If you’re having a hard time finding the most beautiful father-daughter dance songs for your wedding, let me help you out. When the bride and her father share the dance floor on the wedding day, it can move everyone to tears. That’s why you need the perfect song that will forever be etched in everyone’s memories. That’s where this list comes in!
But first, let’s see why this famous tradition is so significant.
Significance of the Father-Daughter Dance
The bond between a father and daughter is arguably the strongest bond ever. When a father first sets his eyes on his daughter, he falls in love with her and is ready to do everything within his power to protect and provide for her. The daughter also reciprocates this love to her father early in life. She always wants to be close to him and desires his approval.
At her wedding, it becomes clear that the daughter is no longer the father’s little girl. And that realization comes with a lot of emotion.
There is joy and pride that comes from seeing a new home formed. There is uncertainty as to whether or not the home will be the one she desires. Then there is the pain of separation. For years they have been together, this is regardless of the fact that they now live apart or not. All of these emotions come to play during the dance.
So, to keep such an emotional tradition is only natural. To that end, here is a list of a couple of songs that will make the dance a truly unforgettable one.
Related: Beautiful mother son songs for your wedding
35 Traditional Father-Daughter Dance Songs
We all know that a wedding is not just about the married couple and their romance. It is also about those close to the bride and groom coming together, showering their blessings on the new couple, and creating beautiful moments and memories. One such lovely moment is the father-daughter dance that needs a beautiful song to set the mood. Let’s check out some of my favorites!
- “How Sweet it is“ – James Taylor
- “Sweet Child O’Mine” -Guns N’ Roses
- “Unforgettable” – Nat King Cole
- “When You Need Me” – Bruce Springsteen
- “Wind Beneath My Wings”– Bette Midler
- “Brown Eyed Girl” – Van Morrison
- “Dance Like Yo Daddy” – Meghan Trainor
- “Dream a Little Dream of Me”– Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong
- “Forever Young”– Rod Stewart
- “Here Comes the Sun” – The Beatles. Check more best Beatles first dance songs.
- “I’ll Be There For You” – the Rembrandts
- “Isn’t She Lovely” – Stevie Wonder
- “Let’s Go Crazy” – Prince
- “Misty” – Ella Fitzgerald
- “My Girl” – The Temptations
- “Nothing Can Change This Love” – Sam Cooke
- “She’s a Rainbow”– The Rolling Stones
- “A Song for My Daughter” – Ray Allaire
- “The Way You Look Tonight” – Frank Sinatra
- “The Way You Look Tonight” – Steve Tyrell
- “They Can’t Take That Away from Me Me” – Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong
- “You’re My Best Friend” – Queen
- “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” – Randy Newman
- “Father’s Eyes” – Amy Grant
- “Times Of Your Life” – Paul Anka
- “You are the Sunshine of my life” – Stevie Wonder
- “You are so beautiful” – Joe Cocker
- “Always Be Your Baby” – Natalie Grant
- “Dream” – Priscilla Ahn
- “Daddy’s Little Girl” – Michael Bublé
- “Forever”– The Beach Boys
- “One in a Million” – Larry Graham
- “She’s Leaving Home”– The Beatles
- “You’ve Got a Friend” – James Taylor
- “It Had to Be You” – Ray Charles
READ MORE: Sister and Brother Songs for the Wedding
41 Country Father Daughter Songs
There’s something special about country songs, right? If you are looking for a sweet song for the father-daughter dance, check out our suggestions of beautiful country songs that will set the mood for the father-daughter dance.
- “Don’t Blink”– Kenny Chesney
- “Never Grow Up” – Taylor Swift
- “My Wish” – Rascal Flatts
- “My Little Girl” – Tim McGraw
- “The Girl You Think I Am” – Carrie Underwood
- “I’ll be Your Man”– Zac Brown Band
- “Butterfly Fly Away” – Miley Cyrus and Billy Ray Cyrus
- “I Loved Her First” – Heartland
- “Just Fishin”– Trace Adkins
- “I Hope You Dance” – Lee Ann Womack
- “Butterfly Kisses” – Bob Carlisle
- “Wildflowers” – Tom Petty
- “Landslide”– Fleetwood Mac
- “Thank You” – Led Zeppelin
- “My Hero” – Foo Fighters
- “Father and Daughter”– Paul Simon
- “Tupelo Honey” – Van Morrison
- “Tiny Dancer” – Elton John
- “Lullaby” – Billy Joel
- “You Got It ” – Roy Orbison
- “My Darling” – Wilco
- “I’ll Stand By You” – The Pretenders
- “That’s How Strong My Love Is” – The Rolling Stones
- “Time After Time” – Cyndi Lauper
- “To Make You Feel My Love”– Bob Dylan
- “She’s Got a Way” – Billy Joel
- “Daughter” – Loudon Wainwright III
- “Cinderella” – Steven Curtis Chapman
- “It Won’t Be Like This For Long” – Darius Rucker
- “Stealing Cinderella” – Chuck Wicks
- “There Goes My Life” – Kenny Chesney
- “You’re Gonna Miss This” – Trace Adkins
- “Daddy Dance With Me” – Krystal Keith
- “A Father’s Love ” – Bucky Covington
- “You Can Let Go” – Crystal Shawanda
- “Ready, Set, Don’t Go” – Billy Ray Cyrus
- “I Hope You Dance” – Lee Ann Womack
- “Then They Do” – Trace Adkins
- “The Best Day”– Taylor Swift
- “Angels” – Randy Travis
- “When She Grows Up” – Craig Campbell
Related: Elvis Wedding Songs for Father-Daughter Dance
24 Short Father Daughter Wedding Songs
Not everyone feels at home on the dance floor. That’s when you need a short father-daughter wedding song that will not go on for too long, like these below.
