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These 50 Father-Daughter Dance Songs Get Us Right in the Feels

March 1, 2022 | Junebug Weddings

Is there anything more heartwarming than the father-daughter dance at a wedding? We don’t think so! With all of the music that’s out there, we know how hard it can be to choose the right song that perfectly describes your relationship with your dad. That’s why we’re rounding up 50 father-daughter dance songs that we think are perfect for your special moment together. There won’t be a dry eye in the room by the time you’re done.

Soft Rock Father Daughter Songs

Wonderful Tonight – Eric Clapton

And then she asks me / “Do I look all right?” / And I say, “Yes, you look wonderful tonight”

I’ll Stand By You – The Pretenders

I’ll stand by you / I’ll stand by you / Won’t let nobody hurt you / I’ll stand by you

Brown Eyed Girl – Van Morrison

And whatever happened / To Tuesday and so slow? / Going down the old mine with a / Transistor radio / Standing in the sunlight laughing / Hiding ‘hind a rainbow’s wall / Slipping and sliding / All along the waterfall with you

Landslide – Fleetwood Mac

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

Wildflowers – Tom Petty

Run away, find you a lover / Go away somewhere all bright and new / I have seen no other / Who compares with you

Tiny Dancer – Elton John

Ballerina / You must’ve seen her / Dancing in the sand / And now she’s in me / Always with me / Tiny dancer in my hand

You’re My Best Friend – Queen

Oh, you’re the best friend that I ever had / I’ve been with you such a long time / You’re my sunshine and I want you to know / That my feelings are true / I really love you / Oh, you’re my best friend

Tupelo Honey – Van Morrison

She’s as sweet as tupelo honey / She’s an angel of the first degree / She’s as sweet as tupelo honey / Just like honey from the bee

Vienna – Billy Joel

Slow down, you’re doin’ fine / You can’t be everything you wanna be before your time / Although it’s so romantic on the borderline / Tonight, tonight / Too bad, but it’s the life you lead / You’re so ahead of yourself that you forgot what you need

When You Need Me – Bruce Springsteen

When you need me, call my name / ‘Cause without you, my life just wouldn’t be the same / If you want me come sunny skies or rain / When you need me, just call my name

My Darling – Wilco

Because we made you, my darling / With the love in each of our hearts / We were a family, my darling / Right from the start

Country Father Daughter Dance Songs

You are My Sunshine – Johnny Cash

You are my sunshine, my only sunshine / You make me happy when skies are gray / You’ll never know, dear, how much I love you / Please don’t take my sunshine away

I Don’t Dance – Lee Brice

Spinnin’ you ’round and ’round in circles / It ain’t my style, but I don’t care / I’d do anything with you anywhere / Yes, you got me in the palm of your hand / ‘Cause I don’t dance

There Goes My Life – Kenny Chesney

He smiles / “There goes my life / There goes my future, my everything / I love you Daddy, good night / There goes my life”

Humble and Kind – Tim McGraw

Hold the door, say “please”, say “thank you” / Don’t steal, don’t cheat, and don’t lie / I know you got mountains to climb / But always stay humble and kind / When the dreams you’re dreamin’ come to you

Don’t Blink – Kenny Chesney

Don’t blink, ’cause just like that you’re six years old / And you take a nap / And you wake up and you’re twenty-five / And your high school sweetheart becomes your wife / Don’t blink, you just might miss / Your babies growing like mine did

I’ll Be Your Man – Zac Brown Band

There was a time when I thought I knew love / Until you came into this world / Time keeps on flying / But your always gonna be my baby girl

I Hope You Dance – Lee Ann Womack

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder / You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger /May you never take one single breath for granted /God forbid love ever leave you empty handed

Dance With My Daughter – Jason Blaine

Gonna dance with my daughter / Spin her around under the lights / ‘Cause I’m just a father / Making the most of this moment in time / Before she lets me go, I’ll hold her close

Half The Man – Jennifer Smestad

Daddy set the bar real high / Showed me what a real man looks like / It’s gonna take one to fill those shoes / In his eyes nothing less will do

Image by Salt Atelier

Vintage Father Daughter Dance Songs

God Only Knows – The Beach Boys

God only knows what I’d be without you / If you should ever leave me / Well life would still go on believe me / The world could show nothing to me / So what good would living do me

She’s Leaving Home – The Beatles

She, … (we gave her most of our lives) / Is leaving (sacrificed most of our lives) / Home (we gave her everything money could buy)

Stand By Me – Ben E. King

If the sky that we look upon / Should tumble and fall / Or the mountains should crumble to the sea / I won’t cry, I won’t cry / No, I won’t shed a tear / Just as long as you stand, stand by me

