The Traditional Garment for Collecting Wedding Gifts

Wedding purses date back to at least the 15th Century, and were just as practical then as they are now. (A woman always needs a good bag to hold accessories.) One big difference: At one time the purse was a gift to the bride from the groom.

Poland adopted the Dollar Dance a couple of centuries later, a wedding custom in which guests danced with the bride and pinned money to her gown. The tradition was more than just fashionable, as many couples had very little money to start their new lives together. Since then, the Dollar Dance has been adopted throughout Europe and parts of Latin America, and a Wedding Purse has become a popular alternative to pinning money on the bride’s gown.

The Wedding Purse is now a popular American custom too, especially if you come from a European background. (The Dollar Dance is common too.) The bride can carry around a specially made purse at the reception, and guests put money in it as they meet and greet. In addition to money being a common gift for certain cultures, the custom is just a heck of a lot of fun.

Another popular idea is to have a Money Bag, a larger accessory that can be placed near the bride’s table. Sometimes, a bridesmaid or trusted friend takes care of the bag and/or purse. The bag is becoming increasingly popular, since guests can also place gift cards inside.

If you decide on a Wedding Purse or Money Bag, you should discuss the style with your dress-maker, so it doesn’t clash with your outfit. They aren’t generally made together, so bring in photos. Money Bags can be quite large, and made in a variety of shapes and styles, so don’t just grab that birdcage-designed bag and think it will look swell next to your tiny Vera Wang strapless.

Once the Dollar Dance is over or the Money Bag has been out for an extended period of time, do have a friend take care of it and lock it up somewhere, so you don’t need to worry about it for the rest of your ceremony. Then check out your goodies at a later date!

-David Toussaint

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