37 Emotional Father-Daughter Dance Songs for Your Wedding (2024)

Marriage doesn't change the fact that you'll always be Dad's little girl. That's probably why father-daughter dances are so emotional—they're a tribute to the man who raised you into the married woman you are today, but who still sees you exactly as you were when you were small. It's no surprise, then, that the song you and your father decide to dance to is beyond special. Whether it's a tune he used to sing you sleep or simply a melody that reminds you of your bond, the music should hold weight and meaning for both of you.

We've seen a lot of emotional father-daughter dances in our day, which is why we've rounded up the very best from beautiful real weddings to inspire your own. Ready for the ultimate father-daughter dance playlist? Scroll through to check out all the options for yourself.

01of 37

"Lean on Me"

37 Emotional Father-Daughter Dance Songs for Your Wedding (1)

This bride and her father danced to "Lean on Me" by Bill Withers a cappella.

02of 37

"Your Joy"

37 Emotional Father-Daughter Dance Songs for Your Wedding (2)

"Your Joy" by Chrisette Michele played during the pair's father-daughter dance.

03of 37

"What a Wonderful World"

37 Emotional Father-Daughter Dance Songs for Your Wedding (3)

Louis Armstrong's "What a Wonderful World" rang through the speakers as this father-daughter duo danced.

04of 37

"Forever Young"

37 Emotional Father-Daughter Dance Songs for Your Wedding (4)

At her Palm Beach, Florida, wedding, Cat and her father swayed to Rod Stewart's "Forever Young." The words, "But whatever road you choose, I'm right behind you win or lose," make this song particularly salient for the close-knit duo.

05of 37

"Just the Way You Are"

37 Emotional Father-Daughter Dance Songs for Your Wedding (5)

The bride and her stepfather danced to "Just the Way You Are" by Billy Joel.

06of 37

"Aint No Sunshine" and "You're the First, the Last, My Everything"

37 Emotional Father-Daughter Dance Songs for Your Wedding (6)

The bride and her father chose two songs to dance to for their time on the dance floor together, and neither disappointed.

07of 37

"Lullabye"

37 Emotional Father-Daughter Dance Songs for Your Wedding (7)

This bride and her father chose Billy Joel's "Lullabye," a heartwarming and meaningful tune, for their special dance.

08of 37

"I'll Always Be Your Baby"

37 Emotional Father-Daughter Dance Songs for Your Wedding (8)

Natalie Grant's "I'll Always Be Your Baby" perfectly summed up the bond between the bride and her father.

09of 37

"You're Nobody Til Somebody Loves You"

37 Emotional Father-Daughter Dance Songs for Your Wedding (9)

The bride and her father shared a sweet moment while swaying to Dean Martin's version of "You're Nobody Til Somebody Loves You."

"Brown Eyed Girl" and "You Can Call Me Al"

37 Emotional Father-Daughter Dance Songs for Your Wedding (10)

This duo made sure to dance to all of the bride's childhood favorites, including Van Morrison's "Brown Eyed Girl" and Paul Simon's "You Can Call Me Al," before her mom and sister joined in for a family favorite—"The Twist" by Chubby Checker and the Fat Boys.

11of 37

"You Are My Sunshine"

37 Emotional Father-Daughter Dance Songs for Your Wedding (11)

The pair swayed to "You Are My Sunshine," something he used to sing to her when she was small.

12of 37

"Father and Daughter"

37 Emotional Father-Daughter Dance Songs for Your Wedding (12)

This father-daughter duo had a blast on the dance floor to the tune of this Paul Simon classic.

13of 37

"My First, My Last, My Everything"

37 Emotional Father-Daughter Dance Songs for Your Wedding (13)

As a dancer, it was only fitting that the bride choreographed her and her dad's dance. They wowed guests with an upbeat routine to Barry White's "My First, My Last, My Everything."

14of 37

"The Time of My Life"

37 Emotional Father-Daughter Dance Songs for Your Wedding (14)

The bride and her dad danced to "The Time of My Life" by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes—an homage to one of the bride's oldest memories. "One of my first childhood memories was watching Dirty Dancing with my dad the night my younger sister was born," she said. "It has always been one of our favorite family songs. My sister also used it for her first dance, and we both ended our receptions with it as well."

15of 37

"It Won't Be Like This for Long"

37 Emotional Father-Daughter Dance Songs for Your Wedding (15)

Darius Rucker's "It Won't Be Like This for Long," a song all about enjoying a moment while it lasts, played while the bride and her father shared a special moment on the dance floor.

16of 37

"I Hope You Dance"

37 Emotional Father-Daughter Dance Songs for Your Wedding (16)

"My Dad surprised me with the song and made a little speech before it played, saying to listen to the lyrics because it really embodied his hopes for me—what any dad hopes for their daughter," the bride said. She and her father took a spin to "I Hope You Dance" by Lee Ann Womak.

17of 37

"What a Wonderful Life"

37 Emotional Father-Daughter Dance Songs for Your Wedding (17)

This couple opted to do their parent-child dances together. The group took to the dance floor to the tune of Elvis Presley's "What a Wonderful Life."

