Your first dance is one of the highlights of your wedding. This is your chance to have a special moment with your partner before the craziness of the partying descends again. But what song should you choose for your first dance wedding song?? With so many songs out there we know the options sometimes seem overwhelming….whether you are looking for a song that is more of a love letter to each other or a power ballad or just a fun song to dance too – there are so many great options out there! And maybe the song you choose seems a bit random but if it fits the two of you, then it’s perfect!! To help with the process, we’ve curated our favorite songs – from timeless classics to the unique songs you won’t hear at every wedding – so hopefully there will be a song for the two of you on this list!
{top photo by Briana Mary with planning by Tessa Lyn Events}
When is the first dance at my wedding?
We recommend scheduling the first dance for after dinner, as the first song of your wedding band’s first set. This is a great way to start the dancing and getting all your guests to congregate around the dancefloor to make the most of this special moment.
When should you choose your first dance wedding song?
You and your partner should have fun with this! No rush picking your song if you aren’t sure of what song. Talk about whether you want to enjoy a slow first dance or have a more upbeat first dance song – and then comes the fun part of choosing the song! You should have your song selected at least a month before your wedding – really just since you don’t want to be stressed with this decision the month before, you’ll have lots of other things to think about and this shouldn’t be one more thing to stress over!
How do you make your first dance special?
Some couples decide to choreograph a first dance number, some just take this time to really spend it with each other and soak up the day – there is no right or wrong answer! Whatever makes the two of you most comfortable. In fact, you don’t need a first dance if that isn’t your jam. Like we say, the only rule at your wedding is there are no rules. :)
How do you pick your first dance wedding song?
You might already have “your song” – whether it’s when you first met, a song from your first date, or when you first said I love You, many couples often already have a song. But if not, no worries! That’s what we are here for! We’ve been sharing weddings since 2008 and have collected couples’ first dance songs so we know a bit about what’s trending and what’s truly unique. Check out our list of songs to help find the best first dance song for your wedding…
{photo above by Avonne Photography}
Ready to hear our picks? Scroll through for some popular First Dance songs as well as some under-the-radar songs we’ll think you’ll love as well! We have a Spotify playlist at the end as well so you can listen to all the songs to find that perfect song! Put on the playlist, grab a glass of wine, and find that song!
Romantic First Dance Wedding Songs
- At Last – Etta James
- Luckiest – Ben Folds Five
- (There Is) No Greater Love – Amy Winehouse
- I’m Kissing You – Des’ree
- Perfect – Ed Sheeran
- Moon River – Frank Sinatra
- The Look of Love – Dusty Springfield
- Rewrite the Stars – Zac Efron, Zendaya
- Only Love – Ben Howard
- Find Someone Like You – Snoh Aalegra
- All of Me – John Legend
- Your Precious Love – Erykah Badu
- La Vie En Rose – Emily Watts
- Into My Arms – Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
- Crystal – Stevie Nicks
Slow First Dance Songs
- Let’s Stay Together – Al Green
- Maybe I’m Amazed – Paul McCartney
- I’ll Be Seeing You – Billie Holiday
- Shallow – Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper
- Crash Into Me – Dave Mathews Band
- Time After Time – Cyndi Lauper
- If I Ain’t Got You – Alicia Keys
- The Way You Look Tonight – Frank Sinatra
- Thinking Out Loud – Ed Sheeran
- Beyond – Leon Bridges
- Heartbeats – Jose Gonzalez
- Harvest Moon – Neil Young
- She Chose Me – Bruno Major
- You Are the Best Thing – Ray LaMontagne
- Coming Home – Leon Bridges
- Your Song – Elton John
- Make You Feel My Love – Adele
- Pure Imagination – Stephanie Tarling
- I Get To Love You – Ruelle
- Touching Heaven – Johnnyswim
- We are Man And Wife – Michelle Featherstone
Upbeat First Dance Songs
- You Make My Dreams (Come True) – Hall & Oates
