Best Parent Dance Wedding Songs: Honouring Your Loved Ones

Parent dances—such as the father-daughter and mother-son dances—are a beautiful tradition that highlights the special bond between a bride or groom and the parent who has helped guide them through life. These dances are a meaningful way to express gratitude to the parent or parental figure who has played a significant role in their upbringing.

While parent dances are still a popular tradition at weddings, we’re often asked about the best place to schedule them in the evening timeline. The most common order is as follows: the couple’s first dance, followed by the father-daughter dance, and then the mother-son dance, which typically signals the start of the dance floor festivities. However, some couples prefer to kick off the dancing right after their first dance, so in those cases, we often schedule the parent dances during dinner, right after the respective parent's toast.

Regardless of where you choose to place these dances in your timeline, one thing remains constant: the song choice matters. The song you pick for your parent dance sets the tone and adds to the emotional impact of the moment. Whether it’s a classic, a heartfelt ballad, or something more personal, the right song can make the dance unforgettable for you both! We hope you find this playlist helpful!

You can also check out our playlists for First Dance Songs and Wedding Ceremony Songs here!

THE ULTIMATE LIST OF SONGS FOR PARENT DANCES

“Wildflowers” by Tom Petty

"My Girl" by the Temptations

"Humble and Kind" by Tim McGraw

“All You Need is Love” by The Beatles

“Isn’t She Lovely” Stevie Wonder

"Unforgettable" by Natalie Cole & Nat King Cole

“Your Song” by Elton John

“Your Song” by Ellie Goulding

"Landslide" by Fleetwood Mac

“What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong

“Best Parts of Me" by Will Dempsey 

“This Dance" by Scott Thomas Laughridge

"The Way You Look Tonight" by Harry Connick Jr.

“Two Steps Behind (Acoustic Version)" by Def Leppard

"I Don't Dance" by Lee Brice 

”Forever Now" by Michael Bublé

“God Only Knows” by The Beach Boys

“You’ll Be In My Heart” by Phil Collins

“Her Little Man” by Jami Grooms

“Close to You (They Long to Be)” by The Carpenters

"My Wish" by Rascal Flatts

"I Hope You Dance" by Leann Womack

“Because You Loved Me” by Celine Dion

"Forever Young" by Rod Stewart

"Butterfly Kisses" by Bob Carlisle 

"To Sir With Love" by LuLu

"Stand By Me" by Otis Redding

"My Little Girl" by Tim McGraw

“Protector” by Beyoncé