50 Best Father & Mother-In-Law Dance Songs
Everyone knows about the special dances between a bride and her father and the dance between a groom and his mother. These are the more popular parent dances at a wedding reception. Why not include your father and mother-in-law in the dance spotlight?
What is an In-Law Dance at a Wedding?
Special dances between a bride and her father-in-law or the groom and his mother-in-law make each side of the wedding couple feel honored and included.
These dances between a wedding couple and their spouses’ parents are perfect for any wedding — traditional or not. Blended families, step-parents, and same-sex couples can all incorporate their in-laws at their wedding.
It is up to you, as the wedding couple, how much attention to focus on these dances but we’d like to inspire you to think beyond tradition.
Why Would You Include Wedding Dances with the In-Laws?
Why include your in-laws? It kind of sucks to be excluded. The mother of the groom gets a special dance and her husband doesn’t. The father of the bride gets a special dance and his wife doesn’t. She just does all of the wedding planning and emotional support.
Including a dance with the in-laws is a way to include both of the bride’s parents and both of the groom’s parents. What if your parents are in a same-sex marriage? How do you honor your parents? What if one of your parents has deceased? Including the in-laws in these special dances is a way to adapt the wedding traditions to our modern families.
When Would I Dance with My Mother-in-Law?
The wedding couple can make the in-law dances immediately following the father-daughter and mother-groom dances. Additionally, the in-laws can tap in mid-dance. If you choose this option be sure to coordinate with your professional DJ.
It’s worth noting that the more formal dances you have, the more time guests are waiting to cut loose and dance themselves. We would recommend announcing that the bridal couple has a special song with their in-laws and to invite everyone to join in with their dance(s).
What if I Don’t Want an Extra Dance with My In-Laws?
The bride’s father-in-law dance and groom’s mother-in-law dances are optional and not common at wedding receptions. Instead of making them into dances, the wedding couple can make the songs into dedications during the wedding reception.
Another reason for the in-law song list is when parents have deceased or there is family estrangement. Let’s face it, that’s a real possibility in today’s modern family. This gives an option to dance with a spouse’s parent for the father-daughter and/or mother groom dance when the designated parent is not able to attend the wedding reception.
Bride Father-In-Law Songs
Father-In-Law Dance Songs are played at a wedding reception while the bride dances with her new father-in-law. There are many options for the formalities for this dance. Option 1 would be for the bride to dance with her father for the father-daughter dance. Then, have her new father-in-law cut in to finish the song. Option 2 is to have the bride and father-in-law have their own special song to dance. Option 3 is to play a song for both couples to dance – a bride with her father-in-law and the groom with his mother-in-law.
Groom Mother-In-Law Songs
Mother-In-Law Dance Songs are played at a wedding reception while the groom dances with his new mother-in-law. There are many options for the formalities for this dance. Option 1 would be for the groom to dance with his mother for the mother-son dance. Then, have his new mother-in-law cut in to finish the song. Option 2 is to have the groom and mother-in-law have their own special song to dance. Option 3 is to play a song for both couples to dance – a bride with her father-in-law and the groom with his mother-in-law.
Similar song lists for further reading:
50 Best Bride/Father-In-Law And Groom/Mother-In-Law Wedding Dance Songs
In-law wedding song list curated by Matthew Campbell
Last Updated: January 24, 2021
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| Song | Amazon Link | |
|---|---|---|
| Andrea von Kampen Forever Young 2019, Folk |  | |
| Beatles Here Comes The Sun 1969, Rock | | |
| Beatles I’m Happy Just To Dance With You 1964, Rock | | |
| Bellamy Brothers Let Your Love Flow 1976, Country | | |
| Ben E. King Stand By Me 1961, Soul | | |
| Bob Marley Three Little Birds 1977, Reggae | | |
| Bobby McFerrin Don’t Worry, Be Happy 1988, Jazz | | |
| Club Nouveau Lean On Me 1986, R&B | | |
| David Bowie Let’s Dance 1983, Pop | | |
| Dolly Parton Family 1991, Country | | |
| Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros Home 2012, Indie | | |
| Elton John Blessed 1995, Pop | | |
| Enya Only Time 2000, New Age | | |
| Eric Church Like Jesus Does 2011, Country | | |
| Faith Hill There You’ll Be 2001, Country | | |
| Fleetwood Mac Landslide 1975, Rock | | |
| Frank Sinatra The Way You Look Tonight 1941, Jazz | | |
| George Strait I Just Want To Dance With You 1994, Country | | |
| Haley Reinhart Heroes 2021, Pop | | |
| Hank Williams, Jr. Family Tradition 1979, Country | | |
| Harry Connick Jr. A Wink And A Smile 1993, Jazz | | |
| Hootie & The Blowfish Hold My Hand 1994, Rock | | |
| Jackson 5 I’ll Be There 1980, R&B | | |
| James Taylor How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) 1975, Rock | | |
| James Taylor You’ve Got A Friend 1971, Rock | | |
| Jason Mraz Life Is Wonderful 2005, Rock | | |
| Johnny Nash I Can See Clearly Now 1972, Reggae | | |
| Judds Love Can Build A Bridge 1990, Country | | |
| Kenny Chesney Don’t Blink 2007, Country | | |
| Lee Ann Womack I Hope You Dance 2000, Country | | |
| Louis Armstrong What A Wonderful 1967, Pop | | |
| Mariah Carey I’ll Be There 1992, R&B | | |
| Mary J Blige Family Affair 2001, R&B | | |
| Michael Buble The Best Is Yet To Come 2007, Jazz | | |
| Michael Martin Murphey Wildfire 1975, Country | | |
| Nat King Cole Smile 1954, R&B | | |
| Natalie Cole I Wish You Love 1993, Pop | | |
| Pretenders I’ll Stand By You 1994, Rock | | |
| Rascal Flatts My Wish 2006, Country | | |
| Ray Charles Ain’t That Love 1962, R&B | | |
| Rob Thomas Little Wonders 2005, Rock | | |
| Rod Stewart Forever Young 1988, Rock | | |
| Sister Sledge We Are Family 1979, Disco | | |
| Thomas Rhett, Kane Brown, Ava Max On Me 2020, Pop | | |
| Tim McGraw Humble and Kind 2016, Country | | |
| Tim McGraw Meanwhile Back At Mama's 2014, Country | | |
| Tom Petty Wildflowers 1994, Pop Rock | | |
| Uncle Kracker Smile 2009, Pop | | |
| Van Morrison These Are the Days 1989, Pop | | |
| Whitney Houston & CeCe Winans Count On Me 1996, R&B | | |
Hot New Songs Delivered Monthly!
To lessen the amount of specialized dances, my fiancé and I have decided to blend the in-law dances. Me dancing with my FIL and my fiancé dancing with MIL. Can you think of a song?
Hello. Most of the above songs will fit. However, one of our favorites is Tim McGraw’s “Humble and Kind”.
Is there an upbeat song that 3 mother in-laws could sing together? We all love our daughter (mine and the exes new wife) and son (the son’s momma). Nothing sappy – just light and funny and melodic.
Thank you,
Natasha
Hi Natasha. Thanks for your question. In your scenario, I really like the song I Can See Clearly Now by Johnny Nash or Lovely Day by Bill Withers.
Are there any songs like “I loved her first” but from the mothers point of view instead of the fathers?
Hi Tina. Thanks for reaching out. Instead of this list, I would recommend reviewing our Mother-Daughter song list. You have better choices there.
Hi there, my future FIL had asked to do a song at our wedding before we were ever engaged. I’m trying to find an appropriate song, he’s 76 so nothing really fast but not anything lovey to make it awkward. We like country, and old country is fine like Hank Williams Jr, Conway Twitty, etc. I was thinking of “I just want to dance with you”- George Strait but some other ideas would be helpful! Thank you
Hi Alle. My favorite song for an occasion such as your dance with your FIL is the George Strait song you mentioned. However, here are are a couple of other suggestions: Family Tradition – Hank Williams, Jr., Let Your Love Flow – Bellamy Brothers, and Wildfire – Michael Martin Murphey.
