Lyla Dejesus
Samoan weddings are often large, expensive affairs, with both families contributing financially to the event. The bride and groom are expected to lavish gifts on their many guests, which can include money, to establish themselves as a new family in the community. In return, guests also give cash gifts to the couple, with amounts depending on their relationship to the bride and groom. During the reception, guests perform a 'money dance' or 'money spray' where they stick money to the bride, place it on the couple's foreheads, or throw it at them as they dance, to symbolise good fortune and a wealthy marriage.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for putting money on the bride | Symbol of respect and a wish for good fortune and wealth |
| Who puts the money on the bride | Guests |
| How is the money put on the bride | Pinned or taped onto the bride's clothing or put in a bag for the couple |
| Who pays for the wedding | Both families |
| Who supplies food and money for the groom's family | Bride's family |
| Who serves food | Representatives of both families, usually the eldest siblings of the marrying couple |
| How is the menu decided | Based on the guest's social status |
| Who attends the wedding | Anyone in the village can be invited |
| How many guests | 100s of guests |
| Who performs the dance | Family members or hired performers |
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What You'll Learn
- Samoan weddings are costly for the families involved, with both sides contributing
- Gifts of money are a sign of respect and a wish for future wealth and good fortune
- Money is attached to the bride and groom during the 'Dollar Dance' or Money Dance
- The bride and groom gift their guests presents based on their social status
- Samoan weddings are large, with many uninvited guests, making them more expensive
Samoan weddings are costly for the families involved, with both sides contributing
Samoan weddings are considered fa'alavelaves, which translates to 'costly for the families involved'. This is due to the fact that both families contribute money towards the wedding, and there are often many guests to accommodate. In Samoan culture, status is extremely important, and engagements must be approved by both families before a wedding may be planned. This approval is given during a ceremony called the Saofai, which honours the chiefs in each family. The families then exchange gifts as a symbol of their new unity and the joining of the families.
Samoan weddings are known for their generosity, and it is common for there to be many uninvited guests. In fact, if you are in a Samoan village while a wedding is taking place, you will likely be invited. This means that the guest list can be very long, and there may be up to 400 people in attendance. As such, the wedding reception is often held outdoors, and there is a large feast with generous serving sizes. The meal typically includes roast chicken or pork, corned beef, boiled taro, Samoan chop suey, and macaroni. It is common for guests to bring their children along, and for the children to fill baskets with food to take home.
The wedding ceremony includes dance performances by family members or hired performers, and the bride performs the Hulu dance for her new husband as a symbol of her love. The bride and her groom also dance together, and guests attach money to them, which is said to symbolise good fortune and a wealthy marriage. This is known as the Dollar Dance or money dance, and is a traditional part of Samoan weddings.
The cost of the wedding is often shared between both families, and it is common for the couple to ask all of their relatives to help with this expense. As well as the cost of food and entertainment, there is also the expense of gifts for the guests, which are expected to be lavish.
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Gifts of money are a sign of respect and a wish for future wealth and good fortune
Samoan weddings are often very large, with a focus on generosity and community. It is common for there to be many uninvited guests, and it is considered perfectly normal and polite to invite anyone in the village where the wedding is taking place. This can make weddings very expensive, with both families contributing to the costs.
Gifts of money are a common way to show respect and honour at a Samoan wedding. This can take the form of a money dance, where guests attach money to the bride and groom, or spray them with money as they dance, to symbolise good fortune and a wealthy marriage. This is also a way to help the couple financially, and to wish them future wealth.
The money dance is called the 'Dollar Dance' or 'apron dance' and is a personal moment for guests to share with the couple, while also contributing to their financial future. The money is collected and put into bags for the married couple. This is a common tradition at weddings in other cultures, too, such as in the Philippines.
Samoan weddings are considered 'faalavelaves', as they can be very costly for the families involved. Gifts of money are, therefore, a practical way to help the couple and their families with the expense.