- Fell in Love With a Girl – The White Stripes
- Lovesong – The Cure
- I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor – Arctic Monkeys
- Here Comes Your Man – Pixies
- Kiss Me – Sixpence None the Richer
- Uptown Funk – Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars
- Shut Up and Dance – WALK THE MOON
- You’ve Got the Love – Florence + The Machine
- Happy – Pharrell Williams
- I’m Yours – Jason Mraz
- Just Like Heaven – The Cure
- How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) – Marvin Gaye
- Better Together – Jack Johnson
- Can’t Take My Eyes Off You – Frankie Valli
- Let’s Stay Together – Al Green
- We Found Love – Calvin Harris ft. Rihanna
- Love on Top – Beyoncé
- Is This Love – Bob Marley & The Wailers
- Marry You – Bruno Mars
- Symphony – Clean Bandit ft Zara Larsson
- Everything – Michael Bublé
- Boogie Wonderland – Earth Wind and Fire
Indie First Dance Wedding Songs
- Sweet Disposition – The Temper Trap
- Re:stacks – Bon Iver
- Somewhere Only We Know – Keane
- Do You Realize?? – The Flaming Lips
- Tonight, Tonight – The Smashing Pumpkins
- I Found You – Alabama Shakes
- Loving You – Paolo Nutini
- Say You Won’t Let Go – James Arthur
- How Long Will I Love You – Ellie Goulding
- The One – Kodaline
- January Wedding – The Avett Brothers
- Happy Accidents – Saint Motel
- As Lovers Go _ Dashboard Confessional
- First Try – Johnnyswim
- Toothpaste Kisses – The Maccabees
- I’ll Wait – The Strumbellas
- Highs & Lows – Alexander Jean
- Swept Away – Avett Brothers
Pop/Rock/Hip Hop First Dance Songs
- Us Against the World – Coldplay
- You & Me – Dave Matthews Band
- Mirrors – Justin Timberlake
- Hold You in My Arms – Ray LaMontagne
- Lucky – Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat
- Walls – Tom Petty
- Love You For A Long Time – Maggie Rogers
- LOVE. – Kendrick Lamar, Zacari
- Chasing Cars – Snow Patrol
- In Your Arms – illenium, X Ambassadors
- Thank You – Led Zepplin
- A Sky Full of Stars – Coldplay
- Dancing in the Moonlight –Thin Lizzy
- Clear – NEEDTOBREATHE
- Party of Two – Jesse McCartney
Covers/Remix First Dance Songs
- XO – John Mayer
- Lovesong – Adele
- I Wanna Dance With Somebody – Ben Rector
- Imagine – Jack Johnson
- How Deep is Your Love – the bird and the bee
- Your Song – Ellie Goulding
- Sweet Child O’ Mine – Taken by Trees
- I Kissed a Girl – William Fitzsimmons
- Lover – Taylor Swift (First Dance Remix)
- May I Have This Dance (Remix) – Francis and the Lights featuring Chance the Rapper
- Run Away With Me – San Fermin
- L-O-V-E – Imaginary Future
- We Found Love – Tyler Ward
- Stay With Me – Angus & Julia Stone
- Friday I’m in Love – Janet Devlin
Country First Dance Songs
- Speechless – Dan + Shay featuring Tori Kelly
- More of You – Chris Stapleton
- I Am Yours – Andy Grammar
- God Gave Me You – Blake Shelton
- Better Together – Luke Combs
- Die a Happy Man – Thomas Rhett
- Yours – Russell Dickerson
- Making Memories of Us – Keith Urban
- Last Shot – Kip Moore
- To June This Morning – Ruston Kelly and Kacey Musgraves
- History in the Making – Darius Rucker
- Blessed – Thomas Rhett
- Darlin’ Companion – Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash
Listen to our Ultimate First Dance Wedding Song Playlist on Spotify
{photo above by Tews Visual}
What song are you planning to use for your First Dance? We’d love to hear in the comments!!
And if you are looking for songs for your Mother Son Dance or Father-Daughter Dance, be sure to check those curated lists as well!
Hurts – Darkest Hour♥️ Best music best lyrics
Wow, this was an intriguing article to read for sure. I appreciate everything you are doing mate. :)
First Dance with Partner is always Memorable, you post remind my days, Thanks you dear for sharing such a beautiful memories with us
Great mix of classic tunes and current hits. You can’t go wrong with Etta James or Al Green.
At last by Etta James
“… There is no right or wrong answer!” Absolutely. Whether choreographed, dancing spontaneously to your song, or no first dance at all – it’s your wedding, your choice. I suggest that if you opt for unchoreographed, to practice a little, especially if one or neither of you are “dancers.” That way you can avoid the old “high school sway.”
I am so confused with the songs. This post is definitely gonna help!
Life is Better With You…Michael Franti