Brides choosing the Father/Daughter Dance

Your Father/Daughter dance is a tradition rich in history. At one time this dance truly symbolized one of the last times a Father would be able to share such an intimate moment with his daughter – it was his chance to “say goodbye” after giving away his daughter in marriage.

The symbolism behind this dance – a tender moment after a father has given away his daughter to create a new household – is the reason that many traditional songs used in Father/Daughter Dances are very sentimental. Some of these songs are considered too sappy and I have even heard clients describe a few songs as “icky,” suggesting some sort of incestuous lyrics. In the last few generations the family itself has changed – many families are “blended” from among multiple marriages and divorce is commonplace, meaning Fathers are sometimes people who come along much later in a person’s life. So a wide range of emotions may be in play during your Father/Daughter dance and it doesn’t have to be a drama fest.
Here are a few suggestions we have about how to handle the Father/Daughter dance, along with song suggestions and examples from past weddings.
1. You and Dad have a very special bond, and this is such a special and emotional day for him. You don’t want to choose a song that’s going to make both of you cry, but if that happens, it’s really quite fine, and a very common occurrence. We think it’s very sweet. When you choose this song, go back to your childhood, what are some of the songs your father used to sing to you or play a lot on the home stereo? Maybe there is a special gem that you didn’t even think of. Talk to your dad about it and make sure he is comfortable with the song and with dancing to it. If you’re both really nervous about it, it won’t feel natural, so perhaps you could drag your dad to 1 dance class, it might be a lot of fun for the two of you and you’ll definitely be more confident about your special moment.
2. So you and your dad are not “really close” but you recognize that this dance is respectful and a nice moment and you choose to do it. Do something lighthearted and fun, not a really sappy song. Perhaps you can even combine this dance with the Mother/Son dance song, if your fiancé and his mother don’t mind.
3. You and Dad are not traditional types, you like Led Zepplin, Metallica, Ozzy and Tool. Hey, no problem, pick one of their songs and have a ball. It’s so much more authentic when you allow yourself to be yourself on your wedding day, and trust me, your guests will appreciate that.
4. You have 2 or more “Fathers.” I come from a blended family, and believe me, I understand what you’re going through. Who do I invite? Who do I dance with, etc. Lucky for me, I don’t have to do a Father/Daughter dance, and I will only be dancing with my Mom when that time arrives. But I understand what Brides are going through with having a father and a step-father, especially if you’re close to both of them. Then there are times that we’re closer to step-parents than our biological ones. Again, it’s ok. I suggest that if you’re close enough with both of them, you dance with both of them. You can pick 2 songs and just dance to a few minutes of each song and the DJ can fade out of one song and introduce the next Dad to the dance floor for the 2nd dance. No one feels uncomfortable when something is done tastefully. If you’re closer to one dad, ask him if he would prefer to be first or second, chances are he’ll be very understanding and respectful and will relish the moment no matter what order he dances with you. By not making this a huge deal, this isn’t a huge deal, it’s just a nice way of having a special moment with your dad or dads and it doesn’t have to be long and drawn out. Our DJs can fade songs at any point you choose and in a professional manner move the evening forward without any “icky” or hurt feelings.
5. You don’t have a living father. This one is always a tough one for families, but in certain situations, paying some honor or respect to your deceased loved one can be done in your toasts or speeches, but can also be honored with a dance. Several Brides have chosen to dance with another male friend or family member who has been a positive influence on their life, including several Brides who have chosen their brother(s) to have a special dance with. In one case I saw a Bride dance with several of the men in her family who each gave her a rose in honor of her father who was there in spirit. This was a very touching moment, however, if you do not wish to draw any attention to this touchy subject or you don’t want to risk an emotional roller coaster, simply allow for a few tasteful words about him and have a great time at your wedding, knowing that he would have wanted that for you.
We hope these scenarios help you in selecting the right song for the father daughter dance. If you have other suggestions for us, please feel free to tell us about them.
Below is a list of Father Daughter Dance songs that our DJs have played at weddings in the past 12-18 months. There’s a wide variety of choices here, but these are just suggestions and guidelines, feel free to pick any song you want and as always, have fun!

20 Father Daughter Song Suggestions:
1. Wonderful World- Louis Armstrong
2. Unforgettable- Nat King and Natalie Cole duet
3. In My Life- The Beatles
4. The Way You Look Tonight- Frank Sinatra
5. Daddy- Kendall Payne
6. Because You Loved Me- Celine Dion
7. Have I Told You Lately- Van Morrison/Rod Stuart
8. I Learned From You- Miley and Billy Ray Cirus
9. There You’ll Be- Faith Hill
10. She’s Got A Way- Billy Joel
11. Tupelo Honey- Van Morrison
12. I Loved Her First- Heartland
13. My Girl- Temptations
14. Isn’t She Lovely- Stevie Wonder
15. Butterfly Kisses – Bob Carlisle
16. How Sweet it is- James Taylor
17. Father and Daughter – Paul Simon
18. I Hope You Dance- LeAnn Womack
19. Stand By Me – Ben E. King
20. Beyond The Sea- Bobby Darrin