A combined parents’ dance happens during a wedding reception. The father-daughter dance and the mother-son dance are combined into one song playing while the dance occurs. This is a great way to save time by combining two formal dances into one.

Quick Tips

When picking out the song for a combined parent dance, you must consider the following 3 factors:

1. Does the song have a special meaning to both the couple and parents?
2. What is the tempo of the song (fast or slow) to determine the mood for the moment?
3. Does the song’s genre and meaning match the music tastes of both parents and couple?

As an experienced wedding DJ, I’ve assembled a list of songs for couples to dance with their parents at the reception. Songs are selected by the meaning of the song and popular hits by today’s couples.

Songs By Theme

Loving A Child

These are songs that are from the parents’ perspective of loving their children on their wedding day.

Greatest Love Of All – Whitney Houston
Remember You Young – Thomas Rhett
Sunrise, Sunset – Cast from Fiddler on the Roof
Sweet Child O’ Mine – Sheryl Crow
Tupelo Honey – Van Morrison
You Are The Sunshine Of My Life – Stevie Wonder
You’ll Be In My Heart – Phil Collins

Loving Parents

A list of songs from the wedding coulple’s perspective of loving their parents on their big day.

God Only Knows – Kina Grannix, Imaginery Future
Hero – Mariah Carey
In Case You Don’t Live Forever – Ben Platt
Not All Heroes Wear Capes – Owl City
Parent Song – Jeremy Zucker, Chelsea Cutler
The Best Day (Taylor’s Version) – Taylor Swift
The House That Built Me – Miranda Lambert
Unsung Hero – for KING & COUNTRY

Fun & Upbeat

If the wedding couple and their parents have fun personalities and want to have a fun moment for their dance, check these out! They fit the theme too.

93 Million Miles – Jason Mraz
Ain’t That Love – Ray Charles
Count On Me – Bruno Mars
Dancing In The Moonlight – Toploader
Family Affair – Mary J. Blige
How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) – Marvin Gaye
I Got You (I Feel Good) – James Brown
I’ll Be Around – The Spinners
Let It Go – Demi Lovato
Lovely Day – Bill Withers
On Me – Thomas Rhett, Kane Brown, Ava Max
Parents Just Don’t Understand – Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince
Three Little Birds – Bob Marley

Feeling of Gratitude

The wedding day is also a special day for parents as it marks a new beginning in their child’s life journey. These songs are about being thanful.

Blessed – Elton John
In My Life – The Beatles
True Colors – Cyndi Lauper
Unforgettable – Nat King Cole, Natalie Cole

Every Type of Relationship

No matter if you are not a family that shoes a lot of emotion, are really close, or don’t show much loving gestures, these songs are for every type of parent-child relationship.

Constellations – Jack Johnson
If You Love Her – Forest Blakk
Next Thing You Know – Jordan Davis
Somewhere Over The Rainbow – Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
Teach Your Children – Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
The Good Ones – Gabby Barrett
What A Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong
You Are My Sunshine – Zach Bryan

Wishing the Couple Well

Here is a list of songs from the perspective of the parents wishing their children a good life full of love and joy.

Find Your Wings – Mark Harris
Forever Young – Andrea von Kampen
Forever Young – Rod Stewart
I Hope You Dance – Lee Ann Womack
Little Wonders – Rob Thomas
My Wish – Rascal Flatts

Always Being There

If you are looking for a song to let each other know that you will always be there through thick and thin, these are great selections.

I’ll Be There – Jackson 5
I’ll Stand By You – The Pretenders
Never Alone – Jim Brickman, Lady A
One Call Away – Charlie Puth
Stand By Me – Ben E. King
There You’ll Be – Faith Hill
You’ve Got A Freind – James Taylor

Enjoy Life

These songs will make parents and their children smile at the same time as they remind the wedding couple to live life to the fullest as a message from their parents.

Humble and Kind – Tim McGraw
Kind & Generous – Nalie Merchant
Most People Are Good – Luke Bryan
Shower the People – James Taylor
Slow Down – Nichole Nordeman
Smile – Nat King Cole
The Greatest Day Of My Life – Zach Bryan
You’re Gonna Miss This – Trace Adkins

Do you have a favorite parents’ dance song? Please share it in the comments!

Other Playlists To Check Out: