New Wedding “Traditions”
(new trends in special wedding reception moments)
by Joy Diglio, Rent-a-DJ Bridal Consultant

Last Dance
This is especially nice at a day reception, because it adds closure to the event. There are several ways it can be executed, and several meanings it can represent.

Thank You Dance (usually used as the Last Dance)
The DJ has all the guests form a circle around the dance floor. The Bride and Groom stand in the middle of the circle and you walk around to each guest and thank them. The DJ could play:

Marriage Dance (sometimes called Generation Dance)
All the married couples, including the both of you are invited onto the dance floor. The DJ plays a beautiful romantic slow song (Like “Always & Forever”, “Through the Years”, or “Just You & I”) and all the couples dance. Following a little dancing, the DJ asks all those couples married three years or less (Except the Bride & Groom) to leave the dance floor. After some more dancing, all the couple married 10 years or less are asked to “Take a break” from dancing. Then 20 years, then 30 years. After 30, the figures change to 31, 32, 33 etc. until the couple married the longest remains. The Bride and Groom should then exchange partners with the final couple, creating a touching moment for all involved.

** Variation: When it comes down to the final couple, the music fades and the DJ asks the couple to introduce themselves, and perhaps give the Bride and Groom a piece of advice on hoe to maintain a successful marriage. Then a new love song begins (“Have I told you Lately”, “Endless Love”), and is dedicated it to both couples who should exchange partners. (Great photo opportunity and/or video moment.)

Couples “Good Luck” Dance
The Bride & Groom and bridal party are invited onto the dance floor for a slow dance. The DJ announces that it is an old tradition that each couple that joins the Bride & Groom on the dance floor during this particular song will bring the couple one more year of happiness. Everyone is asked to honor this little know tradition of wishing the newly weds many years of happiness.

Wedding Cake Charms (usually done prior to cake cutting)
This tradition varies depending upon the you nationality, family history, etc. Basically, seven different charms (attached to ribbons) are inside the top of the wedding cake. They all have specific meanings (Ring = you will be the next one married; Thimble = you will be the old maid, etc.) The bridesmaids or close single female friends of the bride each pick a ribbon and pull out a charm to tell their future. It is best to check with your Cake person for more details regarding this tradition.

Music may or may not be appropriate or necessary; depending on your number of bridesmaids. If you would like music, how about a nice instrumental like “Love Theme from St. Elmo’s Fire” or something upbeat with lyrics like “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun”?

Black Garter Ceremony
An alternative to the traditional Bouquet & Garter for couples who have few single friends:

Garter Toss:
Set it up traditionally except invite all the MARRIED men onto the dance floor. After the Groom tosses the garter, the DJ informs the winner that he can place the garter on his wife, in privacy, at home that evening.

Bouquet:
The Bride goes out onto the dance floor and invites a special friend up, and presents her with the bouquet.

** Variations include: both Bride and Groom on the dance floor invite out a “serious” but unmarried couple and either present, or gently toss from a short distance, the bouquet and garter. You can have him place on her and/or vise-versa, or forgo that part and go into the “Couples Good Luck Dance”.

And an old tradition... The Dollar Dance
In the days that people actually gave wedding presents to the Bride and Groom, the Dollar Dance was used to raise cash for the couple. Essentially, a.) men pay either the Maid-of-Honor or the Groom to dance with the bride, or b.) men pay the Maid-of-Honor to dance with the Bride, and women pay the best man to dance with the Groom. (One or two baskets are usually available for the money collection.) The “payer” generally dances a few moments with the honoree, and then the next person cuts in. The DJ will play appropriate slow dance music.