, I was at a "pseudo" Amish wedding and people danced around a big metal container of water, and some of them stepped in it. I was the DJ, and was just told to play along!

 

[mom2rb]

I think this thread maybe a little hard because nobody knows that their wedding traditions are strange. I had no idea that a groom's cake was a Southern thing until I read it here.

I think people will just have to write about strange things they have seen at other people's weddings. Then we can all write if that is normal where we live.

 

[kaseyC]

The Electric Slide?

 

[CajunDixie]

Around here dollar dances aren't just for the bride but also for the groom too. No shots after the dance though. I have seen the hog trough several times at Catholic receptions also.

 

[crz4mm2]

I have seen the dollar dance for years around here. Recently they have added a Groom dollar dance as well. In years past the dollars were pinned tothe bride's dress. Now they just put them in a purse made for that reason....
I never did get having to pay for part of a dance, but guess it is just really for the bride and groom to have $$$$
We used to just have cake and punch in the church basement around here (25+ years ago) we were pretty forward having our reception at the local eagles club where LIQUOR was available! LOL. Now you are almost expected to have sit down dinners and open bars. I think it is nuts how much $$$ is spent on this sort of stuff.