summertime is here , and that means it ’s hymeneals time of year . If you ’ve never attended a wedding outdoors of Wisconsin , you may not agnise precisely how unique our traditions are ( most Saint Brigid from other share of the US do n’t think to go barhopping , or graba slice of their pet pizza pie , after getting hitch … their red ink ) . We do a lot of drinking , a lot of weird dances , and just ca n’t seem to give up our favorite team for even one day . Here are the grown signs you ’ve constitute yourself at a Wisconsin marriage .
Somebody’s wearing a cheesehead
Your Packers pride does n’t contain during the offseason , so why should it slow down during your wedding ? At any Wisconsin wedding ceremony , you ’ll always be able to find at least one person wearing a Badgers railroad tie , Packers cufflinks , or a Polish racing sausage necklace . In fact , we should call on this into some variety of local wedding game … guest who wear something Wisconsin sports - related take shots ?
The bride can drink more than the groom (and does)
Wisconsin peeress are capable of maintain our equanimity and assuredness … while completely drinking our manful counterparts under the table . Brides in Wisconsin do n’t hold back , but usually , they ’re smarter about drinking than grooms , and comprehend the night as a battle of Marathon , not a dash – which serve them think the entire evening . Keep up the adept work , ladies .
At least one polka has already played
No matter where in Wisconsin the marriage ceremony is site , there will be family and friends of German and Polish lineage in attendance . Grandma expects a polka , and she ’s decease to get one , gosh darnit . The large upper side : a polka always brings everyone out on the terpsichore trading floor because it necessitate less coordination than the Electric Slide , but can in reality be considered a dancing ( we ’re expect at you , YMCA ) .
…and the Chicken Dance is up next
exchangeable to the polka , the volaille dance allows even the most uncoordinated , rhythmically challenged guests to sashay their wings … er , stuff . Plus , Thomas Kid love this one , and we ’re with them . Just give up on search coolheaded and plunk into the merriment .
The UW Marching Band and/or Bucky Badger show up
If the St. Bride or groom are grown UW - Madison sports fans , then do n’t be surprised if the marching band or Bucky Badger make an appearance . Bucky generally tears up the dancing floor , performs his first-rate - fly headstand , and arrest everyone to join him in " jump-start Around . " And the isthmus will lead everyone 5th Quarter - dash with " On Wisconsin " and " Hot Time . " No Badger faithful can resist the fortune to tattle " Heeeey babe , I wanna know - ow - ow , if you ’ll be my fille ? " to his St. Bridget .
You know to bring small bills for the dollar dance
As horrifying as Miss Manners thinks it is , the dollar dance is pretty omnipresent around this province . Legend ( aka Wikipedia ) has it that the dollar terpsichore originated in Poland , so it only make sense that it ’s got a strong foothold here . There are many variations , but they all need gift the bride dollar sign bills for a dancing ( no , not that kind of dance ) , whether by pin them on her frock , or lug them into an apron or purse she puts on . The duet commonly earmarks that money for a particular purpose , like their honeymoon or their first child .
There’s time scheduled between the ceremony and reception for barhopping
Everyone gets get at when there ’s a two - hour gap between the end of the wedding ceremony and the head start of the receipt . But in Wisconsin , we ’ve figured out the idol solution : go straight from the pew to a barstool . Often times , this is a formalized affair : once the entire wedding party party end picture , they ’ll take off for a few bar . But for most Edgar Guest , this crack time is used to build up a base of beer before the response – or catch a Badgers or Brewers plot on TV .
And you go barhopping after the wedding, too
If your response hall closes at midnight , that leaves plenty of prison term to grab a few more drinks – with the bride and groom admit . This is particularly true for Downtown Madison weddings , where you may detect groomsmen in dinner jacket tramp State St on any give Saturday night . All that beer require some carbs to souse it up , so former - nighttime chow are also a must . It ’s not unusual to see a bride and ostler in pedigree for a slice ofIan’sat closing time .
If it’s early spring, everyone’s wearing their winter coats
Not everyone can get married in the summer , so twain who choose to get married outdoors in springtime and fall are at the clemency of Mother Nature . April showers tend to adhere around through May , as do the accompanying chilly temps . And the terminal of October can see flurry . In those cases , it wo n’t just be Auntie Ruth don five layers ; it ’ll be everyone , including the bride . I depend fancy white shawl - makers graze in the sugar up here .
The beer runs out before the party is over
Only in Wisconsin can we drink a wedding dry . It does n’t encounter often , because the hard liquor budget is ordinarily accordingly gamey , but couples that underrate their guests ' chug power will never learn the end of it for the rest of their mirthfully married sprightliness . When this happens , usually a ( sober ) 18 - year - onetime is tasked with driving a less - than - serious family member to the liquor depot … and save the party with a trunkful of hard drink .
The flower budget is cut before the beer budget
Not that every Wisconsin wedding skimps on bloom , but if the budget need balancing , the beer will be the last item to get cut . Every twain will supply their invitee with free alcoholic drink of some sort , whether it ’s a kegful of Miller Lite , or a full , top - shelf open measure for the intact night ( a very grave and expensive , but take account , proposition in Wisconsin ) . This is of the utmost importance … not allow for some mannikin of free hard drink is so vulgar here .
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