Father-Daughter Dance Songs For Love Dedication
The most special moment in a father’s life is his daughter’s wedding, second only to the day she was born. Father-daughter dance songs celebrate this beautiful bond between the bride and her dad. We hand-picked the best 101 songs for the Father-Daughter Dance to inspire you.
We have created a list of our favorite best songs for weddings. But first, what is the father-daughter dance?
What is the Father-Daughter Dance?
The Father-Daughter Dance or the Daddy-Daughter Dance is formally the dance between the father of the bride and the bride herself. The bride should choose one of her favorite melodies to act as the father daughter dance songs. There are many father-daughter wedding songs to choose from.
What if I have a Stepdad?
Remember, this is your wedding and you can honor the people that matter to you most in the way that makes sense to you. Brides, if you have more than one father in your life, one can tap the other on the shoulder in the middle of the dance so you can dance with both of them. We’ve even seen this happen with one biological dad and two step-fathers.
Or, choose two father-daughter wedding songs and reserve a special dance for each of your fathers. That way you can choose a song for each man, that will fit his personality and be representative of your relationship. Talk to your professional wedding coordinator and DJ so they can take it into account.
What if Our Wedding Falls on Father’s Day?
Many weddings occur in the summer which makes sense — especially for outdoor weddings. Even in social distancing because of COVID, most of the immediate family are available and masked. If your wedding reception falls during one of the father-centered holidays, make an extra effort to honor your dad with the father-daughter dance.
Popular Father Holidays
- June (Third Sunday) – Father’s Day
- July 7 – Father-Daughter Take a Walk Day
- July 30 – Father-In-Law Day
Interesting fact: The only song performed by a father daughter combo to chart as a Top 10 song on Billboard is Frank Sinatra and Nancy Sinatra’s Somethin’ Stupid (Album Version).
What If I Don’t Have a Father?
It could feel awkward if your new spouse dances with their mom and you don’t have a dad. It’s okay, If you do not have a father, a common substitute is a father figure or even your brother would make a very nice gesture. Then, you can have a special brother bride song.
This also goes for same-sex couples. You can honor the parent of your choosing with each dance. Your wedding is for you — as a new couple. Don’t let anyone else bully you.
I Don’t Want Too Many Formal Dances
Hey if the step-parent situation is complicated or slightly adversarial, you can always skip it. Or, keep it to a minimum. Some bridal couples combine the father-daughter dance with the mother-groom dance into just one song to dance.
In this case, a bride and groom should agree on a song that is memorable to everyone involved. There are plenty of songs that are ambiguous enough to allow for both the bride and the groom to dance with their parental figures. Whatever helps you celebrate your special day the best is what you should do.
The songs aren’t required to be about a daddy giving away his little girl (especially if you’re down with the patriarchy, right?). They don’t even have to be about a father or a daughter! They can simply be songs about love, dedication, or even something silly.
Does the Father-Daughter Dance Have to Be Serious?
Absolutely not! The point of the father-daughter dance is to honor your relationship. If you have a history of goofing off, then make your dance a fun one!
A lot of people choose funny songs instead of serious father-daughter songs. This gives the dance a light-hearted feel. Many fathers and daughters would rather do something fun than something serious.
And if you can’t decide on what song to use, you can always choose an instrumental number such as a jazz tune, classical waltz, or contemporary dance music. The most important thing is to not rush your decision. You can even discuss it with your father or the man you will dance with if you like. It can be super fun to make the song a surprise and see his reaction (be sure to tell the photographer and videographer to look for it). We cannot name all the great father-daughter songs; that would be impossible.
Father-Daughter Song Dedications
Dad and daughter songs can also be commonly used as dedication songs to honor that special bond. A dad can dedicate a song to his daughter for events like her birth, special birthday (sweet sixteen), teaching her how to dance as a little girl, and also as a dad’s dedication to his daughter at her wedding.
Daughters can also dedicate songs to her dad in special moments such as at her wedding, his retirement party, and special dances at school events. Daughters can dedicate some of the above songs for not only dads but also those who have filled the role like the song “He Didn’t Have To Be” by Brad Paisley.
Daddy-Daughter Dance Songs
Another need for dad and daughter songs is for the special Daddy-Daughter dances that schools host. The night usually includes dinner, too. It is a time for your dad to take his best suit to the dry cleaners. He can also take you shopping (yay!) for a new dress to wear for the Daddy-Daughter date night.
Father-Daughter Dance Songs For A Special Moment
The songs we’ve chosen tell a story about the love between a dad and daughter. The songs can be dedicated to dad from daughter or for daughter from dad. Wedding vendors commonly call the dance between a dad and his daughter the father-daughter dance which is formal.
In a less formal title, it can be called the dad-daughter dance. When you think about it, how many daughters call their male parent father over dad? We should change the name to dad-daughter dance!
Final thoughts. If you have a father who passed away before your wedding day, check out this song. “Would Have Loved Her” by Chris Bandi.
Father-Daughter dance song list curated by Matthew Campbell
Last Updated: August 29, 2020
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Listen to our father-daughter dance playlist on Spotify.
Do you have a favorite father-daughter dance song, not on our list? Please share it below so that we can add your song!
Related Father Daughter Song Lists:
- Songs with Dad in the Song Title
- Songs with Daddy in the Song Title
- Songs with Father in the Song Title
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Great list! Another favorite father daughter dance song Watch video
Thank you for sharing Jennifer. I like the video!