5 Father-Daughter Wedding Dance Videos That Got Us in Tears

There are many moments in a wedding to treasure, from that walk on the aisle to the vows to the first kiss as husband and wife. But perhaps one of the most poignant moments is when the bride dances with her father during the wedding reception. After all, it heralds a new chapter in a woman's life as she says goodbye to being daddy's little girl (although it never really ends, right?).

Many still choose to do a heartfelt traditional slow dance but lately, more and more father-and-daughter tandems are surprising family and friends with elaborate choreography -- we mean they really get down on the dance floor! Both, however, are video-worthy. Here are some of our favorite father-daughter dances shared on the internet:



Here’s the most recent father-daughter dance video to go viral. Even though there are a lot of videos on the internet where the traditionally slow father-daughter dance suddenly switches to upbeat music, this one is still such a joy to watch. And it’s partly because bride Mikayla Ellison Phillips and her dad Nathan Ellison are amazing dancers! See them move and groove to a mashup, remixed by the groom Cody, which includes favorite hits like iconic 70s’ "Shake Your Groove Thing," *NSYNC’s "Bye Bye Bye," and a recent chart-topper, Dawin’s "Dessert." 

Mikayla told ABC News that the dance was her dad’s idea. He wanted to take the opportunity since Mikayla was the only girl in the family. “He for years has talked about doing that and he finally convinced me,” she said. “The most fun thing was seeing my dad and how happy he was.” 


Have tissues ready for this one will tug at your heartstrings. In the video above, Nick Middleton, the bride’s brother, planned a surprise for his sister Andrea Stocking. Their father already passed away so for the father-daughter dance, Nick recorded his own rendition of “Butterfly Kisses,” a classic father-daughter dance song. While the special song played, selected close family and friends danced with Andrea as substitutes for their dad. It's such a beautiful moment and the sweetest sibling gesture that we are pretty sure Andrea will remember in her heart forever, thanks to brother Nick.   

What other parents are reading

Oh Yeah! Babywearing Dads Dance to "Play That Funky Music"

Whoever says tap dancing is lame has yet to see this awesome video of a father-daughter wedding dance! The duo danced to "Broadway Melody" from 1952 musical Singin’ in the Rain. Both were in top form with the dad in a top hat, a dancing cane, and of course, his click-clacking tap dancing shoes. Gene Kelly would be proud! 


How often do you dance with your child? One dad has been dancing with his daughter ever since she was very little. After 23 years, for her wedding day, he compiled all of the videos of them dancing together, from when she was a baby to her blossoming into a young woman, and played it during their father-daughter dance. “God is so faithful. Being a dad is one of God's greatest gifts,” he wrote in video’s description. Tearjerker, all right!


A week before he passed away in 2014, a dad diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia had the chance to dance with his daughter for the last time during her wedding day. The bride, Dani Mourey, recalled how she and her husband decided to push the wedding 10 months earlier for her father. “[The father-daughter dance] was the very last thing we did, because I knew I would be a wreck after the dance. When I stood up, there wasn't a dry eye in the entire pavilion. Everyone was crying,” she wrote in the video’s description. We couldn't keep from tearing up, too. Beautiful. 

What other parents are reading

First-Time Dad at 40: Being a Father Was Worth the Wait

From One Dad to Another: Tested-and-Tried Newborn Care Advice

Pinoy Dad Makes Sure His Son Gets His Breast Milk Despite Wife's Passing

The 5 Dad Commandments