It's a time for the father to share a dance with his daughter, and also a time for guests to witness the special bond between them. The father-daughter dance can be a tender moment captured by the rhythm of emotional songs, or it can be lighthearted and modern with the help of a fun song. Either way, it's a cherished tradition that will surely be remembered by all.
When Did The Father-Daughter Wedding Dance Tradition Start?
The father-daughter wedding dance has a long history. While no one knows for sure when the first wedding father-daughter dance took place, some believe this special moment, seen today as a symbol of love and affection, has its roots in marriages arranged by parents.
In days gone by, the father-daughter wedding dance was seen as one of the most important wedding traditions. It was a way for the father to give away his daughter to her new husband, and also a way of sealing the deal on the marriage itself.
The father-daughter dance started to gain more popularity in the early 20th century, and it is now a moment often planned for weeks if not months before the wedding day.
The Best Dance Styles For The Father-Daughter Wedding Dance
You can choose from numerous types of father-daughter dances for this special moment while the song choice is overwhelming. There is no universal perfect father-daughter dance song as the musical world is infinite and everyone has their favorite tunes. You can dance to songs by Louis Armstrong and Bette Midler just as well as you can plan a routine to the latest hits by Taylor Swift or Miley Cyrus.
However, some of the best choices include the waltz, the foxtrot, and the cha-cha. The waltz is a classic choice for a father-daughter dance. This stately dance is perfect for fathers and daughters who want to enjoy an emotional moment together while listening to a classic song.
On the other hand, the foxtrot is perfect for fathers and daughters who want to share a laugh while dancing. Or you can always go with the cha-cha for a fun, energetic moment that invites the wedding party to let loose and have a good time.
There are no rules when it comes to father-daughter dances. Fathers and daughters can choose any style of music and lyrics they think work best for them. If you want to take the moment to the next level for your father-daughter duo moment, you can always take some dance lessons first. A professional dance instructor can help you make the perfect choice for your wedding day.
A father-daughter wedding dance is a moment that gravitates around the love between a father and a daughter. What better way to capture it than with a special song for both of them?
A meaningful tune is all it takes to create an unforgettable moment. Choose a song and a dance style both you and your father will enjoy, and you will certainly cherish this moment for years to come.
One of the keys to a joyful and memorable father-daughter dance is to feel confident and capable while dancing. Regardless of the style, a moment with so much significance, typically filmed by the wedding videographer as well as the guests, carries a bit of pressure to happen flawlessly. Taking dance lessons is an incredible way to make sure that moment is one everyone remembers fondly. Not only will you be more confident in your dance moves, but having taken lessons and practiced, the movements will become second nature and you can truly focus on the moment and appreciate the this once in a lifetime dance for everything it’s meant to be.
Choosing The Best Songs For The Father-Daughter Wedding Dance
There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to choosing an emotional father-daughter wedding dance song. However, many fathers and daughters prefer to dance to slow songs to illustrate the father's love for his daughter. Some popular slow father-daughter dance songs include "My Girl" by The Temptations, "Unforgettable" by Nat King Cole, "She's Got a Way" by Billy Joel, "Isn't She Lovely" by Stevie Wonder, and "The Way You Look Tonight" by Frank Sinatra.
Of course, not all father and daughter pairs want to share a slow, sentimental dance. Some may prefer modern father-daughter dance songs. And that's perfectly fine! If you and your father are looking for an entertaining father-daughter dance, you can choose any song you both enjoy to create a sweet moment. Some popular upbeat father-daughter dance songs include "I Saw Her Standing There" by The Beatles, "Can't Stop the Feeling!" by Justin Timberlake, and "We're All in This Together" from the High School Musical soundtrack.
Again, there are no wrong choices when it comes to father-daughter wedding dance songs. The most important thing is to create a memorable moment and have a great time together. You can even choose a rock song if you're both big fans of the style. Bruce Springsteen certainly won't mind!
