Father-Daughter and Mother-Son Dance
The song for the father-daughter or mother-son dance should reflect the relationship the two of you share. For the couples whose dads or moms have passed away or are not in your life anymore, there are other options to still have this dance. You might choose to dance with your step parent, mom/dad, grandfather/grandmother, uncle/aunt or friend instead.
Do’s
• Make it about your parents – Include them in the decision. They will be touched by the thought to choose a song they also like and it will be an even more beautiful moment for the two of you to share
• Pick a song that is a comfortable length for both of you – If he/she is uncomfortable about being up there keep it a shorter song, or cut the song short (Your DJ can help you with this)
• Practice together before hand. It’s important that you both feel comfortable and know what’s going on. Get used to moving together to the song, and know when your cues are. The father- daughter dance is right after the first dance, with dad stepping in, and the mother-son dance start half way through the father-daughter dance with the groom extending the dance invitation to mom who is waiting at the side of the dance floor. When emotions are running high on the wedding day it’s good to know you’ve practiced and know what’s happening so you don’t have to think about that anymore but rather just enjoying that special moment
Don’t
• Feel like you can’t have a father-daughter dance or mother-son dance if your biological mother or father isn’t a part of your life anymore, you could always dance with another family member or a friend. Simply rename the dance, have your MC announce the significance of what you are doing, who you are doing it with, and both your guests and dance partner will be touched by the gesture
• Don’t feel like you have to have a father-daughter or mother-son dance if you and your dad/ mom aren’t close and aren’t comfortable with the idea. It’s an optional part of the night and it’s your wedding after all. You can have a first dance and plan it into the night in such a way that the absence of the father-daughter dance isn’t noticed
Some great songs to consider for your father-daughter dance:
John Mayer – “Daughters”
Tim McGraw – “When the Stars Go Blue”
Bruce Springsteen – “When You Need Me”
Tom Petty – “Wildflowers”
Ben Folds – “Gracie” Wilco – “My Darling”
Natalie Merchant – “Kind and Generous”
Loudon Wainwright – “Daughter”
Paul Simon – “Father and Daughter”
Ray Charles – “Ain’t That Love”
Lulu – “To Sir With Love”
Nancy Sinatra – “It’s For My Dad”
Bob Marley – “Three Little Birds”
Heartland – “I Loved Her First”
Rascal Flatts – “My Wish”
Frank Sinatra – “I Wish You Love”
Beyonce – “Daddy”
Edwin McCain – “Walk With You”
Michael Buble – “Daddy’s Little Girl”
Martina McBride – “In My Daughter’s Eye”
Faith Hill – “There You’ll Be”
Trace Adkins – “And Then They Do”
The Temptations – “My Girl”
Gigi – “Heaven For Little Girls”
Billy Joel – “Just The Way You Are”
Nat King Cole / Natalie Cole – “Unforgettable”
Bette Midler – “The Wind Beneath My Wings”
Paul Petersen – “My Dad”
Mariah Carey – “Hero”
Bob Carlisle – “Butterfly Kisses”
Paul Anka – Times of Your Life”
Steve Moser, Mikki Viereck, Ray Allaire – “A Song For My Daughter”
Elton John – “Can You Feel The Love Tonight”
Frank Sinatra – “The Way You Look Tonight”
Rod Stewart – “Have I Told You Lately”
Celine Dion – “Because You Loved Me”
Celine Dion – “My Heart Will Go On”
Van Morrison – “Have I Told You Lately”
Louis Armstrong – “What A Wonderful World”
Kenny Rogers – “Through The Years”
Holly Dunn – “Daddy’s Hand”
Kippi Brannon – “Daddy’s little Girl”
Peter Cetera – “Daddy’s Girl”
Billy Joel – “Lullabye”
Peabo Bryson & Regina Belle – “A Whole New World”
Alabama – “How Do You Fall In Love”
Stevie Wonder – “Isn’t She Lovely”
Fleetwood Mac – “Landslide”
Amy Grant – “Father’s Eyes” Elton John – “Friends” Peter Gabriel – “In Your Eyes”
Some great songs to consider for your mother-son dance:
Bridge Over Troubled Water (Simon & Garfunkel)
Danny’s Song (Kenny Loggins)
Don’t Know Much (Linda Rondstadt and Aaron Neville)
Easy (The Commodores)
Ever I Saw Your face (Roberta Flasck)
Forever Young (Joan Baez)
A Mother’s Love (Mark Masri)
A Mother’s Prayer (Bonnie Barbey)
A Song For My Son (Steve Moser, Mikki Viereck, Ray Allaire)
Because You Loved Me (Celine Dion)
Blackbird (Beatles)
Blessed (Elton John)
Greatest Love Of All (Whitney Houston)
Have I Told You Lately (Rod Stewart)
Hero (Mariah Carey)
I Hope You Dance (Lee Ann Womack)
I Wish You Love (Natalie Cole)
I Won’t Last A Day Without You (The Carpenters)
I’ve Always Loved You (Third Day)
My Life (The Beatles)
In This Life (Bette Midler)
In Your Eyes (Peter Gabriel)
It Could Happen To You (Diana Krall)
It’s Your Song (Garth Brooks)
Just The Way You Are (Billy Joel)
Landslide (Smashing Pumpkins)
Letter To My Mother (Edwin McCain)
Lifening (Snow Patrol)
Love Of My Life (Carly Simon)
Loves Me Like A Rock (Paul Simon)
Moon Dance (Van Morrison)
Moon River (Andy Williams or Henry Mancini)
My Wish (Rascal Flatts)
Oh Very Young (Cat Stevens)
Somewhere Over The Rainbow (IZ)
Song for Mama (Boys II Men)
Info adapted from here.
