Father/Daughter dances run the gamut from frisky foxtrots to wistful waltzes to sassy swings and really anything in between goes!
I remember one dad who was so incredibly in love with his little girl (she was the youngest daughter) he grew misty-eyed every time he took her in his arms for their waltz.
Another dad and daughter combo had such a rapport they were almost like soccer team buddies and their dance – of course, was a wild whippersnapping swing.
I like to council my father/daughter dynamic duos to choose a song that says to them both,
“This is our relationship and this is our idea of a great time!”
Some of my father/daughter couples aren’t able to make it in to see me together so I get a fair number of dads either singularly or with their spouses or significant others.
This is fun too and I’m sure the bride is totally surprised when her dad shows up knowing how to lead and has a few tricks in his bag to show her off with on the dance floor!
One dad I remember came in for five lessons with me before he flew out on the big bird for his daughter’s mega-wedding over seas. We worked on leading techniques and simple foxtrot steps that he could gently guide her through even if she had no idea of the footwork!
The whole point is to make dad feel confident and bride look radiant.
Another dad was an out-of-state fireman and he flew in and took lessons with his daughter right before the big day. What a joy it was to watch them catch up on news and fun repartee every time they got together for dancing lessons. Dad kept saying he had twelve left feet and daughter kept saying, well then, she was going to step on each one of them!
Here are some sample Father/Daughter song choices my couples have used for you to take a look at. Remember dad gets right of song refusal but the bride, I think somehow, will always win him over with her pretty smile and “that look” in her eyes he remembers oh-too-well.
“I Loved Her First” Heartland
“Sunrise, Sunset” Fiddler on the Roof
“Butterfly Kisses” Bob Carlisle
“Have I Told You Lately” Rod Stewart
“What A Wonderful World” Louis Armstrong
“Isn’t She Lovely” Stevie Wonder
“My Father’s Eyes” Amy Grant
“You’re My Hero” Teresa James
“My Girl” The Temptations