Reasons why you must have a father-daughter dance at your wedding

The father-daughter dance, oh yes. It is the celebration of the bride honouring her father, and it signifies their thanks for their father's love as they embark on a new chapter in their lives. This dance, at best, can create a wonderful moment of family togetherness; at worst, it can feel a little archaic. In any case, it's a must-have at many, if not most, weddings. The father-daughter dance (like the mother-son dance that normally follows) is a means to honour the person who helped the newlywed navigate life. The dance must’ve been something you’ve seen in Hollywood movies or sitcoms, the origin of it may have been American but it’s a beautiful tradition to incorporate in your wedding too.

As you consider incorporating the custom into your wedding, questions like, "When does the father-daughter dance take place?" are sure to occur. How long should it continue? Which music should we pick? So, where did the custom come from?

 
We've got answers to all those questions! Continue reading to learn everything there is to know about the father-daughter dancing tradition.

The father-daughter dance: Its origin and meaning
The father-daughter dance, like many wedding rituals, has its roots in our patriarchal past. The father-daughter dance acted as a type of final request by the bride's father before their husband became the most important man in their lives back when most weddings were arranged and social, political, and monetary relationships were what led to unions rather than love. Following this dance, the bride and groom would be able to dance with their new spouse, whom they had most likely only recently met. Since love is the fundamental reason for marriage these days, most gender-based customs have been reclaimed as special moments between two individuals who sincerely care about one another. The father-daughter dance is an unforgettable moment between a bride and her father that symbolises their appreciation for the love and guidance they got throughout their lives.

When should the father-daughter dance take place?
The father-daughter dance is usually performed immediately after the bride's first dance with her husband. If you don't want to have it after the first dance, you could opt for having it after the toasts or before the cake cutting.

Song selection
You can talk to your father about what song they want to dance to, but the decision is ultimately yours. Some brides select a meaningful song that brings the audience to tears, while others select a song that creates laughter. It should be something that speaks to your relationship, whether it is hip hop or slow. Fortunately, there are plenty of tunes to pick from.

Should the dance be choreographed?
It's not a bad idea if you're dancing to a more energetic song. If you stick to a classic slow dance, it may not be essential, and you can just attend a few dancing classes instead.

Can I include my stepparents as well?
Without a doubt! You can always switch partners and songs in the middle. If you want to honour a few individuals, they can take turns cutting in to share the dance. Ps- Raised by two fathers? Choose two songs, cut them to around two minutes each, and dedicate a special dance to each of your fathers in turn.

What should the duration of the dance be?
Most of the time, the dance will last as long as the song, assuming it is between three and four minutes long. However, given that visitors' attention spans are prone to dwindling, some people advise playing a shorter version as opposed to the entire song.

Wedding traditions are not one-size-fits-all and should not be approached in this manner. There are numerous ways for brides to make the father-daughter dance their own. First and foremost, some brides may not have a relationship with their fathers or, sadly, may no longer have them in their lives. In this situation, one could decide to dance with their mother, another family member, or someone else who was significant in their lives as a child.