Weddings

How to Choose The Best Wedding First Dance Song

wedding first dance song

It’s your wedding day, all eyes are on you, and suddenly the music starts; it’s time for your wedding first dance song!

Whether you love dancing or not, you’re going to feel a few nerves as you and your partner move onto the dance floor for the first time as a married couple. It’s too late to hope you’ve picked the right song, you’ve just got to go with it!

Of course, you’ve looked at this guide before and have already taken the time to choose the best possible first dance song. 

Choosing The Best Wedding First Dance Song

Things To Consider 

Before you take a look at some of the most popular first dance songs for your wedding, you need to consider what type of song is best suited to your special day.

Dancing Skills

Are you or your groom excellent dancers, do you feel like putting together a number similar to Pink and Channing Tatum? If you think you have the skills and the time to practice then this can be a very memorable first wedding dance, and a great bit of entertainment for all your guests.

Of course, you’re going to have to practice, but the end result will be worthwhile if you both are willing to learn and are able to move smoothly across the dance floor.

But, if you’re not so confident on the dance floor or have limited time to practice, you may feel it is better to stick to a more traditional slow dance. There is no shame in having a first wedding dance song as one that embraces your love for each other.

However, don’t forget the other styles of dance. You may be a natural at salsa, jazz, or even try a tap duet. The world really is your oyster and they’ll be no judges to mark you down, this is your special first wedding dance.

Type of Wedding

You do have to spare a few moments to think about the type of wedding you’re having. Dirty Dancing may be one of your all-time favorite movies but, when you have elderly relatives at your wedding, you’re going to have to decide if it is really the most appropriate first dance and song. 

After all, it’s nice for everyone to enjoy and appreciate the first song and dance on your wedding day.

Your Dress

It is also important to consider your wedding dress. You’ve spent a small fortune buying it, you look fantastic in it, do you really want to undertake a dance that involves you taking it off and wearing something else?

If the answer is yes then maybe Dirty Dancing is the right approach. If not, you’ll probably be thinking of a slightly more traditional approach to the song for your first wedding dance.

Listen To The Lyrics

As you start to narrow down your genre you’ll need to start listening to the words of your song choices. There will almost certainly be some lyrics that actually mimic the story of your own love, that makes them a great choice for the song to which you and your partner dance to for the first time on your wedding day.

Don’t forget, if you choose to have a live band they’ll be able to play most songs that you request, but, it does help to talk to them first. There is no point in having your heart set on a particular song only to find the band can’t play it.

Timing

There are short songs, long songs, and short songs with long versions. It’s worth checking the length of your chosen song before you commit. After all, do you really want to spend 5 minutes doing a slow dance with everyone watching?

You can always play just a segment of your favorite song if you don’t want your dance to last too long. 

Top Tip: If you and your groom have very different tastes in music its best to make your first song a slow, romantic one. You’ll both be comfortable with this.

The Most Popular First Dance Wedding Songs

Choose one of the following and you’ll be on the right track for life.

A Thousand Years – Christina Peri

The lyrics of this first dance song say it all “I have loved you for a thousand years. I’ll love you for a thousand more”.

Hero – Enrique Iglesias

What says it better than this:

“I can be your hero baby, I can kiss away the pain. I will stand by you forever, You can take my breath away.”

Marry Me – Train

“Maybe I’m amazed at the way you help me sing my song. Right me when I’m wrong, maybe I’m amazed at the way I really need you.”

Sparks – Coldplay

 “But I promise you this, I’ll always look out for you. That’s what I’ll do”

Your Song – Elton John or Ellie Goulding

“I hope you don’t mind that I put down in words. How wonderful life is while you’re in the world”

Wonderwall – Oasis

“I said maybe you’re gonna be the one that saves me. And after all, you’re my Wonderwall”

Make You Feel My Love – Adele

“Nothing that I wouldn’t do. Go to the ends of the Earth for you. To make you feel my love”

If I Ain’t Got You – Alicia Keys ft. Usher

“Some people want diamond rings. Some just want everything. But everything means nothing. If I ain’t got you”

XO – Beyonce 

“In the darkest night, I’ll search through the crowd
Your face is all that I see, I’ll give you everything”

Love On The Brain – Rihanna

“Baby you got me like ah, woo, ah. Don’t you stop loving me (loving me)
Don’t quit loving me (loving me). Just start loving me (loving me)”

All of Me – John Legend

“Cause all of me. Loves all of you
Love your curves and all your edges, All your perfect imperfections
Give your all to me, I’ll give my all to you
You’re my end and my beginning
Even when I lose I’m winning
‘Cause I give you all, all of me
And you give me all, all of you”

True Love – Pink ft. Lily Allen

“Why I’m still here, or where could I go
You’re the only love I’ve ever known
But I hate you, I really hate you
So much I think it must be
True love, true love
It must be true love
Nothin’ else can break my heart like
True love, true love
It must be true love
No one else can break my heart like you”

Some Classic Options

If you’re a lover of the classics then one of these is sure to appeal:

Fly Me To The Moon – Frank Sinatra

“Fill my heart with song, Let me sing forever more. You are all I long for. All I worship and adore”

Here & Now – Luther Vandross

“When I look in your eyes, there I’ll see. All that a love should really be. And I need you more and more each day”

Can’t Help Falling In Love – Elvis Presley

“Like a river flows surely to the sea. Darling so it goes, some things are meant to be”

As Time Goes By – Dooley Wilson

This ones from Casablanca, potentially the greatest romance ever told!

“And when two lovers woo. They still say, ‘I love you. On that, you can rely. No matter what the future brings, As time goes by.”

As – Stevie Wonder

“As around the sun, the earth knows she’s revolving. And the rosebuds know to bloom in early May. Just as hate knows love’s the cure, you can rest your mind assure. That I’ll be loving you always”

In My Life – The Beatles

“Though I know I’ll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I’ll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more”

LOVE – Nat King Cole

“Love is all that I can give to you. Love is more than just a game for two. Two in love can make it”

The Best Is Yet To Cook – Frank Sinatra

“Come the day you’re mine. I’m gonna teach you to fly. We’ve only tasted the wine. We’re gonna drain the cup dry”

Let’s Get It On – Marvin Gaye

“I know and you know what I’ve been dreaming of, don’t you baby?
My whole body makes that feelin’ of love, I’m happy
I ain’t gonna worry, no I ain’t gonna push
I won’t push you, baby, woo”

The Bottom Line

You simply need to remember that there is no right or wrong when it comes to picking your wedding first dance song. 

You and your groom will have to agree on the song and the type of dancing you’re going to do. If you can agree then you’ve found your song, the rest should fall in place around it!

Also, check out this guide to choosing the wedding ceremony song.

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