What Is The Anniversary Dance?

(Source)

I've received this question from a few people, either those who read my blog and noticed my mention of it in a previous post or from the many many friends and family whose ears I talk off about the wedding (I know I'm obsessed, I'm sorry!). Anyways, the anniversary dance is one of the sweetest traditions I've found during all my research online. I had never heard of it before I started reading (stalking) wedding blogs but once I found it, I knew it had to be done at our wedding.

The anniversary dance is basically a way to honor the couple attending the wedding who has been together the longest. From what I've read, usually the MC or DJ announces it, asking all couples (married or not, that's your call) onto the dance floor for a couples dance. After a minute or two, all couples who have been together less than ____ years (you can choose the increments, we'll probably use 5 or 10 years, depending on the length of the song we choose) are asked to have a seat. After another few seconds, this is repeated using a larger number and so on and so forth until there is only one couple left, the one who has been together the longest. The couple is then presented with the bridal bouquet (this part is optional but I want to do it since I'm not having a bouquet toss.)

I love this idea for several reasons. One, I think it is important to honor those marriages that have lasted for decades and even half-centuries. These types of unions are an inspiration to me and deserve a place at our wedding. Plus, if you can put up with your man for 50+ years, you deserve a damn bridal bouquet :) I also like it because it will serve as an alternative to the bouquet toss, which I'm really not into.

I hope that the anniversary dance is an honor for the couple who ends up with the bouquet, as well as a reminder to the rest of us what a loving and happy marriage can look like. Truth be told, I hope that Mr Trail Mix and I look like this couple in the picture above when we're old and grey and who knows, maybe someday we'll be the last ones standing at another anniversary dance far down the road...

I hope I'm still holding TM's hand at 80...

Anyone else doing an anniversary dance? Have you heard of this tradition before or am I in the minority? Any other traditions you found while wedding planning you've decided to incorporate?