37 Combined Parent Wedding Dance Songs (Joint Reception) (2024)

FAQs

What is the parents dance at the wedding reception? ›

The parent's dance is a wedding event where, in tradition, the bride dances with her father and the groom dances with his mother. These dances are commonly called the father-daughter dance and the mother-son dance.

I Loved her First – The Heartland. Butterfly Kisses – Bob Carlisle. Cinderella – Steven Curtis Chapman. I Hope you Dance – Deanna Carter.

1. "Can't Help Falling In Love," by Elvis Presley. This song finally took the top spot from Ed Sheeran's "Perfect" most likely because of the recent Elvis-related films like "Elvis" starring Austin Butler and "Priscilla" starring Cailee Spaeny.

A few songs we love for this include: “My Wish” by Rascal Flatts, “I Hope You Dance” by Lee Ann Womack, “Lovely Day” by Bill Withers, “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” by Israel “IZ” Kamakawiwo'ole, “What A Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong, or “I'll Stand By You” by The Pretenders.

The groom may also dance with the mother of the bride. Next, the bride's mother and father dance together. The groom dances with his mother, and then the groom's parents dance together. The dance floor then opens up to the bridesmaids and groomsmen.

Traditionally, the groom picks the mother-son song for a wedding. This song should reflect the mother-son relationship, or be a song special to the pair. Of course, if your mother has a special song in mind, it's fine for her to choose, too! It is ultimately up to the two of you to decide.

The father-daughter dance or mother-son dance should be around 2 minutes long. Again, the key is to keep it short and sweet. Especially since the focal point of the reception should be the newlyweds, it is recommended that the parent dances to be shorter than the first dance of the bride and groom.

Whether or not divorced parents should dance together at a wedding is a highly personal decision, notes Angelini, that truly depends on the relationship between the parents.

What is the most played song at a wedding reception? ›

The list of top 30 wedding first dance songs for 2024 is a great starting point for couples who are looking for inspiration. Based on the search results, some of the most popular first dance songs for 2024 include “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran, “Can't Help Falling in Love” by Elvis Presley, and “At Last” by Etta James.

Immediately after the couple has had their first dance, it's time for the parents to join them. The bride will typically dance with her father and the groom typically dances with his mother.

My Wish by Rascal Flatts is one of the most famous mother groom dance songs in the genre – and for a good reason. Key lyrics: “My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to/Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small/You never need to carry more than you can hold.”

The mother/son dance represents the lasting love of a mother for her son and normally follows the father and daughter dance. This is a time of transition for mothers when their son has become a man and a husband.

In most cases, either the Wedding Co-Ordinator or the MC will discuss all formalities to be included with the Bride and Groom prior to the event. Some of them ask if they wish to include a Mother and Son/Groom Dance, others do not (only because it is not a common formality at most weddings.)

The mother/son dance represents the lasting love of a mother for her son and normally follows the father and daughter dance. This is a time of transition for mothers when their son has become a man and a husband.

Most commonly, the family dances will be a Father-Daughter dance and a Mother-Son dance, and these will typically take place immediately following your first dance. Depending on your family situation, you may or may not follow the traditional format.

Traditional Significance

It serves as a symbolic transition, signifying the daughter's journey from her father's care into the world of marriage. This poignant exchange marks the father's acknowledgment of his daughter's growth and his unwavering support as she embarks on this new chapter.