What Do Aprons and Hog Troughs Have to do With Weddings?

From Erik Michaels and June Hoffman of Megasound

Have you ever heard of the "Apron Dance" or the "Hog Trough Dance" at Weddings?


The Dollar Dance: Some traditions at weddings evolved to help with more modern issues. As we mentioned in our post about the honeymoon, when honeymoons originated, they had a different meaning and lasted a bit longer (typically a month) than today's honeymoons. As honeymoons evolved into more expensive "vacations", a new way to help the bride and groom pay for their honeymoon also evolved. The dollar dance is also called the "money dance" or "apron dance" and originated in Poland around 1900. It began in immigrant neighborhoods and was started to help brides and grooms with the costs of either their honeymoon or setting up their new life together.

Originally, the Best Man would begin dancing at the reception with the Bride and pinning money onto her dress or putting it into a purse or an apron which she wears over her dress specifically for this event (which is where the namesake came from). Nowadays, the Groom is also a part of the dance and rather than just men dancing with the Bride and women dancing with the Groom, more often than not; there are no particular rules. Even children join in for these modern festivities. Some Fort Wayne couples have even made the dollar dance into a challenge (to see who can collect more money) during the reception.

The Hog Trough Dance: Another interesting dance at receptions is called the "hog trough" dance. This tradition is much lesser known than the dollar dance, but is often done around the same time frame (in the reception) as the dollar dance. The “tradition” goes as follows: when a younger sibling gets married before an older sibling; the older sibling is supposed to get in the hog trough and dance. This is done to bless the younger sibling's wedding, as it was once believed to be bad luck for a younger sibling to marry before an older sibling.

While doing a bit of research, references were made to this tradition originating in Germany and being mainly a rural tradition. Some research turned up articles referring to this custom as a northern Baltic tradition, but there is a surprisingly small amount of information available today on this subject. Many of the previous meanings have been forgotten and today we simply enjoy the humor and camaraderie of the “hog trough” dance.

Regardless of what traditions you would like to make a part of YOUR wedding reception, rest assured that Megasound will work with you to customize your wedding just the way you want it! Call us TODAY to schedule your FREE consultation!