You Are The Sunshine Of My Life – Stevie Wonder

You are the sunshine of my life / That’s why I’ll always stay around / You are the apple of my eye / Forever you’ll stay in my heart

The Way You Look Tonight – France Sinatra

Yes, you’re lovely, with your smile so warm / And your cheeks so soft / There is nothing for me but to love you / And the way you look tonight

My Girl – The Temptations

I’ve got sunshine on a cloudy day / When it’s cold outside / I’ve got the month of May / I guess you’d say / What can make me feel this way / My girl, my girl, my girl / Talkin’ ’bout my girl

Forever – The Beach Boys

If every word I said / Could make you laugh / I’d talk forever (together my love) / I ask the sky just what we had / Mmm It shone forever

Ain’t No Mountain High Enough – Marvin Gaye

Listen, baby, ain’t no mountain high / Ain’t no valley low, ain’t no river wide enough, baby / If you need me, call me, no matter where you are / No matter how far, don’t worry, baby

Indie Father Daughter Dance Songs

Dream – Priscilla Ahn

I was a little girl alone in my little world / Who dreamed of a little home for me / I played pretend between the trees / And fed my houseguests, bark and leaves / And laughed in my pretty bed of green

Be There – Andrew Simple

I’ll be there to help you/  I’ll be right there by your side / Every time I will be your shelter / When you need a place to hide

Indie/Alternative Father-Daughter Dance Songs

Kind and Generous – Natalie Merchant

You’ve been so kind and generous / I don’t know how you keep on giving / For your kindness I’m in debt to you / And I never could have come this far without you

Gracie – Ben Folds

You can’t fool me, I saw you when you came out / You got your momma’s taste but you got my mouth / And you will always have a part of me / Nobody else is ever going to see / Gracie girl

Yellow (Acoustic Cover) – Noah Gundersen

Look at the stars / Look how they shine for you / And everything you do / Yeah, they were all yellow

The Way That I Love You – Passenger

How many times can I tell you / You’re lovely just the way you are / Don’t let the world come and change you / Don’t let life break your heart

Girl – SYML

I’ll wear your pain / Heal what I can in your troubled mind / Sometimes our bodies will hurt for some time / And the beauty in that can be hard to find / I want you to find it

Pop Father Daughter Dance Songs

To Make You Feel My Love – Adele

When the evening shadows and the stars appear / And there is no one there to dry your tears / I could hold you for a million years / To make you feel my love

Daughters – John Mayer

I know a girl / She puts the color inside of my world / She’s just like a maze / Where all of the walls all continually change / And I’ve done all I can / To stand on her steps with my heart in my hands

Slipping Through My Fingers – ABBA

The feeling that I’m losing her forever / And without really entering her world / I’m glad whenever I can share her laughter / That funny little girl

If You Love Her – Forest Blakk

Take it / If she gives you her heart / Don’t you break it / Let your arms be a place / She feels safe in / She’s the best thing that you’ll ever have

First Man – Camilla Cabello

I swear on my heart / That he’s a good man / I know you’ll stay up late / Just waiting for me / You held me so tight / Now someone else can / But you were the first man that really loved me

Like My Father – Jax

And if he lives up to my father / Maybe he could teach our daughter / What it takes to love a queen / She should know she’s royalty

Count on Me – Bruno Mars

If you ever find yourself stuck in the middle of the sea / I’ll sail the world to find you / If you ever find yourself lost in the dark and you can’t see / I’ll be the light to guide you

Singer/Songwriter Father Daughter Dance Songs

You’ll Be In My Heart – Phil Collins

‘Cause you’ll be in my heart / Yes, you’ll be in my heart / From this day on / Now and forever more

My Little Girl – Jack Johnson

You don’t ever have to feel lonely / You will never lose any tears / You don’t have to feel any sadness / When you look back on the years / How can I look you in the eyes / And tell you such big lies / The best I can do is try to show you / How to love with no fear

You’ve Got A Friend – James Taylor

You just call out my name / And you know, wherever I am / I’ll come runnin’ / To see you again / Winter, spring, summer or fall / All you have to do is call / And I’ll be there / You’ve got a friend

Sweet Pea – Amos Lee

Hey, sweet pea / Apple of my eye / Don’t know when, and I don’t know why / But you’re the only reason I keep on coming home

You Raise Me Up – Josh Groban

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains / You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas / I am strong, when I am on your shoulders / You raise me up to more than I can be

You Are My Sunshine – Jasmine Thompson

You are my sunshine / My only sunshine / You make me happy / When skies are gray / You’ll never know, dear / How much I love you

Have I Told You Lately That I Love You – Michael Buble

My heart would break in two if I should lose you / It’s no good without you anyhow / Oh, have I told you lately that I love you? / Well darling, I’m telling you now

Over The Rainbow – Israel Kamakawiwoʻole

Someday I’ll wish upon a star / And wake up where the clouds are far behind me / Where troubles melt like lemon drops / Away above the chimney tops / That’s where you’ll find me

Now that you’ve got your father-daughter song nailed down, get ready for your reception with these songs guaranteed to get guests on the dance floor!

