What Time Should I Start My Wedding

01

Van Morrison

“Tupelo Honey”

If you and your dad are feeling emotional, “Tupelo Honey” might be perfect. It’s slow and would be great for a serene dance with Dad. It’s an older, very raw-sounding song that’s sweet and a little sad. It also has a musical part in the middle that would be a great opportunity to end early or bring in a grandparent, mother, or other special person for the second half (which gets a little more musically robust). 

“She’s as sweet as tupelo honey
She’s an angel of the first degree
She’s as sweet, she’s as sweet as tupelo honey
Just like honey, baby, from the bee”

02

Hank Williams, Jr.

“Family Tradition”

This one is definitely a country classic that your dad already knows. It’s a little silly, so this is perfect for a rowdier crowd or a father daughter pair who likes to joke around. It’s fast but forgiving, so maybe choose this one if your dad is not the best dancer.

“Over and over
Everybody makes my prediction
So if I get stoned, I’m just carrying on
An old family tradition”

03

The Chicks

“Landslide”

I think that this is the most sentimental song ever written. It’s reflective, slow, and everyone knows it. This song is personal and a total early 2000s throwback that will get everyone tearing up. It’s slow and beautiful both in the music and the lyrics. 

“Well, I’ve been afraid of changin’
‘Cause I built my life around you
But time makes you bolder, children get older
I’m getting older too, well”

04

Waylon Jennings (feat. Willie Nelson)

“Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love)”

If your dad is a country music lover, this one will be a welcome suggestion. It’s not too heavy or sentimental, if that’s not your thing. It has a fun intro to the song, too, that could lead to a choreographed beginning of the dance. It’s slow, but has a strong beat to it. 

“I don’t need my name in the marquee lights
I got my song and I got you with me tonight
Maybe it’s time we got back to the basics of love
Let’s go to Luckenbach, Texas”

05

Lilly Hiatt

“Brightest Star”

This song is truly uplifting. It’s fast and has a lot of guitar, so it’s good for a high energy dance with Dad. It’s an encouraging song from one friend to another, and gives off less of a sad vibe than some other classic father daughter dance songs.

“You give ’em your best, you never get rest
But still they don’t know who you are
I just wanted to say on any given day
To me, you’re the brightest of stars”

06

Randy Newman

“You’ve Got a Friend in Me”

That’s right, it’s the song from Toy Story–but hear me out. Songs about friendship for the father daughter dance are kind of perfect. Maybe this doesn’t feel like a loss for your dad but instead is a real celebration, and he wants to communicate that he’s always there for you. I know this isn’t totally Country and I’m cheating a little here, but I promise this is adorable.

“There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you
We stick together and see it through
‘Cause you’ve got a friend in me”

07

Johnny Cash

“Ring of Fire”

Another Dad classic–need I say more? Fast, simple, everyone can sing along. For the silly bride and her goofy dad.  

“I fell into a burning ring of fire
I went down, down, down
And the flames went higher
And it burns, burns, burns”

08

Kacey Musgraves

“Happy & Sad”

I think there is no other artist that nails the melancholy vibe like Kacey Musgraves does. This so captures the feeling of being sad for the end of something but happy for the beginning of another chapter. It’s slow, so if you want a moment with your dad this is a great choice.

“Is there a word for the way that I’m feeling tonight?
Happy and sad at the same time
You got me smiling with tears in my eyes
I never felt so high”

09

Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton

“You Can’t Make Old Friends”

A sweet duet with Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers, this song is sentimental and captures the melancholy of the passing of time. It’s slow and tender, laying out a friendship between two people that seems truly special. If you and Dad are “old friends,” this might be perfect for you. 

“Can’t make old friends
It was you and me, since way back when
You can’t make old friends”

10

George Strait

“I Just Want To Dance With You”

Do you like to two-step? Consider this sweet song by George Strait. It has a catchy rhythm that you and Dad can two step around the floor to. Show your southern credentials and wow people with a simple dance that is easy to learn.

“I wanna dance with you
Twirl you all around the floor
That’s what they intended dancin’ for
I just wanna dance with you”