At most weddings I play, the dad picks the father-daughter dance song. And dads can surprise you.
Three Dads I Won’t Forget
The dad who made his own song
One dad created a song with his daughter’s name as the title. He made it with AI. It was funny, and it was completely him.
The dad who played my guitar
Another dad picked the song and also plays guitar. On the wedding day, during my sound check, I let him play my guitar and sing. He was pretty good.
The dad who chose his own wedding song
One dad picked the song that played at his own wedding, I Swear. I played it on acoustic guitar for their dance.
That’s the best part of this dance. The right song is usually the one that means something to your dad.
When Is the Father Daughter Dance?
It comes after the first dance. At most weddings I play, the order goes like this:
- First dance
- Mother-son dance
- Father-daughter dance
Good Father Daughter Dance Songs
Modern
- Little Bird, Jonas Brothers (written about their daughters)
- Daughters, John Mayer
- Never Grow Up, Taylor Swift
- Father and Daughter, Paul Simon
- Cinderella, Steven Curtis Chapman
Classic
- My Girl, The Temptations
- Isn’t She Lovely, Stevie Wonder
- What a Wonderful World, Louis Armstrong
- Unforgettable, Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole (a real father and daughter duet)
- In My Life, The Beatles
- Forever Young, Rod Stewart
- I Swear, All-4-One
Looking for Frank Sinatra? The Way You Look Tonight and Young at Heart are classic father-daughter picks.
Country Father Daughter Dance Songs
- My Little Girl, Tim McGraw
- I Loved Her First, Heartland
- Butterfly Kisses, Bob Carlisle
- Daddy Dance with Me, Krystal Keith (sung by Toby Keith’s daughter)
- There Goes My Life, Kenny Chesney
- Humble and Kind, Tim McGraw
Parent Dances From My 2026 Weddings
Real picks from this year’s wedding plans, for the father-daughter dance and the mother-son dance.
- Dance With My Daughter by Jason Blaine, from a couple in their late 40s
- My Wish by Rascal Flatts, a mother-son dance this year, and on another couple’s key-moments list too
- Somewhere Over the Rainbow by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole, for a groom and his mom at Domaine Chandon
Want It Fun?
Some dads and daughters start slow, then switch to a dance song halfway through. I can mix it live so the switch lands right on the beat.
Planning a sweet 16 or a quinceañera? These songs work for those father-daughter dances too.
Live music for your wedding
Want your father-daughter dance played live?
I sing your special dances live, then keep the night going with a full DJ set. Weddings across the Bay Area, Napa and Monterey.
Explore wedding musicStill choosing your own song? See my first dance songs for your wedding and my Top 100 wedding songs list.
Imagine your father-daughter dance, performed live
Found the song for you and your dad? I can sing it live with vocals and guitar, a moment the whole room will feel rather than just hear.
Father Daughter Dance Questions
Who picks the father-daughter dance song?
Usually the dad. It’s his moment too. Some brides choose it with him, and some dads keep it a surprise until the wedding day.
Is the father-daughter dance before or after the first dance?
After. At most of my weddings, the couple has their first dance, then the mother-son dance, then the father-daughter dance.
Can my dad play or sing at the wedding?
Yes. If your dad plays music, tell me ahead of time and we’ll find the right moment for him.
Can you play a song you don’t know yet?
Yes. Send it to me early and I’ll learn it.
Have your date? Check my availability and tell me about your dad.