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8 Tips for a Killer Cocktail Hour

March 1, 2022 | kailey

Images by Inner Images and Shelby Chanté. See more of this real wedding here.

Casual drinks, hors d’oeuvres, games, music—the cocktail hour is the most underrated portion of a wedding day. This is the gap of time between your ceremony and reception. It’s typically the time when you run away with your photographer to snap couple portraits while your guests enjoy drinks and appetizers. And though it may seem like a small detail, it’s actually an important part of tying together the main events of your wedding day. 

Want to pull off an epic cocktail hour that’ll get your guests in party mode? All you need is a little creativity and these tips to create an experience everyone will love.

1. Pick A Cocktail Hour Theme 

Though there are no concrete rules while wedding planning, keeping your decor cohesive is always a good rule of thumb. Since the cocktail hour is the bridge between your ceremony and reception, playing around with the same colors and florals will help create a natural transition. 

There are so many ways to infuse your style into the cocktail hour decor. You can do this by incorporating a few extra floral arrangements on your bar and cocktail tables. But why stop there? If you’re creating beautiful custom signage for the ceremony and reception, add another for the cocktail hour. Trust us, the smallest details always make the biggest impact. 

2. Music Isn’t Just For Your Reception 

Music is the key to getting you and your guests ready for the reception. But keep in mind this hour is typically a time for guests to relax and chat, so work with your DJ—or chosen musical talent—to create a playlist that matches that vibe. Save the party mix for when the guests hit the dance floor. The music really is the cherry on top of a killer cocktail hour, so make it count.

Image by Jordan Jankun Photography. See more of this styled shoot here.

3. Include Games For Guests To Play 

There are a variety of wedding day games that make for a great time. Plus, your guests will appreciate this simple addition. Think cornhole, giant Jenga, tic-tac-toe, an inflatable bounce house… the list goes on and on. You can rent these games, DIY your own, or purchase customized games that double as a wedding keepsake. 

[Wedding Games Shoppable]

Image by Inner Images and Shelby Chanté. See more of this real wedding here.

4. Create Custom Cocktails

Wine and beer are great options, but a signature cocktail adds a little more personality to your cocktail hour. On top of serving up the classics, consider creating one, two, or ten custom cocktails. You can offer signature drinks that represent your love, honor loved-ones that have passed, or even include your pets not in attendance.

 5. Include Interactive Drink Stations 

We love a creative drink wall. But if you really want to take your bar to the next level, make your drink stations interactive—a fairly new wedding trend that we don’t see going away anytime soon. Interactive stations get guests out of their seats and give them something fun and delicious to try while they wait for the bridal party to arrive. Think champagne mysteriously coming out of a wall, whisky tasting stations, or pour your own taps. 

6. Offer Sweet And Savory Snacks 

The way to your guests’ heart is through their stomach. So when crafting your cocktail hour menu with caterers, make it count. Most of your guests will expect only savory appetizers during your cocktail hour. Mix it up and wow your guests by adding a sweet option. Consider including mini pies, donut holes, or macarons. We’ve also seen couples bring in ice cream trucks—genius for hot summer weddings.

If you’re getting married in a region that’s famous for their cuisine, treat your guests to some local favorites. Planning a New Orleans inspired celebration? Add some cajun flair with mini bowls of gumbo, bite-sized portions of muffuletta, or oysters in the shell. The options are endless. 

8. Don’t Forget The Photo Ops 

While you run away with your photographer to snap couple portraits, leave your guests with a photo spot to take some fun pictures of their own. You can rent a photo booth, create a DIY backdrop, or even offer Polaroid cameras for guests to use. 

Image by Aurelia Baca. See more of this real wedding here.

9. Include Lounge Areas For Guests To Relax

A comfortable hang out spot that doubles as cocktail decor—we’re sold. We’re talking about lounge areas. You can make a lounge area as simple or as elaborate as you want, but don’t forget to infuse your own style. All you need is comfy seating, tables for guests to set down their drinks or plates, and a rug to tie it all together. You can use things from your home or find a rental company to help bring your vision to life.

With these epic tips you’re ready to throw a killer cocktail hour. But now let’s talk about your reception. Whether you’re planning a large, black-tie reception or an intimate micro wedding reception, here are the top tips for decorating your reception space on a budget. Let them serve as a  reminder that you don’t need to drain your bank account in order to have the wedding of your dreams!

