Parents’ dance wedding songs are as important as the couple’s first dance. This is the time when parents show their joy at the fact that their kids are married. For this moment, you need the best songs for parents to dance to at the wedding to tide them through.
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The songs must do two things, which are giving them a good time while expressing their feelings in real-time. To help you with a head start, we’ve helped curate parents’ songs into categories.
Wedding Dance Order
Couples can choose to go traditional or modern which in turn models the top wedding songs. But regardless of dance order, there are exceptions. This is the situation of a disabled or deceased parent. In this case, the dance order is tweaked to suit. See samples for both traditional and modern dance orders.
- Traditional
After the reception entrance, the couple has the first dance. This is followed by the father-daughter dance, then the groom steps dance with his mother-in-law.
The bride’s parents dance next, and then the mother-son dance happens followed by the groom’s parents. The best man and groomsmen dance with the bride, the groom and bridesmaids dance and the guests wrap it up.
- Modern
There’s no particular order here. The couple may dance to wedding music with a rehearsed routine. The bride could stage a surprise dance with bridesmaids or the whole wedding party and the couple does a stage dance.
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Combined Parent Wedding Dance Songs
The bride and groom remain the center of attention. But it’s important you acknowledge the parents who gave you the best part of their lives to see you happy. At some point, all the parents will dance together. And you need the best-combined parents’ wedding dance songs for the moment.
Balance is important here. Pick out songs that you love, that sends your message but appeals to the parents too. You could involve them in the selection process, but keep the involvement to their part of the playlist. Go for classics, soft oldies with depth and meaning. They will love it.
- Simple Man – by Lynyrd Skynyrd
- Kind and Generous – by Natalie Merchant
- A Song For Mama – by Boyz II Men
- Sweet Pea – by Amos Lee
- Teach Your Children – by Crosby, Stills, and Nash
- Daughter – by Loudon Wainwright III
- Sweet Child o’ Mine – by Luna
- Landslide – by Fleetwood Mac
- Father and Daughter – by Paul Simon
- My Darling – by Wilco
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Father And Mother-In-Law Dance Songs
Wedding songs for parents must be generally mild and mellow unless you’ve studied them and they love the energy. In the face of father and mother-in-law, these are two people coming from different backgrounds to form a family. They will have their differing tastes in music. Hence, you may either study them to know their likes.
Then curate specific wedding reception music that will play halfway for both of them. Mixed songs by the DJ is best for this part. That way, both parents get something that works for them. Be sure to avoid lyrics that offend their sensibilities.
- Loves Me Like a Rock – by Paul Simon
- Tupelo Honey – by Van Morrison
- Gravity – by John Mayer
- More Than a Feeling – by Boston
- Did You Know – by BeBe Winans
- I Turn to You – by Christina Aguilera
- Always Be Your Baby – by Natalie Grant
- Walk With You – by Edwin McCain
- The Most Beautiful Girl in the World – by Prince
- Gracie – by Ben Folds
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Timeless Songs For Parents Dance At A Wedding
A lot of the parents are coming from the 60s, 70s, and 80s. They may likely not vibe to the new school music we so much love. Even some of us are oldies at heart. Again, you can’t spring up Hip Hop or rap on a parent’s dance song playlist.
Bottom line is to put together parent’s dance songs for the wedding that are popular but never dies. Songs that parents across all generations know, but haven’t undergone so much recycling. Spread songs across many genres, rhythm, lyrics and see its effect on the parents. Everyone loves timeless music.
- In My Life – by The Beatles
- Wind Beneath My Wings – by Bette Midler
- Forever Young – by Rod Stewart
- Isn’t She Lovely – by Stevie Wonder
- My Girl – by The Temptations
- My Wish by Rascal Flatts
- Do I Make You Proud – by Taylor Hicks
- God Only Knows – by John Legend
- Daughters – by John Mayer
- Dancing Queen – by ABBA
Parents’ dance wedding songs are only as interesting as you make them. They don’t have to be boring because they’re parents’ wedding songs. Work together with them to know the kind of songs they’d love to hear at your wedding. Go across a variety of genres and rhythms and the parents will have a swell time.
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