- “God Only Knows”– The Beach Boys
- “Sweet Pea” – Amos Lee
- “Stairway to the Stars” – Ella Fitzgerald
- “What a Wonderful World” – Louis Armstrong
- “Ain’t That Love” – Ray Charles
- “Gracie” – Ben Folds
- “You Send Me” – Sam Cooke
- “Daddy” – Beyonce
- “One Call Away” – Charlie Puth
- “Strawberry Swing” – Coldplay
- “First Man” – Camila Cabello
- “Cecilia and the Satellite” – Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness
- “Let It Be Me” – Ray LaMontagne
- “I Lived”– OneRepublic
- “How Long Will I Love You” – Ellie Goulding
- “Moon River” – Frank Ocean
- “My Little Girl” Jack Johnson
- “Right By You” – John Legend
- “To Know Him is To Love Him” – Amy Winehouse
- “Hold My Girl” – George Ezra
- “Your Song” – Ellie Goulding
- “Home” – Michael Buble
- “Count on Me” – Bruno Mars
- “Daddy Lessons” – Beyoncé
CHECK: Best Wedding Reception Songs
5 Tips to Narrow Down Your Search for the Perfect Song
- The sensitivity of this dance requires the perfect song to set the tone. You have to be careful not to pick a piece that will leave you bowling out your eyes. Yes, there will likely be some tears with all the emotions at play. You, however, do not want this dance to turn the entire wedding party into a crying party.
- Another type of song you should avoid during the father-daughter dance is a loud and high-tempo song. Yes, a wedding party should be full of merriment and hype. The father-daughter dance moment is, however, a time for them to embrace their emotions and relive memories shared. A loud song will not be the right song for such a moment.
- The father-daughter dance is an essential part of the wedding. It is, however, not the only thing to be done at the wedding. There is usually a long list of things to do, and this is why you will need to keep the song short. Do not pick a piece that is too long. People will get bored, and it will just drag the wedding for too long. Moreover, the wedding is about the couple and not the father and daughter.
- Some fathers and daughters have a favorite song. Picking this song for the dance is an excellent idea. Having your favorite music played during the dance is a great way to let your emotions flow and have fond memories return. If you do not have a favorite song, a song by your favorite artist could also do.
- Finally, the song’s lyrics should make sense to both of you. It should have lyrics you both can relate to. Pick a song with lyrics that best describe your feelings at the moment.
Both of you should take out time to make a list of possible songs to use for the dance. You should then listen to the songs and pick out the song you feel will best suit your father and daughter dance.
FAQs about Father-Daughter Songs
Now you have a list of beautiful, heart-touching songs that will be the perfect track for the father-daughter dance at the wedding.
But do you still have questions? I put together the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about father-daughter dance songs, and we hope that these solutions will help you!
Who picks out the father-daughter song?
There’s no particular rule regarding who has to pick the father-daughter song. It can be a dedication of a daughter to the first man in her life to remind him how much he means to her. The song can also be chosen by the father to express his feelings for her.
How do you choose a father-daughter dance song?
There are many amazing songs that depict the pure and beautiful relationship between a father and his daughter. Such songs are ideal for the father-daughter dance at the wedding. If you do not want to browse every song, you can choose a song that’s special to you.
What does the father-daughter dance symbolize?
A father-daughter dance is a special part of a wedding ceremony. It is the moment when the bride and her father celebrate their relationship. For the father, it is the moment of pride and joy and for the daughter, it is when she expresses her love and gratitude for him.
How long is the father-daughter dance?
There’s no particular rule regarding the time of the father-daughter dance at a wedding. It usually lasts as long as the duration of the song, which is about 3-4 minutes. However, some people choose to have a shorter dance if the duration of the ceremony is short.
What is the best father-daughter wedding song dance?
The father-daughter dance at a wedding is one of the most beautiful moments at a wedding ceremony. To make it even more special and memorable, you need a beautiful song like “Butterfly Fly Away” (Miley Cyrus and Billy Ray Cyrus) or “I’ll Stand By You” (The Pretenders).
Is the father-daughter dance before the first dance?
Usually, the father-daughter dance is set after the first dance that the newlywed couple has. But there’s no hard and fast rule regarding this and you can schedule it at any time. You can also have it after the toasts are done and before the couple cuts the cake.
What are some of the best father-daughter dance songs from movies?
A father-daughter dance song should express the special relationship that the two share. It can depict their love and friendship. The best ones include “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” (Toy Story), “Learn Me Right” (Brave), “Remember Me This Way” (Casper), etc.
Final Words
The wedding day brings a mix of emotions for every bride – and her father. On one hand, they are both happy and hopeful about the possibilities that the bride’s future holds. On the other hand, they can’t forget that they are getting separated and that makes their hearts heavy.
However, a beautiful father-daughter dance with the ideal song can remind them of their special bond that will never change.
What are your favorite father daughter dance songs? Please share with us below!
Andreea is a very passionate content creator and her purpose is to provide you with the most interesting articles, while constantly discovering new facts. She’s been freelance writing for the past five years and has created numerous articles and educational materials while managing her own blog.