Hi, my father has passed and I’m doing a dance with my father n law. I don’t want uncomfortable references in the song that would go with a DIL and father n law dance. He loves jimmy buffet and I enjoy all types of music but would like to keep it upbeat. Are theme is tropical and at beach. Can you help?
Hi Brandie. Thanks for the question. I know you requested a more upbeat song but I think the song that most fits the situation meeting your requirements would be Jimmy Buffett – Oldest Surfer on the Beach. Hope this helps!
My dad is deceased and I’m looking for a song to dedicate to my fil for a wedding dance but want it to be from me to him, not sound like it’s to me from him. Do you have any ideas, prefer country if possible
Hi Sarah, sorry for your loss. Here are a couple of Country suggestions for you to review: The Bones – Maren Morris, Faith Hill – There You’ll Be, Love and Theft – Love Wins. Please do let us know what song you choose.
Hello! I am afraid that my future daughter-in-law’s parents are going to be stuck in China and miss the wedding because of the corona virus and restrictions. Nothing can ever take the place of dancing with your father but I was trying to think of a song that my husband could dance to with her that tells her how much we love her and welcome her into the family?
Hi Audrey. Sorry to hear your story. The song choice depends on the theme you want to have. Because her Dad cannot make it, you could play Don’t Worry, Be Happy to lighten up the mood. You could also play I’ll Be There by Mariah Carey to offer comfort and love. Hope this helps with your song selection.
Any suggestions of a song for daddy daughter mother and son to dance to all together
Hi Jeanelle, many couples select non-parent-specific songs like I Melt, What A Wonderful World, etc.
My soon to be son in law lost his mom and I have also lost my son. Our dance will be very special. Any song suggestions?
Hi Lelie, I am not sure as to the style of music you like. However, what about the song Alison Krauss & Union Station – The Lucky One https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcRZ_J_VgNc
My son does not have a very good relationship with his mom, but I have talked him into doing the dance out of respect. He wants a short country song that isn’t all mushy on a mother’s love. Any suggestions?
Hi Mike and great question that actually gets asked many times. First, talk with your DJ as many professional DJs can create a short version of popular songs so that it doesn’t sound like it is cutoff. They can make them around 2 minutes which is a perfect length to prevent awkwardness in the dance. My favorite for your situation is Humble and Kind by Tim McGraw. Hope this helps!
My dad passed away and my fiance has a complicated relationship with his mom, so we are going to do one song where I dance with his father and he dances with my mother. Right now the only song I’m considering is “Teach Your Children” – Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. I’ve been reading through some other suggestions below and some of them start off great but end up with more “romantic” lyrics than I’m looking for (i.e. falling in love, kissing, etc.) which I do not think would be appropriate. Any other suggestions for a simultaneous dance like this? Thanks!
Hi Erin. First, sorry for your loss. I love the Teach Your Children song too and would be very appropriate. A couple of other offbeat suggestions would be The Best Is Yet To Come by Michael Buble, Three Little Birds by Bob Marley, Home by Edward Sharpe, Let’s Dance by David Bowie and Here Comes The Sun by The Beatles.
Hi there. My step-daughter is getting married. Her father and I have been married for almost 16 years but she has never really liked me (she is a little less than 10 years younger than me and she was 21 when we got married) although we get along pretty good now. Her and her mother has already planned a MIL/SIL dance but I would like to dance with the new SIL too (although I am not sure I am going to say anything). In this circumstance do you have any song recommendations?
Hi Christina. Thank you for submitting your question. Situations like this happen more than you would think. I would recommend a song that doesn’t signify the love bond between a mom and her son. Rather, I would select a song that either tells a story, or wishes him well in his new life. A couple selections include My Wish – Rascal Flatts, The Beatles – I’m Happy Just To Dance With You, George Strait – I Just Want To Dance With You, The Beatles – Here Comes The Sun and Tim McGraw – Meanwhile Back At Mama’s. Hope this helps.
Both of my parents are deceased as well as my fiance’s mother.
Any suggestions for songs I could dance to with my father in law?
Also any suggestions on what song and with whom my fiance could dance with for the mother/son dance? My step mother won’t be there.
