The Bridal Waltz is traditionally the most important song of your wedding reception. This is the first dance of the newly married couple as husband and wife.

Married couple dancing outdoors

As modern music has replaced the traditional waltz, the bridal waltz is generally referred at the First Dance.

Of all the things that you do to prepare for your wedding, reviewing bridal waltz songs and choosing the right one for the two of you will be one of the most relaxing, romantic chores.

The music that you select will set the stage for that magic moment at the reception when the groom takes his new bride into his arms for their first dance as a married couple.

Well to get it right will take a little practice and some say around 12 hours is the amount of time you have to put into a 3 – 4 minute routine. You can either learn from online waltz lesson videos or a local dance instructor can teach you the right techniques.

The Waltz is usually performed shortly after the wedding speeches and / or when dessert is ready to be served by the catering staff.

Popular Bridal Waltz Songs

2014

Never Tear Us Apart (Re-release) – INXS
2014 | Youtube

2010’s

Crazy Girl – Eli Young Band
2011 | Youtube

I Won’t Give Up – Jason Mraz
2012 | Youtube

2000’s

Believe – Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
2009 | Youtube

Can I Have This Dance – High School Musical
2008 | Youtube

Come Away With Me – Norah Jones
2003 | Youtube

Edelweiss – The O’Neill Brothers
2007 | Youtube

It is You I Have Loved – Dana Glover
2003 | Youtube

So She Dances – Josh Groban
2006 | Youtube

This Years Love – David Gray
2008 | Youtube

We Are Man and Wife – Michelle Featherstone
2007 | Youtube

1990’s

Carribbean Blue – Enya
1991 | Youtube

Doug’s Tearful Waltz – Strictly Ballroom OST
1992 | Youtube

I’ll Be – Edwin McCain
1998 | Youtube

Kiss From a Rose – Seal
1994 | Youtube

Only One Road – Celine Dion
1994 | Youtube

♥ More 1990’s Waltz songs

1980’s

Could I Have This Dance – Anne Murray
1980 | Youtube

If You Don’t Know Me By Now – Simply Red
1989 | Youtube

Open Arms – Journey
1982 | Youtube

1970’s

Always & Forever – Heatwave
1977 | Youtube

Annie’s Song – John Denver
1974 | Youtube

Play Me – Neil Diamond
1972 | Youtube

Rainbow Connection – Kermit the Frog
1979 | Youtube

Take it to the Limit – The Eagles
1975 | Youtube

Three Times a Lady – The Commodores
1978 | Youtube

You Light Up My Life – Debbie Boone
1977 | Youtube

1960’s

At Last – Etta James
1961 | Youtube

Can’t Help Falling in Love – Elvis Presley
1961 | Youtube

Moon River – Andy Williams
1962 | Youtube

1950’s

Dance Only With Me – Perry Como
1958 | Youtube

Fascination – Nat “King” Cole
1957 | Youtube

Pre 1950’s

Minute Waltz – Frederic Chopin
1847 | Youtube

Nocturne No 2 – Frederic Chopin
1831 | Youtube

Waltz of the Flowers – Tchaikovsky
1870 | Youtube

More About the Bridal Waltz

The Bridal Waltz is one of the oldest styles of ballroom dancing and is a beautiful way to dance with your partner for the first time as a married couple… But how do you dance a Waltz?

Couple dancing the Bridal Waltz

The waltz is a 3 count dance and the two most popular styles are the Viennese Waltz (Fast) and English Waltz (Slow).

You will require a 3 count piece of music to learn your dance to but finding a modern piece of 3 step music may be a challenge.

The waltz first came into style in Austria in the mid-1600s. The word “waltz” comes from the German language, meaning to roll, glide, or turn.

Before the waltz was introduced, proper dancing was done in a group.

But with the waltz, two people faced each other and “gasp!” clasped one another as they circled the dance floor in gliding, turning movements.

Disapproving critics pronounced it to be sinful and scandalous!

Its simplicity, compared to complicated group dances, was one of the reasons that it grew to popularity over the decades. And, it cannot be denied that people simply loved dancing with their arms around one another. As it became accepted in royal courts throughout Europe, naysayers eventually were silenced.

In the early 1800s it was performed in the English court with much criticism in the newspaper of the day. Around 1835 it was introduced in America, but it did not gain acceptance in polite society for another fifteen years.

The Groom Invites the Bride

To properly invite his new wife to dance, the groom stands before her. He extends his left hand to her, and she takes it with her right hand. He then cups her right hand with both of his hands and then places his right hand on her left shoulder blade. She then responds by placing her left hand on his shoulder.

It’s a good idea for the bride to stand slightly off center, toward the groom’s right shoulder, where her left hand is placed. The reason for this is to avoid stepping on one another’s feet as the dance steps begin.

It is acceptable for the father to cut in and finish the dance with the bride. However, it’s more common for the bride and father to have a separate dance. The bridal waltz is a special time for the newlyweds.

Fast Waltz versus Slow Waltz?

Whether you prefer fast waltzes or slow ones really depends on your personal taste. Fast waltzes are played at up to 180 beats per minute, while slower ones are 90 to 105 beats per minute. Your choice depends upon which song expresses your love, and whether you prefer a faster or slower dance.

Here are some popular fast waltzes that you might want to choose for your reception:

The slower waltzes are more romantic:

Have a browse near the top of this page for more 3 step waltz ideas.

Does It Have to be Three-Step?

There are some great bridal waltz songs that will celebrate your love with words that are meaningful to you. Unless you plan to spend time practicing your dance or even taking traditional waltz lessons, why not select something beautiful that just speaks about your love?

The above are older songs but you’ll find some more modern first dance song ideas here.

Tips for Your Wedding Dance

First, check online or in your local area phone book for a dance studio. If you want to dance a proper waltz, call them and ask about lessons. You can even try a regular dance studio, where school students usually receive lessons, and ask if one of the teachers will spend a few sessions with you.

But it is also perfectly acceptable to just dance the way you dance, and you don’t have to choose a song identified as a waltz as long as it has meaning for you.

Also, visit Youtube.com and search for your favorite songs.

Many albums feature brief clips so that you and your fiance can hear possible bridal waltz songs together and choose the best one for the two of you.