Wedding Blog
I have no clue what song we will dance to for the first time as husband and wife. I have no idea what song I’ll walk down the aisle to in the last moments before we get hitched. The only song that I have written into the little Excel spreadsheet that is our playlist is for the father-daughter dance.
Before getting engaged, I had always imagined my dad and I dancing to “Daughters” by John Mayer. I’ve always loved John Mayer, and I think that the song is perfect for a wedding dance with daddy. Bonus points are in order as well for it not being overdone and overplayed. I thought for sure this was the song that we’d be playing for the father-daughter dance.
(source) (fast forward to about 0:40)
That is, until my dad mentioned that he’d really like to dance to “It’s a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong. At first, I didn’t know what to think. Of course, it’s a classic song for the occasion, but this song has some history for my family.
When I was about 13 years old, my very favorite aunt, who was pretty much the coolest person I had ever known, passed away from breast cancer. I don’t even think she was 50 years old. It was really hard on my family, especially my dad. He and his sister were always very close, and they even shared the same birthday (but they weren’t twins!). My aunt’s favorite song in the entire world was… you guessed it… It’s a Wonderful World. It was played at her funeral, and every time it’s played at a family event, you’ll see tears in people’s eyes.
I had never even considered playing this song at our wedding, mainly because I didn’t want people to be sad during an occasion that is supposed to be happy and fun. But after my dad asked about it, it made sense to me. Weddings are a time to celebrate the marriage between two people, but they are also about joining two families together. This song has an immense amount of meaning to our family. Also, we’d like to somehow honor my aunt at the wedding, since we wish more than anything that she could be there with us. What better way to honor a person than to play a song that will remind everyone of her?
So it’s been decided. My dad and I will be dancing to It’s a Wonderful World, and my aunt will be looking down on us, happy to be a part of such a special day.
Which song would you choose?
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Share this post: One Musical Selection Down, Many More to Go
I love that your father presented his song choice to you — what a sweet selection, with wonderful sentimental reasons behind it!
I couldn’t help but shed a few tears as I read that Miss Mascara! What an incredibly, touching, and meaningful father/daughter dance that will be.
No doubt your aunt will be smiling down on you all! 
I would definitely go with “Its a Wonderful World” as well. I love that song and your dad requested it and it will be a great way to commemerate a beloved family member.
I always thought the father & mother should respectively get to choose the father/daughter and mother/son dance.
Aww Miss M — thanks for sharing that very personal part of your planning with us (hug!)
Pops and I are dancing to the same song — we’re using the instrumental version from the movie Meet Joe Black, so I don’t sing along and get choked up by the words
That’s so touching about the louis armstrong song!
I really love john mayer, though!
I really think his acoustic stuff is way better than the studio stuff.
I think you made the right choice. If you really listen to the lyrics of “Daughters” … it’s actually about a girl with major Daddy issues! (Of course, I’m always a lyric over-analyzer, too.)
What a lovely way to remember a loved one. Just makes it that much more special for your father-daughter dance.
Beautiful! I danced with my dad (and hubby danced with his mom) to this sweet song, too. And, now you have the opportunity to give your family members a really happy memory to remember the song by, in addition to your special aunt!
I think that is a beautiful idea. My mom passed away 8 years ago (at 42 years old) and I have been considering using one of “her” songs for the father daughter dance…
I think that’s a beautiful choice. My husband and I danced to What a Wonderful World for our first dance. The night my grandmother, who I was very close to, died, I left the hospital and turned the radio on and that song was just starting. I had recently met my someday husband and the time was full of mixed emotions. When I came home that night, I found out he’d called (pre-cell phone!). I have always thought that my grandmother sort of brought us together– and that song always reminds me of her role in my life.
Such a touching story! I think that song is a great choice and will be really meaningful for you and your dad.
It’s neat that your dad recommended it. Even if people get teary, it’ll be nice to honor your aunt at this family occasion and share the story with your new family.
wow way to get me all teary eyed while working! it truly is a great song… i love it!
Tough decision. I personally thought of both of the songs as well…but I think I’m leaning towards What a Wonderful World, mainly because it is sentimental.
So sweet! Think of it as your aunt being there at the wedding. Also, I agree with theredpen, the John Mayer song is actually not the sweetest. Love the melody, but if you listen to the words, it’s not all sweetness and light.
I’ve always loved Mayer. Seen him twice in concert and his lyrics always touch my heart. With that said, I think you’ve made the right decision. What a Wonderful World has deep meaning to your dad and family…and will be so precious to dance to!
I think you made the right decision, what a great way to incorporate your aunt in your wedding
I think you definitely made the right decision :-). Both are beautiful songs…. I will mention that for my father/daughter dance we used John Mayer’s ‘Daughters’ song. It was beautiful - and also way too long! We honestly hit a point where we both started wondering “when’s this song going to end?” - it ended in a good way though, part way through the song my Dad passed me off to my Grandfather to finish the song with me. (But it’s something to think about!)
both songs are beautiful, and you’ve made a good choice. ‘what a wonderful world’ is a great song can you incorporate ‘daughters’ into a slide show or cocktail hour?
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Mrs. Mascara, Chicago/Upper Michigan
Age and Occupation: 25, Biomedical Engineer
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 25, Process Engineer
Engagement Date: July 27, 2008
Wedding Date: September 2009
Venue: Catholic ceremony, reception at local armory
About Me: A lover of Mr. Mascara, crafting, baking, Gossip Girl, diet soda, and all things wedding. A Yooper girl somehow displaced in the Chicago suburbs, planning a wedding from a distance, and counting down the days until I marry my best friend.
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