The mother of the groom has three chances to hear her song: when she is seated before the ceremony, during the mother son dance, and sometimes in a slideshow or toast at the reception. Each moment needs a different kind of song.
Here are our picks for all three, with a note on why each one works. For the full list of dance songs by genre, see our guide to the best mother son wedding dance songs.
Quick picks: 20 songs at a glance. Tap a column heading to sort.
| Song | Artist | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| A Song for Mama | Boyz II Men | Sentimental Songs |
| You Raise Me Up | Josh Groban | Sentimental Songs |
| Simple Man | Lynyrd Skynyrd | Sentimental Songs |
| Humble and Kind | Tim McGraw | Sentimental Songs |
| My Wish | Rascal Flatts | Sentimental Songs |
| I Hope You Dance | Lee Ann Womack | Sentimental Songs |
| Forever Young | Rod Stewart | Sentimental Songs |
| Wind Beneath My Wings | Bette Midler | Sentimental Songs |
| Lullaby (Goodnight, My Angel) | Billy Joel | Sentimental Songs |
| Have I Told You Lately | Rod Stewart | Sentimental Songs |
| What a Wonderful World | Louis Armstrong | Sentimental Songs |
| Landslide | Fleetwood Mac | Sentimental Songs |
| Dancing Queen | ABBA | Upbeat Songs If She Would Rather Dance |
| Walking On Sunshine | Katrina and the Waves | Upbeat Songs If She Would Rather Dance |
| Shout | The Isley Brothers | Upbeat Songs If She Would Rather Dance |
| Lean On Me | Bill Withers | Upbeat Songs If She Would Rather Dance |
| Sweet Caroline | Neil Diamond | Upbeat Songs If She Would Rather Dance |
| You've Got a Friend in Me | Randy Newman | Upbeat Songs If She Would Rather Dance |
| Brown Eyed Girl | Van Morrison | Upbeat Songs If She Would Rather Dance |
| Don't Stop Believin' | Journey | Upbeat Songs If She Would Rather Dance |
Sentimental Songs For The Mother Son Dance
A Song for Mama by Boyz II Men
Written as a tribute to a mother, with a tender melody. It is one of the best known songs of its kind.
You Raise Me Up by Josh Groban
A song about gratitude for the person who lifts you up. It is a big, emotional choice.
Simple Man by Lynyrd Skynyrd
A mother's advice to her son. It runs well over five minutes on the album, so plan to fade it out after two or three.
Humble and Kind by Tim McGraw
A country song built on the lessons a parent passes on. A good choice for a groom who prefers warm to weepy.
My Wish by Rascal Flatts
A song of hopes for a child as he grows up, sung from a parent's point of view.
I Hope You Dance by Lee Ann Womack
A parent's hope that her child keeps taking chances. The title gives a nervous pair a good reason to step onto the floor.
Forever Young by Rod Stewart
A song of wishes for someone you love. The tune is easy to dance to, and many guests will know the words.
Wind Beneath My Wings by Bette Midler
A song of thanks to someone who stood quietly behind you. It is a classic of the mother son dance.
Lullaby (Goodnight, My Angel) by Billy Joel
Billy Joel wrote this lullaby for his daughter. It is a gentle fit for a mother and her grown son.
Have I Told You Lately by Rod Stewart
A warm song of thanks, written by Van Morrison. It works well as a gentle waltz.
What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong
Easy, familiar and timeless. A safe choice if you are not sure what she likes.
Landslide by Fleetwood Mac
A quiet song about change and the passing of time. It suits a mother and son who prefer a reflective moment.
Upbeat Songs If She Would Rather Dance
Not every mother wants a slow dance in front of a hundred people. These songs make it a party, and they work well when the groom's mother loves to dance.
Dancing Queen by ABBA
A crowd favorite that makes the mother of the groom the star of the moment.
Walking On Sunshine by Katrina and the Waves
A bright, fast song that gets the whole room on its feet.
Shout by The Isley Brothers
A classic that builds, with an easy call-and-response. Guests of any age join in.
Lean On Me by Bill Withers
Warm, easy to sing and a message of support that suits a parent and child.
Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond
A song everyone knows the words to. It brings the entire room into the dance.
You've Got a Friend in Me by Randy Newman
Playful and short, at about two minutes. It is a good choice for a lighthearted dance with no need for an edit.
Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison
A feel-good favorite that works for a dance in any mood.
Don't Stop Believin' by Journey
A fun choice that many guests will sing along with.
Songs For Her Walk Down The Aisle
Traditionally the groom's parents are seated before the bride's mother, after the grandparents. If you want the mother of the groom to have her own entrance, pick a short piece that sets the mood without taking over the ceremony. Instrumental versions work well.
- Here Comes the Sun by The Beatles. Bright and warm, and short at a little over three minutes.
- Can't Help Falling in Love by Elvis Presley. A slow classic, and it works as a string or piano instrumental.
- Perfect by Ed Sheeran. A modern slow song that suits an acoustic guitar version.
- A Thousand Years by Christina Perri. A romantic piece that many string quartets play.
- Canon in D by Pachelbel. The classic processional, and the composition is in the public domain.
How To Choose Her Song
- Ask her. Some mothers have known for years which song they want. Ask before you start your own list.
- Think about length. Most dances run two to three minutes. Choose a short song or ask the DJ to fade it out.
- Match the mood. A song that makes her laugh can be more memorable than one that makes her cry.
- Read the lyrics. Make sure every verse fits. A song with a line about a different family situation can feel awkward.
- Consider combining. Some couples start the dance with the groom and his mother, and then invite the bride and her father onto the floor.
Mother Of The Groom Song Questions
Does the mother of the groom get her own dance?
Traditionally yes, as the mother son dance. It usually comes after the first dance and the father daughter dance. It is a tradition, not a rule, and many couples skip it or change it.
Who picks the song?
The groom and his mother, together. If you cannot agree, choose a song from each of you and ask the DJ to play them back to back.
How long should the dance last?
Two to three minutes is typical. Ask your DJ or band to fade the song at that point, or choose a song that is already short.
What if she does not want to dance?
Offer an alternative: a toast, a slideshow with her song, or a dance with the whole family. A moment she enjoys is better than a dance she dreads.