On the big day, we often focus on the relationship between the bride and her dad. We have historical traditions of the father of the bride “giving his daughter away” to her spouse. The father/daughter dance can leave the entire reception a little teary-eyed. But the relationship between mother and son can be just as special, and the groom’s dance with his mom can be just as much of a tearjerker. Most of the songs suggestions we see for wedding reception dances tend to be for the father/daughter dances. To offer an alternative, here are some suggestions for a mother/son dance.
1) “Because You Loved Me” by Celine Dion
This one may seem a little over-the-top, but hey, it’s a wedding. Emotions are running high, so just embrace the over-the-top emotional nature of Celine Dion. If the groom is a little embarrassed by the choice, the mother of the groom is almost sure to love it. Just remind him that this moment is for her as much as it is for him.
2) “Faithfully” by Journey
This one may trigger the waterworks, but that’s okay. What else is this song choice for, after all? While it might not have been traditionally written for the relationship between mother and son, many of the lyrics of this song really strike true for the current situation. A father doesn’t just give his daughter away, a mother gives her son away on this day too. Take the moment and use this song to remind her, “I’m still yours.”
3) “I Hope You Dance” by LeeAnn Womack
While most of these carry a message that son will want to resound with mom, this ballad is the kind of advice a mother wants to give to her son. This is also a more subtle choice than Journey or Celine, and one that might agree with both the groom and groom’s mother. There are thousands of pieces of wisdom that mothers pass to their sons, and this country classic creates a poetic mosaic of the best of that advice.
4) “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston
Definitely go for the Whitney Houston version. This is a wedding: we need tears and tenor sax. If by some freak of nature, the mother of the groom hasn’t already cried during the wedding, this moving power ballad will do the trick. The words in this beautiful David Foster arrangement are sure to strike a chord with mom. This is a bittersweet moment, and it’s okay to acknowledge both sides of that. This song is a great way to do that.
5) “You’ll Be In My Heart” by Phil Collins
The message of this tailor-made mother/son song will never be trite to your mother. For an option that’s not a ballad, up-tempo hit from Tarzan will likely keep the mood of your wedding light and festive. While a few tears may be shed, they will be shed with a smile. Mother and son both need to hear as they part ways, they will remain primary parts of each other’s life. Marriage won’t change that.
Honorable Mention: “Your Song” by Elton John
Few songs could better articulate the feelings a mother has when her child is brought into the world: beaming with pride, overwhelmed with gratitude, and bursting over with joy. This mom-to-son song might actually prompt some tears from the groom, as he is reminded of how much his mother loves him. It will also remind mom of some of the feelings she had when she became his mother.
FanC wants your big day to be as special and sentimental as you want it to be. While we are here for you, your wedding is about more than just the dress. Make sure these moments at your wedding are unforgettable, because you won’t want to forget them.
Is there a song you think would be perfect? Tell us in the comments below! What song do you think is perfect for the mother and son dance?