The Money Dance - A South Louisiana Tradition
The money dance is traditional in several different cultures. In most cases, it is a dance where the male guests pay for the privilege of dancing with the bride, although in today's weddings, the female guests also pay for the privilege of dancing with the groom. Each person who dances with the bride (or groom) gets just a few seconds before another guest cuts in. The money is for spending money for their honeymoon.
The custom began in America earlier this century by European immigrants who wanted to assure that the young couple had a few extra dollars to face the future with. It has endured in certain areas of the United States, while it is virtually non-existent in others. The custom also has its direct roots in both the Italian and Cajun heritages.
You can decide in which manner your dancing partner can deposit his/her offering . . . in a purse carried by either you on your wrist or held by the hostess, or, as is done most often, they can pin the money on the Bride's veil or the Groom's tuxedo. Pins are offered to guests by the hostess who stands on the edge of the dancing area by the waiting line.
The purse comes from Italian tradition, a variation of the "Communion Purse" that young girls years ago carried on their First Communion Day, and relatives and friends would put money in it as a gift on her special day. The fun-loving Cajuns brought out the pins instead.