Hi Amy. First, the song with your FIL depends on your relationship. If you are close, the maybe He Didn’t Have To Be. If not, pick a more uptempo song like My Girl. As for your fiance, he doesn’t have to have a dance or you could have him cut in during the middle of the dance with your FULL to I Loved Her First. Hope this helps.
I am looking for a song for the brides father and the grooms mother r to dance to. Any suggestions?
Hi Naketa. I would suggest keeping it a bit more lively and upbeat. I would not do a lovey song as it may create an awkward moment. What about Happy Together by The Turtles?
My fiances parents aren’t together. He has a step dad and his dad has a girlfriend of ten years. We want to do a dance where I dance with his step dad and he dances with his dads girlfriend but not sure on song. Any suggestions?
Hi Shuri. Thank you for the question. Here a few suggestions in different music styles:
Love Will Always Win – Garth Brooks & Trisha Yearwood
I’ll Be There – Jackson 5
Little Wonders – Rob Thomas
The Best Is Yet To Come – Michael Buble
Hope this helps!
Somewhere in the World by Wayne Watson might be a song to consider in some circumstances.
Thank you Autumn. We will add it to the list.
My soon to be father in law lost his only daughter a few years back. He calls me his “Mija” and I know it would mean so much to him if I had a dance with him since he won’t get that chance to have a dad/daughter dance. Any suggestions specifically for this situation? Thank in advance!
Hi. I think it is great that you want to do such a dance. It will be a very special moment for your FIL. Here are a few suggestions. More upbeat and uplifting – Somewhere Over the Rainbow by Israel Kamakawiwo?ole. In remembrance – Angel – Sarah Mclachlan. Father Daughter remembrance – Dance With My Father – Luther Vandross. Hope this helps!
My fiance parents are dead can I do a mother in law dance instead
Hi Lisa. Absolutely. Just choose a song that represents your relationship.
Hi, we wanted to have both sets of parents dance to a song right after the bride/father and the son/mother dances. What songs would you recommend for those dances? Thank you! The Brides parents are “still” married, but the (us) groom’s parents are divorced. But we wanted one song together to reflect on our lives together as parents. Suggestions? Thank you!
Hi Marvae. Great question. Having both sets of parents on the dance floor could create some awkwardness. You may think about joining them on the dance floor mid-way through the song. A couple song suggestions include Blessed – Elton John, I Wish You Love – Natalie Cole, Through The Years – Kenny Rogers and Love Can Build A Bridge – Judds.
Hi I’m wanting to do a special song from both sets of parents at my son and his new brides wedding in December … It will be a surprise but want it to reflect both families our love and wishes… Please help
Hi Darlene. Many of the above songs fit the bill. I would just check these out first.
Since my mother in law is almost 100 and will not make our reception /1 year anniversary cocktail party….. My husband and I have an idea of a Groom and mother in law (my mom) dance…. Would anyone have any suggestions on a song for them to dance to?
2 of our favorites are My Wish by Rascal Flatts and What A Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong.
Hi, so my dad is not a part of my life, and I plan on having my uncle walk me down the aisle, but have my new father-in-law do the father daughter dance with me. The dance is a surprise, so I want the song to be a really good one but I have no idea which to chose. Help please!!
Hi Sabrina. We recommend I’ll Be There by Jackson 5 or Maria Carey.
The man I am about to get married to mother is not going to be at our wedding and I wanted to do a mother son song with my mom and him because they are so close. Any recommendations?
Hi Tabby. I would not do a slow song but more upbeat that has less to do with love and more about family. A newer song for an example would be Meanwhile Back At Mama’s by Tim McGraw.
Never heard of any of those songs. I really like Carrie Underwood steven Curtis chapman. And my temptations. Which would you reccommend?
All 3 are great artists. I like I Will Be Here by Steven Curtis Chapman. Carrie Underwood’s Don’t Forget To Remember Me would be good too.
Sounds great. Thanks for answering my questions
I want to have a father in law and daughter dance. What song would you recommend?
Hi Emily. It really depends on the style of music you like and the desired tempo. I have always liked Stand By Me, Family and I’ll Be There as Father-in-law and daughter songs.