The Sweetest Mother-Son Dance Photos from Real Weddings

May 07, 2015
Charlotte Jenks Lewis

These poignant images prove how important it is to dance with your parents.

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Charlotte Jenks Lewis

At their heart, weddings are about family—both the family you'll create with the person you've just pledged your heart to and the family who made you into the person you are today. When it comes to honoring your parents during the reception, couples typically turn to the dance floor. After all, in middle of all the pomp and circumstance, there's no greater way to express your love for your parents than finding a moment of calm to dance with Mom or Dad.

If you're a groom (or are marrying one!), it's customary to dance with your mother. Take one look at the following mother-son dance photos, and you'll discover why the moment is consistently hailed as one of the more emotional parts of the reception. We were so inspired and moved by the love between the mothers and sons, and were thrilled that talented photographers knew how to capture that emotion on film. As you scroll through, it's impossible not to get a little choked up. On one of the biggest days of your adult life, dancing with Mom brings it all rushing back—your history, your triumphs, your sadness. And to take a spin with the woman who was there through it all? There's nothing quite like it.

Of course, even with all that emotion, there were moments of levity, too. You'll discover plenty of duos that chose up-beat music and left all of their best moves out on the dance floor. Others chose to just spend a quiet moment together, swaying to a special tune that reminded them of their bond. However you or your groom decide to share a special dance with Mom on the big day, these twosomes are sure to inspire your own important moment.

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A Wonderful World

Roey Yohai Photography
Mother-of-the-Bride (and-Groom!) Dresses That Stole the Show

Jay and his mother took a quiet moment alone during the merriment to dance to Louis Armstrong's "What a Wonderful World."

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Sweet Mother

Patrick Moyer

The groom and his mom—who wore a traditional Nigerian outfit, including the "gele," or head tie—danced to the song "Sweet Mother" by Prince Nico Mbarga. The song, a popular tune in West Africa (it's 40 years old!), is an ode to a wonderful mother.

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Light of My Life

Corbin Gurkin
How to Involve Long-Distance Parents in Wedding Planning

This twosome waltzed to Stevie Wonder's "You Are the Light of My Life," and, based on the way this mother and soon looked at each other, it was an appropriate choice.

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A Quick Hug

Bryan from For the Love of It

In the middle of their spin, this mom wrapped her son in a giant hug, emotion evident on her face.

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A Family Affair

Britt Chudleigh - Chudleigh Weddings

The bride wanted her family—both old and new—to dance together under their ethereal floral installation as a symbol of her and her husband's union. She danced with her father while groom swayed with his mom.

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A Quiet Moment

Allan Zepeda Photography
Ways to Incorporate Your Parents' Wedding Into Your Own

After circling to Barbara Streisand's "Here's to Life" with his new husband, this groom and his mother spent some content, reflective time on the dance floor.

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My Sunshine

Justin + Mary

"You Are My Sunshine" by Jimmie Davis and Charles Mitchell played in the background during this sweet moment. The overcome groom couldn't keep the tears away.

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Inside Joke

Lauren Fair Photography

This groom, who took ballroom dancing lessons in college, shared a laugh with his mom after a dramatic dip.

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In Sync

Emilia Jane Photography

This duo looked stylish in their coordinating shades of burgundy. They were just as in sync on the dance floor.

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Mother's Prayer

The McCartneys Photography

These two kicked off the reception with Celine Dion's "A Mother's Prayer," conversing (and smiling and laughing!) throughout.

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Looking Up

James Moes
First Song Ideas from Your Parents' Era

Even in sky-high stilettos, this mom was a full foot shorter than her son, which made for an even cuter moment. They grooved to Stevie Wonder's "I Just Called to Say I Love You"—the groom began the song with his mother and finished it with his aunt.

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Twist and Shout

Acqua Photo

The mother of the groom picked out "Twist and Shout" by the Beatles for their dance. "We didn't practice," the groom said, of their high-energy moves. "But it got people ready to dance."

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At Home

Landon Jacob
Heart-Warming Mother-Daughter Wedding Photos

This wedding was held in the groom's hometown, where his mother had spent her life raising him. They shared a nostalgic moment in the place where it all began as they danced to "Godspeed" by the Dixie Chicks.

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We Are Family

Christian Oth of Christian Oth Studio

These grooms decided to bring their moms out onto the floor together, where they danced as a new family unit to "Be My Baby" by The Ronettes.

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Poignant Lyrics

NBarrett Photography
Loving Ways to Include Your Mother in the Wedding

This groom and his mother danced to "If I Could" by Regina Bell—a song that she chose because the lyrics reminded her of her son.

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Heartfelt Find

Lang Thomas Photography

This mother-son duo showed off their moves to Frank Sinatra's "Young at Heart."

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Sweet Melody

Olivia Leigh Photographie

"You Are the Sunshine of My Life" by Stevie Wonder was the soundtrack to this emotional dance.

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An Uplifting Note

Tanja Lippert Photography

This pair took to the dance floor as Josh Groban's "You Raise Me Up" played.

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Says It All

Austin Gros Photography

The groom and his mom twirled to "The Way You Look Tonight" at his celebration in New Orleans.

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Lovely Quartet

Jennifer Emerling

The bride and groom danced with their father and mother, respectively, to "Lovely Day" by Bill Withers.

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Perfect Piece

Odalys Mendez

This pair chose "Lover's Concierto" by The Toys as the soundtrack to their dance, with Susan sharing the song with her father and Cartter with his mother.

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Wonderful Moment

Landon Jacob

John and his mother swayed to "What a Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong. 

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