No Dad -

[Heather]

Hi Craig,

I hope this isn't too forward, but I wanted to share with you something you may want to start off with by way of helping some of the girls and future members. (I'm already married.)

One of the biggest questions we have is about the Father/Daughter dance. A lot of the women don't have their father in their life and are not sure what to do during the reception with regard to the dance - especially if their fiance wants a Mother/Son dance. I danced with my big brother which was great.

Can you share some of the scenerios you've experienced with this aspect of a reception? It may give some of the girls ideas who don't have Fathers or Big Brothers.

Thanks, and welcome again!

[DJ Craig]

Great question Heather and thank you.

As in your case, I've had brides dance with their brothers in place of a traditional father/daughter dance.

Some brides have chosen to honor others who have had a positive impact in their lives such as their sons, grandfathers, uncles and I can recall one specific instance where a bride danced with her mother! I think the bride has the right to chose anyone she likes as a surrogate for this protocol dance.

I've had other experiences where there was both a father and a step-father. Often they will "split" a song, each taking a turn dancing with the bride.

On another note, some of my clients chose to use just ONE song for both the father/daughter and mother/son dance. Any devotional song such as "How Sweet it Is To Be Loved By You" works well here. In this case, we usually start with father/daughter and after a minute or so, introduce the mother/son to join in.

The latest song that seems perfectly tailored to a devotional dance: "I Loved Her First" by Heartland

Other interesting ideas:

(I am purposely leaving out some of the obvious, overplayed choices here)

You're Nobody Til Somebody Loves You- Dean Martin
The Long and Winding Road- The Beatles
You Are the Sunshine of My Life- Stevie Wonder
I Won't Last A Day Without You- Paul Williams or Carpenters
My Heart Belongs to Daddy- Ella Fitzgerald
Run to Me- Raul Malo or Bee Gees
Everything I Own- Rod Stewart or Bread
There You'll Be- Faith Hill
How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)- James Taylor

[future_mrs.moore]

My Grandfather will be there , my real dad is not around , and my step dad can't go because my mom is not very nice when it comes to him! But i love the fact that my grandpa get's to walk me down the aisle

[feb-bride]

For my father/daughter dance, I used "To Sir With Love" by LuLu (the theme from the movie with the same; Sidney Poitier starred in it and I believe it was made in the 1960s). It's a song that can be used for any male that the bride is close to, though it works better for a male who is a lot older than the bride because of some of the lyrics (e.g., a grandfather or uncle).

[The future Mrs.]

yes, my dad will also not be present at our wedding. i am going to have my one brother walk me down the aisle, and the other brother is going to do the father-daughter dance with me. i picked a frank sinatra song, "The Way You Look Tonight".

Thanks for the topic-
Gina

[katlynesmommy]

my father passed away when i was young and I am doing a memorial dance for him, dancing with Mike to I loved her first, heartland, and then I am having a mother/daughter dance while mike has her mother/son dance to Celine Dion because you loved me