18of 37

"Wind Beneath My Wings"

37 Emotional Father-Daughter Dance Songs for Your Wedding (18)

Dancing with her father to Gladys Knight's "Wind Beaneath My Wings" was an emotional moment for this bride.

19of 37

"Thank Heaven for Little Girls"

37 Emotional Father-Daughter Dance Songs for Your Wedding (19)

Grinning from ear to ear, dad held his daughter close as they swayed to "Thank Heaven for Little Girls" by Maurice Chevalier.

"Make You Feel My Love"

37 Emotional Father-Daughter Dance Songs for Your Wedding (20)

Adele's remake of Bob Marley's "Make You Feel My Love" brought an emotional touch to the bride and her father's dance.

21of 37

"Ain't That Love"

37 Emotional Father-Daughter Dance Songs for Your Wedding (21)

"During the father-daughter dance, I almost tripped on my dress, but my dad made it look like a dip," recalls the bride of her father's swift moves as they swayed to the Ray Charles tune.

22of 37

"Lovely Day"

37 Emotional Father-Daughter Dance Songs for Your Wedding (22)

The bride and groom made it a combination father-daughter and mother-son dance, when they joined their father and mother, respectively, for this song by Bill Withers.

23of 37

"My Wish"

37 Emotional Father-Daughter Dance Songs for Your Wedding (23)

While dancing to this Rascal Flats melody, the bride and her father "both got a bit teary, and he tried to show off his dance moves," she recalls.

24of 37

"Lover's Concerto"

37 Emotional Father-Daughter Dance Songs for Your Wedding (24)

Sharing the dance floor with the groom and his mother, this bride and her father opted for the tune by The Toys.

25of 37

"In My Life"

37 Emotional Father-Daughter Dance Songs for Your Wedding (25)

The bride and her dad twirled to "In My Life" by The Beatles. "My mom cried the whole time we were dancing," she said.

26of 37

"It's All in the Game"

37 Emotional Father-Daughter Dance Songs for Your Wedding (26)

For their father–daughter dance, this bride and father of the bride chose "It's All in the Game," by Tommy Edwards.

27of 37

"Come Fly With Me"

37 Emotional Father-Daughter Dance Songs for Your Wedding (27)

When the bride was younger, her father gave her a shirt that read "Daddy's Little Co-Pilot." As a nod to that memory, the two danced to Frank Sinatra's "Come Fly With Me."

28of 37

"My Girl"

37 Emotional Father-Daughter Dance Songs for Your Wedding (28)

This bride's father took his daughter's hand for a dance set to The Temptations classic.

29of 37

"Isn't She Lovely"

37 Emotional Father-Daughter Dance Songs for Your Wedding (29)

For their big number, the bride and her dad chose Stevie Wonder's "Isn't She Lovely."

30of 37

"Stairway to the Stars"

37 Emotional Father-Daughter Dance Songs for Your Wedding (30)

For the bride and her dad's dance, this song was a natural choice—he'd taught her to dance to the tune when she was six. "Anytime we hear the Ella Fitzgerald version, we dance to it. We've had a lot of practice over the years," she says.

31of 37

"The Way You Look Tonight"

37 Emotional Father-Daughter Dance Songs for Your Wedding (31)

A 12-piece band played Frank Sinatra's "The Way You Look Tonight" to accompany this father-daughter dance.

32of 37

"God Only Knows"

37 Emotional Father-Daughter Dance Songs for Your Wedding (32)

The bride and her father danced to this classic by The Beach Boys.

33of 37

"Fish on the Sand"

37 Emotional Father-Daughter Dance Songs for Your Wedding (33)

"Their dance was an incredible display of unfiltered joy," said the groom of his wife's spin to George Harrison's "Fish on the Sand" with her father.

34of 37

"Butterfly Kisses"

37 Emotional Father-Daughter Dance Songs for Your Wedding (34)

The bride's grandfather, whom she calls Papa, danced with her to "Butterfly Kisses" by Bob Carlisle during the reception. The song choice was easy and obvious; he would often play the track in his truck's tape player when he picked her up from the bus stop after school. "I remember him telling me we'd dance to it at my wedding one day, and we did," she says.

35of 37

"Try a Little Tenderness"

37 Emotional Father-Daughter Dance Songs for Your Wedding (35)

After the first dance, this couple enjoyed a sweet father-daughter, mother-son spin to "Try a Little Tenderness," sung by the groom's good friend Jimmy Delgadillo.

36of 37

"You Bring Me Joy"

37 Emotional Father-Daughter Dance Songs for Your Wedding (36)

The bride grew up dancing on her dad's feet to Anita Baker, so they chose her song "You Bring Me Joy" for their spin on the dance floor.

37of 37

"When You're Smiling"

37 Emotional Father-Daughter Dance Songs for Your Wedding (37)

The bride and her dad swayed to "When You're Smiling," by Louis Armstrong.