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Money is attached to the bride and groom during the 'Dollar Dance' or Money Dance
Samoan weddings are often very large, with many uninvited guests, and are considered costly for the families involved. In Samoan culture, gifts are called "Meaalofa", meaning "a thing of love". Gifts are seen as a way to show love, gratitude, respect, and strengthen relationships.
The Dollar Dance, also known as the Money Dance or Apron Dance, is a traditional Samoan wedding custom. During the dance, guests attach money to the bride and groom, wishing them good fortune and contributing to their financial future. The dance allows guests to share a personal moment with the newlyweds. In some traditions, the money is sprayed or pinned onto the couple's clothing, while in others, guests may place money directly into a bag carried by the bride.
The bride, usually covered in coconut oil, dances in a floral gown with a flower crown or a rose in her hair. While she dances, the money sticks to her. This is a sign of respect from the guests, wishing the couple a wealthy marriage. The groom also participates in the Money Dance, with female guests pinning money to his clothes.
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The bride and groom gift their guests presents based on their social status
Samoan weddings are often expensive, with both families contributing to the costs. The bride and groom are expected to gift their guests presents based on their social status. This is part of the reason why Samoan weddings are so costly, as lavish gift-giving is expected from the couple to their many guests. This custom is said to help the newlyweds establish themselves as a new family in their community.
In Samoan culture, status is extremely important, and engagements must be approved by both families before a wedding may be planned. It is considered essential for the bride and groom to be of similar social status and rank because the family is so involved. The families exchange gifts as a symbol of their new unity and the joining of the families. It is also common for guests to bring their children to the wedding, who bring baskets to fill with food to take home.
The wedding reception feast traditionally features roast chicken or pork, corned beef, boiled taro, Samoan chop suey, and macaroni. Guests are seated according to their status and served by representatives of both families, usually the eldest siblings of the marrying couple, in the order they are seated. The amount of food served is usually far beyond what a person would eat in one sitting.
Samoan weddings often include the "Dollar Dance" or "Money Dance", where guests attach money to the bride and groom, wishing them future wealth and good fortune. This can be done by spraying them with money as they dance or pinning the money to their clothes. The money is then collected and given to the couple.
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Samoan weddings are large, with many uninvited guests, making them more expensive
Samoan weddings are usually large, with many uninvited guests, making them more expensive. In Samoan culture, it is customary for weddings to be paid for by both families, and they can be very costly. The bride and groom's families exchange gifts as a symbol of their new unity and the joining of the two families.
Samoan weddings are often held at the bride's home or a large function centre, and the guest list can be very flexible. It is common for there to be more than 100 uninvited guests, and it is considered perfectly normal and not a faux pas as it may be in other cultures. If you are in a Samoan village while a wedding is taking place, you will likely be invited. This is because Samoans value generosity and hospitality, and the more family members, the better.
The wedding feast is a significant part of the celebration and is served to all guests, with generous serving sizes. The amount of food served is usually far beyond what a person can eat in one sitting, and it is common for guests to bring children along to fill baskets with food to take home. The wedding cake is also a huge expense, as it is usually tiered vertically and horizontally to feed the many guests.
The cost of the wedding is often shared among the extended family, and gift-giving is an important part of the culture. Gifts are seen as a way to show love, gratitude, respect, and strengthen relationships. It is customary for guests to give cash as a gift, and this can be done during the Dollar Dance or Money Dance, where guests pin money on the bride and groom's clothing to wish them good fortune and financial prosperity.
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Frequently asked questions
In Samoan culture, guests put money on the bride as a sign of respect, wishing the couple future wealth and good fortune.
The money dance, also known as the Dollar Dance or Dança das Moedas, is a traditional wedding custom in Samoan culture. Guests share a personal moment with the bride and groom by dancing with them and pinning money on their clothes or spraying it on them. The money is then collected and given to the couple to contribute to their financial future.
Samoan weddings are usually expensive due to the large number of guests, including uninvited ones, and the abundance of food served. Both families contribute financially to the wedding expenses, with the bride's family traditionally bearing most of the costs.
