Wedding Songs: 30 Perfect Tunes for Parent Dances

Trying to come up with the perfect song to dance to with Dad or Mom? Start by deciding if you want a beautiful slow ballad or also want a song with meaningful lyrics. (Warning: If you choose a tear-jerker, plan the dance for later on in the reception, when the party is beginning to wind down and most of the pictures have already been taken!)

Below is a list of popular songs for these special dances. We recommend reading through the whole list for ideas -- some songs work for a father-daughter or mother-son dance. Or, you may want to choose one song and have both dances at the same time.

Mother/Son Dance

• "Blessed" (Elton John)
• "Can I Have This Dance" (Anne Murray)
• "Close to You" (The Carpenters)
• "Have I Told You Lately" (Rod Stewart or Van Morrison)
• "Loves Me Like a Rock" (Paul Simon)
• "I Can See Clearly Now" (Johnny Nash)
• "I Wish You Love" (Gloria Lynne)
• "In My Life" (The Beatles)
• "Stand by Me" (Ben E. King)
• "Through the Years" (Kenny Rogers)
• "Unforgettable" (Nat King Cole/Natalie Cole)
• "What a Wonderful World" (Louis Armstrong)
• "You Are the Sunshine of My Life" (Stevie Wonder)

Father/Daughter Dance

• "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" (Elton John)
• "Daddy's Little Girl" (Al Martino)
• "Daddy's Hands" (Holly Dunn)
• "If I Could" (Ray Charles)
• "Isn't She Lovely" (Stevie Wonder)
• "Lean on Me" (Bill Withers)
• "Lullaby" (Billy Joel)
• "My Funny Valentine" (Carly Simon)
• "My Girl" (The Temptations)
• "She's Leaving Home" (The Beatles)
• "Sunrise, Sunset" (from Fiddler on the Roof)
• "Thank Heaven for Little Girls" (Merle Haggard)
• "The Way You Look Tonight" (Frank Sinatra)
• "Times of Your Life" (Paul Anka)
• "Turn Around" (Harry Belafonte)
• "You Are So Beautiful to Me" (Joe Cocker)
• "Whenever I See Your Smiling Face" (James Taylor)

-- Cindy Hobson

See More: Basics for Moms , Music + Dancing