Tips for Planning the Best Father-Daughter Dance

Whether you choose to dance with your father, stepfather, or the father figure in your life, the father-daughter dance is one of the highlights of the wedding reception. Here are some tips to help you choose the best song possible for you and your father.

• Have you and your dad pick a song that feels right for the both of you. If it’s simply too hard to choose, ask your DJ and they can make some recommendations (or choose it for you)
• If you have a dad and a stepdad, pick a song that represents your relationship with each of them.
• Resist the temptation to save time and “double up” on the dances, i.e. don’t do the mother-son dance at the same time.
• If you’re uncomfortable being in the spotlight for the entire song, have the DJ cut out the music around 90s. Just make sure you dance long enough for your photographer to catch some great shots.
• Since it’s your wedding day, you can plan to do your father-daughter dance whenever you want. Typically though, it’s right after the couple’s first dance and the mother-son dance will follow.
• If your dad has passed away, you can choose to leave out the father-daughter dance completely. You can also choose to play a song during this segment in his memory or other special gesture.
• If the parents are absent for any reason, you can also choose to do a group dance or a special dance with someone else you’re close with, i.e. grandfather, uncle etc.
• Some couples choose to do a dance with their new in-laws too – that’s entirely up to you and how you want to plan your special day.

Below are some genre specific choices to help inspire you to choose the perfect father-daughter dance song.

For a list of the most popular songs for a father-daughter dance click HERE.

Classic Rock

1. When You Need Me (Studio Outtake 1987) – Bruce Springsteen
2. Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel) – Billy Joel
3. Here Comes The Sun – The Beatles
4. Landslide – Fleetwood Mac
5. You Are So Beautiful – Joe Cocker
6. My Father’s Eyes – Eric Clapton
7. Have I Told You Lately – Van Morrison
8. Father And Daughter – Paul Simon
9. She’s A Rainbow – The Rolling Stones
10. Sweet Child O’Mine – Guns N’ Roses
11. When I See You Smile – Bad English
12. Wildflowers – Tom Petty
13. Teach Your Children – Crosby Stills Nash & Young
14. You’re My Best Friend – Queen
15. Thank You For All Your Loving (Band Version)- Elton John

Pop and R&B

1. Times Of Your Life – Paul Anka
2. You Are The Sunshine of My Life – Stevie Wonder
3. Right By You (For Luna) – John Legend
4. Hero – Mariah Carey
5. Lean On Me – Bill Withers
6. When My Little Girl Is Smiling – The Drifters
7. Your Song – Ellie Goulding
8. Ain’t No Mountain High Enough – Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
9. One Call Away – Charlie Puth
10. I Love You So Much – DJ Khaled Ft. Chance The Rapper
11. Dance Like Yo Daddy – Megan Trainor
12. First Man – Camila Cabello
13. Home – Michael Buble
14. Daddy – Beyonce
15. Stand By Me – Ben E. King
16. Dance With My Father – Celine Dion
17. That’s How Strong My Love Is – Otis Redding
18. I Will Walk With You – John Fogerty
19. Three Little Birds – Bob Marley & The Wailers
20. Let’s Dance – David Bowie

Jazzy Dance

1. Unforgettable – Natalie Cole, Nat King Cole
2. God Bless This Child – Billie Holiday
3. Dream A Little Dream Of Me – Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong
4. They Can’t Take That Away From Me – Ella Fitzgerald Ft. Louis Armstrong
5. Someone To Watch Over Me – Ella Fitzgerald
6. The Best Is Yet To Come – Michael Buble
7. The Way You Look Tonight – Frank Sinatra
8. What A Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong
9. Come Fly With Me – Frank Sinatra
10. Come Rain Or Shine – Ray Charles

With you starting a new chapter in your life, the father daughter dance is a great way to honor your father at your wedding. It’ll also be a great memory for the both of you to have.