Image by Jordan Jankun Photography. See more of this styled shoot here.

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Dazzling Indian and Scottish Fusion Wedding

February 28, 2022 | riley

Jeneen and Steven found ways to combine traditions and customs from their different cultural backgrounds throughout their wedding. From the beautifully personalized ceremony and reception, to intentionally supporting local small businesses and a social enterprise—their dazzling Indian and Scottish fusion wedding was as unique as their love.

With vaulted ceilings, original stone walls, large barn doors, spectacular hillside views, and the rustic vibe—the Pratis Barns was the perfect romantic setting for their big day. The groom rocked a classic kilt and tartan suit while the bride looked stunning in her pink and gold lehenga. They said their “I do’s” surrounded by family and friends in the ceremony barn adorned by fairy lights and candles. It was followed by a reception with amazing food and a great party at the heart of the celebration.

Scroll through these beautiful images captured by Nikki Leadbetter to see the many memorable and touching ways this couple took different elements from their cultures to create a unique and unforgettable experience.

The Couple:

Jeneen + Steven

The Wedding:

Pratis, Scotland

Choosing Pratis Barns For Their Indian and Scottish Fusion Wedding

One of the main reasons we picked our venue was because we both loved Susie who owned the Pratis Barns at the time. It was also one of the few venues that let us bring in our own caterers. We really wanted to use Punjabi Junction and they were so supportive in creating something unique for us, as opposed to rolling out a standard wedding package. When we booked the venue, the ceremony barn didn’t actually exist. We were delighted on a subsequent visit to see what Susie had done with the place. It was an added unexpected bonus that was more than we even hoped for.

Creating A Personalized Ceremony

For both of us, the ceremony was something special from the beautiful fairy lit barn to our emotional vows. Personalizing our ceremony was easier for us because we had a humanist ceremony. So we wrote the entire thing with our celebrant. A humanist ceremony tells the story of the two of you and how you got to your wedding day which was a really special way of sharing that with all our guests. We also had a Milni ceremony before Jeneen walked down the aisle where key family members from both sides “met” each other and exchanged garlands to signify the wedding was as much about two families coming together as it was about us as a couple. This is an element of Sikh-Punjabi weddings that Jeneen has always loved. We incorporated some traditional Scottish elements into our ceremony too. For example, we tied the knot and shared a drink from the quaich using chai tea and material from both our wedding outfits.

The Wedding Menu

We had a full Indian banquet—all the curry made by Punjabi Junction which was delicious. Our canapés were aloo paratha bites and haggis pakoras. Then our evening buffet was an array of samosas and chicken tikka bites. We had a cake table from Cuckoo Bakery for our dessert as well as a Scottish tablet made by Steven’s mum to have with teas and coffees.

 

Working With Nikki Leadbetter Photography

Nikki Leadbetter was a dream. She made us both feel really comfortable, like hanging out with a friend and her photos speak for themselves. They’re magic. We picked Nikki because we instantly loved her when we met her at a wedding market and we both think it’s really important to get on well with your photographer. Nikki was really invested in us loving the photos of the day. She took the time to really understand what we wanted and anything we were worried about. Despite being ridiculously talented and able to take the artistic creative shots that deserve gallery space, she never makes it feel like it’s about her. She does everything in her power to tell the story of your big day.

Supporting Small Businesses And A Social Enterprise

We did our very best to support small independent Scottish businesses. And we even used a social enterprise for our caterer. Doing these things took more effort to get organized but was definitely worth it. We really wanted every aspect of the day to reflect us and what’s important to us as a couple.

Wedding Planning Advice From The Newlyweds

Every couple should pick vendors they love and want to spend time with. Make sure you take time at the start of the planning process to think about what is really important to you. For us, it was food and family. Everything else we had in our head for the day came secondary to those.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Nikki Leadbetter Photography
Venue – Pratis Barns Venue
Catering – Punjabi Junction
Live Music – The Jets
Videography – You do the shoot
Invitation Design – Florence and Bette Stationery
Makeup Artist – AMM team

Congratulations to Jeneen and Steven on their dazzling Indian and Scottish fusion wedding. And special thanks to Nikki Leadbetter for capturing the joy, love, and fun of their big day. To see more of her work, check out her profile in our directory of vendors from around the world.

Trying to merge two cultures and traditions together may be a daunting challenge. But just like Jeneen and Steve, there are ways to pull it off and make it feel personal. From finding the perfect venue to sourcing the right vendors, having an experienced planner will go a long way in taking the stress and worry out of the process. Get started and find your wedding planner today.

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