Whether you want to honor your biological mom, adoptive mom, step-mom, grandma, or mother-like figure on your wedding day, a mother-son dance or mother-daughter dance is the perfect opportunity to make her feel extra special. Here are some of our favorite unique mother-daughter or mother-son songs to dance to at your reception.
“Oh, my, my/ How beautiful/ Oh my beautiful mother/ She told me/ Son in life you're gonna go far/ If you do it right/ You'll love where you are/ Just know that wherever you go/ You can always come home.”
If you’re looking for a heartfelt song with a country twang for your slow dance with your mom, "Mother Like Mine" by The Band Perry is worth a listen. Lyrics include: “She's the sky that holds the clouds/ She's the lady of the house/ A blind believer in all I dare to be/ There's no safer place I've found/ Than the shoulder of her white night gown/ Oh I've got the best and the worst of her in me/ And I'd share her if I could”
This lesser-known song by New Zealand band Six60 just might be the perfect unique song for your mother-son or mother-daughter dance. This moving ballad includes lyrics like: “Took me in her arms and made me believe/ You could be anything/ That's what she said to me/ I know you just want what is best for me/ I should be loved/ I should be free/”
This upbeat song by Meghan Trainer is dedicated to her mom and features lyrics like: “You might have a mom, she might be the bomb/ But ain't nobody got a mom like mine/ Her love's 'til the end, she's my best friend/ Ain't nobody got a mom like mine.”
"Coming Home" by Leon Bridges is a popular first dance song for couples , but the lyrics "I'm coming home / To your tender sweet loving / You're my one and only woman" are a great reminder to your mom that she'll always have a special place in your heart.
This song by Carrie Underwood is about assuring her mom on her wedding day that her husband is a good man who will treat her well but that her mom will always have a special place in her heart. Lyrics include: “Mama there's no way you'll ever lose me/ And giving me away is not goodbye/ As you watch me walk down to my future,/ I hope tears of joy are in your eyes/ 'Cause he is good, so good.”
Ciara created this song for her young son to let him know that she will always be there for him. Take a listen and see if it speaks to your relationship with your mother. It could end up being the perfect song to dance to with your mom.
This sweet R&B song is all about recognizing how your mother was there for you and how you’ll always be there for her. The lyrics include: “See I was 6 years old with a dream/ When my Moms told me I can do anything/ Said she'd be there forever/ No matter what's the weather/ She'd always have my back even when we weren't together.”
Taylor Swift wrote this song about her mom's positive influence on her when she was growing up. Lyrics include: "I love you for giving me your eyes, for staying back and watching me shine. And I didn't know if you knew, so I'm taking this chance to say that I had the best day with you today."
This country song by Lauren Alaina is a perfect choice for a mother-daughter dance. Lyrics include: “People always say/ I have a laugh/ Like my mother does/ Guess that makes sense/ She taught me how to smile/ When things get rough/ I've got her spirit/ She's always got my back/ When I look at her/ I think, I want to be just like that.”
For all the funky mommas out there, "I'll Always Love My Mama" by The Intruders is a retro throwback to the days of disco and Soul Train. This could be a fun dance to do a choreographed boogie with your mom. Check out the music video for dance move inspiration.
This moving tribute to mom may bring a tear to your eye, especially if you and your mom live far apart. Lyrics include "Wish we didn't live, wish we didn't live so far from each other/ I'm just sitting here thinking 'bout the time that's slipping/ And missing my mother, mother/ And she's probably sitting there/ Thinking 'bout the time that's slipping/ And missing her mother, mother."
If you’re looking for a timeless song to dance to with your mom at your wedding, then Frank Sinatra is always a good choice. Take a listen to “When Somebody Loves You” and see if it would work for your mother-son or mother-daughter dance.
Looking for something a little different to dance to with your mom at your wedding? Whether or not you had a similar upbringing to Lukas Graham, his pop/rap song about his mother could be a fitting tune to dance to with the one who has always stood by your side and given you advice for your life.
Stevie Wonder is always a crowd pleaser and “Your Are The Sunshine of My Life” is a lovely duet that will speak to how you and your mom feel about your love for each other.
This upbeat song by Ingrid Michaelson has lyrics that sound like words of advice your mom has probably given you: “Happy is the heart that still feels pain/ Darkness drains and light will come again/ Swing open up your chest and let it in/ Just let the love, love, love begin/”
This classic tune by The Beach Boys will probably be familiar to your mom. Lyrics include: “I may not always love you/ But long as there are stars above you/ You never need to doubt it/ I'll make you so sure about it/ God only knows what I'd be without you.”
“Hey Mama” by Kanye West is a rap/ R&B song dedicated to Kanye’s mom. Lyrics include: “I want to tell the whole world about a friend of mine/ This little light of mine, I'm feelin' let it shine/ I'm feelin' take y'all back to them better times/ I'm feelin' talk about my momma if y'all don't mind (hey mama).”
It’s your wedding day and life is good! “What A Wonderful World” captures all of those joyous feelings you’re experiencing on your wedding day and puts them into a great song for a mother-son or mother-daughter dance.
Rod Stewart wrote “Forever Young” as a heartfelt message to his kids. Lyrics include "And when you finally fly away, I'll be hoping that I served you well/For all the wisdom of a lifetime, no one can ever tell/But whatever road you choose, I'm right behind you win or lose"
There won’t be a dry eye in the room if you choose “You Raise Me Up” by Josh Groban for your dance with your mother. This beautiful song includes heartfelt lyrics with a chorus of backup singers, violins, bagpipes, harp, and piano. Lyrics include: “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.”
"House of Gold" is a song by the Indie Rock duo Twenty One Pilots. Lyrics include “She asked me, ’Son, when I grow old/ Will you buy me a house of gold?/ And when your father turns to stone/ Will you take care of me?’/ I will make you queen of everything you see/ I'll put you on the map/ I'll cure you of disease.”
Sheryl Crow’s cover of “Sweet Child O´Mine” is less hard rock than Guns ‘n Roses’ original hit, but it’s still an upbeat song choice for your mother-son or mother-daughter dance.
Bonnie Foster Productions offers award-winning music and entertainment for weddings and special events.
Whether you’re looking for a live wedding band, a Big Band Dance Orchestra, a DJ, a DJ/Band Hybrid Experience, a one-man or one-woman-band, instrumentalists like classical musicians, Latin guitarists, steel drummers, harpists, or pianists, we do it all.
We’re located in Southern California, but will travel globally for your special day. Contact us to learn more about our services, availability, and pricing.
Header photo by True Photography.