The Money Dance From my personal experience, the money dance has always been a celebration of a new life and well wishing akin to any other culture that wishes good fortune on new married couples.  The money dance is referred to by a number of names, including the dollar dance and the apron dance, depending on the ethnic customs. In exchange for a few fun-filled seconds whirling around the dance floor with the bride or groom, guests can either pin cash on the newlywed couple’s clothing, toss coins into the bride’s shoes or tuck bills into a dainty satin satchel that the bride wears around her wrist. The money dance receives a lot of criticism from brides and grooms who are unfamiliar with the cultural custom. However, in many traditions, guests eagerly anticipate the moment, lining up for song after song until they get their intimate moment. It is not uncommon for guests to wait until this time to present the newlyweds with their wedding gift, slipping them some cash to help build a nest egg for their future dreams.

It is equally likely that a guest will pin a $1, $5 or $100 bill on the bride’s dress or the groom’s tux.

Many sources mistakenly credit the tradition with originating in the Polish community in the early 1900s. In fact, the money dance has been a celebrated wedding ritual for centuries in dozens of cultures around the world, ranging from the U.S. to South America to Europe.

United States

In the U.S., the money dance is a regional tradition that is most prevalent throughout the Southern and Midwestern states. American brides from Louisiana, Texas and Oklahoma to Iowa, Ohio and Wisconsin all report that the money dance is an important part of the local reception rituals. Typically, the dance takes place toward the end of the formal festivities, after the cake-cutting and bouquet toss but before the majority of the guests leave.

Other times, it is saved for the last dance, right before the newlyweds leave for their honeymoon.

The best man usually kicks off the festivities by pinning money on the bride’s dress while the maid of honor dances with the groom. The best man and maid of honor are also responsible for handing out the pins and sending in new partners every few seconds — just long enough for the guests to offer their congratulations and the bride and groom to thank them for coming.

Pacific Islander

• Philippines The wedding money dance, or Saya ng Pera, is almost a requirement at Filipino weddings. To kick off the boisterous peso-pinning party game, which can last for up to three hours in some small villages, a woven lei of money is usually placed around the couple’s neck. Most guests prefer to pin the money to the newlywed couple’s garments to symbolize good fortune. Most couples opt to play traditional Filipino folk music or popular love songs.
  • “Personally speaking, when I go to weddings and participate in the money dance, I love to create some sort of funny clothing out of bills and then adorn the couple in my freshly minted money costume during their dance.” ~JM

During the bitor, the newlyweds are showered with money and guests toss bills and coins into a plate in exchange for wine that is served by the bride and groom. The change is gathered into a handkerchief then passed to the groom, who ceremoniously hands it over to his bride.

• Samoa and Tonga Samoans and Tongans view the taualuga as an essential ritual for most ceremonial events, so the blessing custom is almost always included at weddings. Guests lafo by throwing money into the air around the couple as they dance while the bride tries to balance an elaborate headpiece.

“The taualuga symbolizes the conclusion of a monumental task and the beautifying final touches involved,” explains Sean Malone in his book, “Samoan Arts and Artists.” “The dance is frequently performed as the grand finale.”

South America

The money dance is celebrated in Puerto Rico, Cuba and Mexico in much the same way as it is in the U.S.

• Puerto Rico In Puerto Rico, the guests remove the capias pins from a doll that is outfitted identical to the bride. After the guests claim their souvenir charms, the doll is placed at the head table as a symbol of good luck for the couple’s future children.

• Mexico In some parts of Mexico, it is the job of the groomsmen to ridicule the groom by dressing him in an apron, placing a veil upon his head and tossing him into the air after the money dance. The bridesmaids and groomsmen are also responsible for presenting the newlyweds with 13 silver or gold arrhae coins.

~http://weddingtraditions.about.com/od/ReceptionRituals/a/Wedding-Money-Dance.htm

The Wedding Money Dance in Central and Southeast Europe Throughout the central and southern regions of Europe, where marriages are elaborate occasions that can last for several days, the wedding money dance is a highly anticipated part of the festivities. The tradition likely evolved from a European custom that required guests to pay the accordion player to enter the wedding reception.

• Poland Known as the Czepek, the money dance is meant to help the young couple finance their honeymoon. Guests dance with the bride and groom by pinning money onto their clothing and then they circle the couple and toss money into the veil. The custom became especially popular in U.S. immigrant communities in the early 1900s, which is a big reason why the money dance is often erroneously reported as originating in Poland.

• Greece Traditionally, the Greek money dance is held right before the couple leaves the reception. The maid of honor is responsible for collecting and safeguarding the cash the couple makes. After the dancing wraps up, the guests encircle the bride, who waits patiently as her dashing groom tries to bust through the throng. Once he finally rescues his fair maiden, he throws her over his shoulder and carries her to the getaway car, amidst the cheering crowd, to start their honeymoon.

• Italy As guests arrive at an Italian wedding reception, they slip an envelope filled with cash intoa little purse that the bride carries around on her wrist. The typically white buste is made of satin and embellished with pearls or rhinestones. During some point in the night, every male guest is expected to dance with the bride and contribute their share to the nest egg fund.
• Spain Spanish brides are presented with gifts of money during the Sequidillas Manchegas. It is rare for grooms to participate in the traditional dance.

• Germany, Hungary and Portugal Just after midnight, when German, Hungarian and Portuguese wedding festivities are in full swing, the bride trades in her white wedding gown for an elaborate red dress. As sheplaces her shoe in the middle of the dance floor, her father announces that his daughter is now for sale. The men at the party eagerly form a line for the chance to pay for a dance with the bride, which they deposit into her shoe. As the dancing continues, her other shoe is passed around the room for guests to make a contribution to help the young couple start out “on the right foot.”

• Ukraine At Ukrainian weddings, the father of the bride begins the money dance by pinning a bill to his daughter’s dress. After the best man and then groomsmen have a turn, the other male guests are invited to offer their congratulations. Some brides opt to wear an apron with pockets instead of using straight pins.

• Yugoslavia Rather than pinning money onto the bride, male guests at a Yugoslavian wedding discreetly hand their cash gift to the best man, who is charged with safeguarding the money for the entire night.
• Macedonia Alongside the traditional money dance, Macedonian newlyweds host the pig dance. Roasted whole and placed upon a silver platter, the couple carries the swine from table to table thanking each guest for attending. In return, the guests throw money onto the platter as their way of wishing the newlyweds good fortune and prosperity in their marriage.

~http://weddingtraditions.about.com/od/ReceptionRituals/a/More-Wedding-Money-Dance-Traditions.htm