The father-daughter wedding dance is a cherished tradition that has been around for centuries. This special moment is all about the love between a father and his daughter and beautiful songs. Choose a timeless classic, a sweet tune, or a fun beat you both enjoy, and you'll cherish this moment for years to come.
Popular Songs For The Father-Daughter Dance
When choosing a lovely song for the father-daughter dance, the list of songs is endless. It can be a heartfelt song meaningful for the dancing couple, or any sweet song that takes them back to lovely times.
If you prefer to dance the waltz for the father-daughter dance, a sentimental song or a beautiful love song will do perfectly:
"Daddy's Little Girl" by Al Martino
"Butterfly Kisses" by Bob Carlisle
"A Thousand Years" by Christina Perri
"I Loved Her First" by Heartland
"A Song for My Daughter" by Ray Allaire
"My Little Girl" by Tim McGraw
"Can You Feel the Love Tonight?" by Elton John
"My Girl" by The Temptations
"The Way You Look Tonight" by Frank Sinatra
"Daddy's Angel" by T-Pain
"In My Life" by The Beatles
"My Wish" by Rascal Flatts
"Edelweiss" from The Sound of Music
"Nothing Can Change This Love" by Sam Cooke
"The Way You Look Tonight" from Swing Time
"Isn't It Romantic?" from Love Me Tonight
"Thanks for the Memory" from The Big Broadcast of 1938
Now, if you're determined to wow the audience and have your father dance the foxtrot, you are in luck! The musical universe abounds in fun foxtrot tunes, such as:
"Cheek to Cheek" from Top Hat
"Puttin' On the Ritz" from Puttin' On the Ritz
"I Won't Dance" from Roberta
"Steppin' Out With My Baby" from Easter Parade
"Too Darn Hot" from Kiss Me, Kate
"Begin the Beguine" from Jubilee
"Anything Goes" from Anything Goes
"They Can't Take That Away From Me" from Shall We Dance?
"I'm Gonna Sit Right Down (And Write Myself a Letter)" by Fats Waller
"Change Partners" from Carefree
"Nice Work If You Can Get It" from A Damsel in Distress
"I'm Putting All My Eggs In One Basket" from Follow the Fleet
"We're In The Money (The Depression Song)" from 42nd Street
And for all you father-daughter pairs who want to get down and dirty on the dance floor with the cha-cha, we've got just the songs for you:
"Havana" by Camila Cabello
"Hot Hot Hot" by Buster Poindexter
"I Like It Like That" by Cardi B
"Rhythm is Gonna Get You" by Gloria Estefan
"Baila Baila Baila" by Ozuna
"Suavamente" by Elvis Crespo
"Mambo No. 5 (A Little Bit of...)" by Lou Bega
"Conga" by Gloria Estefan
"Macarena" by Los Del Rio
"Gasolina" by Daddy Yankee
"La Bamba" by Ritchie Valens
"Cupid Shuffle" by Cupid
"The Electric Slide" by Marcia Griffiths
"The Cha Cha Slide" by DJ Casper
If you're planning to freestyle your way into the most memorable father-daughter special dance, you can't go wrong with one of these evergreen songs:
"Girls Just Want to Have Fun" by Cyndi Lauper
"Footloose" by Kenny Loggins
"I'm So Excited" by The Pointer Sisters
"Celebration" by Kool & The Gang
"The Hustle" by Van McCoy
"We Are Family" by Sister Sledge
"Last Dance" by Donna Summer
"I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor
"Can't Stop the Feeling!" by Justin Timberlake
"Happy" by Pharrell Williams
"All I Wanna Do" by Sheryl Crow
"Walking on Sunshine" by Katrina & The Waves
This is just a small sampling of the hundreds of songs out there that would be perfect for a father-daughter wedding dance. Talk to your father, look through old family photo albums, and listen to all kinds of music to get inspired and find the perfect song for your father-daughter dance.
Take some lessons so you can prepare and spend some extra time bonding. And most importantly, have fun! This is a moment you'll both remember for the rest of your lives.
