Brian Virts Photography

Photos by Brian Virts Photography

For many brides and grooms, one of the most meaningful moments at their wedding reception is the dance with their mom or dad. It can be full of meaning and tears or laughter and fun. No matter what, it’s an important tradition at many weddings, so we asked our readers and Facebook fans to share with us their favorite memories from their dance with their mom or dad.

My father died in 2005, so I danced with my mom at my wedding. It started with “Because You Loved Me,” by Celine Dion and then it transitioned into “She Bangs,: by William Hung. (You know, the horrible version that was his audition on “American Idol”). “She Bangs” was my dad’s favorite song, so I kept it a secret and when the music changed at first my mom wasn’t sure what was going on, but once she recognized the song she had a blast dancing to it. And it was a fun (and uplifting) way to keep my father in my day. – Katelyn Keegan

We danced to a “Sound of Music” classic, “Edelweiss,” with my dad. We sang the whole time! It’s our favorite family movie!
 

‪- Lara Knepper‪

My husband and I ended up running away to Lake Tahoe and got married… I would have done “My Girl,” by The Temptations; my dad used to sing that to me all the time.
 
- ‪Sharon Wresche Brent‪

I surprised my dad by picking one of his favorite John Prine songs, “It’s a Big Old Goofy World.” I have been getting him tickets to see John every year for Fathers’ Day for a long time. 

– ‪Jessica Latos‪



For many years when I was younger, my dad would rock me to sleep singing “Sweet Baby James,” by James Taylor. I surprised him at our wedding by playing that song for our father/daughter dance… it was a really happy, emotional moment. That song has always been special to me because of the memories from my childhood, and now even more so.‪ -Briana McPherson‪

I made a playlist and put it on a thumb drive to send to my dad so he can pick out the song (you know…pre-approved from my list…) for us to dance to.
 

– ‪Rebecca Jo Dick‪

My dad and I danced to his favorite song, “What a Wonderful World.” In my head, for months and months, I had this idea we’d both be crying and emotional.‬ ‪But when it started my dad said to me, “Hey, last time I heard this song was at a funeral!” and I laughed and then we just chatted the rest of the song while we danced. It’s funny how we can plan our weddings all we want, but you just never know how things will pan out! 

- ‪Mary Kate Battles‪