The first dance is traditionally the most important song of your wedding reception and is the first dance of the newly married couple as husband and wife.
It’s no longer the simple, slightly awkward affair that it used to be and is more common for it to be elaborately planned and often choreographed.
It’s also no longer the tentative initiation of a new couple but rather a chance to show how cool and sophisticated you are.
So if you think it was just another wedding ritual, think again! Check out these first dance song ideas…
Popular First Dance Wedding Songs
2013
A Couple of Forevers – Chrisette Michele
2013 | Youtube
All of Me – John Legend
2013 | Youtube
La Vie En Rose – Andrea Bocelli & Edith Piaf
2013 | Youtube
Primetime – Janelle Monae ft. Miguel
2013 | Youtube
2010’s
Alone Together – Daley
2012 | Youtube
Count on Me – Bruno Mars
2010 | Youtube | Acoustic
Wanted – Hunter Hayes
2012 | Youtube | Country
Wasn’t Expecting That – Jamie Lawson
2011 | Youtube | Acoustic
2000’s
Don’t Know Why – Norah Jones
2003 | Youtube | Piano & Vocal
Hero – Enrique Iglesius
2001 | Youtube
Lets Get Married – Jagged Edge
2001 | Youtube | RnB
So High – John Legend
2005 | Youtube
The Blower’s Daughter – Damien Rice
2001 | Youtube
We’ve Got Tonight – Ronan Keating & Lulu
2002 | Youtube
1990’s
Amazed – Lonestar
1999 | Youtube | Country
Angels – Robbie Williams
1997 | Youtube
I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing – Aerosmith
1998 | Youtube
Into my Arms – Nick Cave
1998 | Youtube
Nothing Else Matters – Metallica
1992 | Youtube
1980’s
Have I Told You Lately – Van Morrison
1989 | Youtube
Islands in the Stream – Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers
1983 | Youtube | Country
Message to My Girl – Split Enz
1983 | Youtube
Never Tear Us Apart – INXS
1988 | Youtube
You are the Love of my Life – Roberta Flack & George Benson
1980 | Youtube
1970’s
Into the Mystic – Van Morrison
1970 | Youtube
Wonderful Tonight – Eric Clapton
1977 | Youtube
1960’s
At Last – Etta James
1961 | Youtube
Can’t Help Falling in Love – Elvis Presley
1961 | Youtube
1950’s
Unforgettable – Nat “King” Cole
1954 | Youtube
You’ll find more genre specific first dance songs here…
More about the First Dance Tradition
Do you, do you, do you wanna dance?
The famous Beach Boys song has a new meaning today, when everybody is dancing to some tune or the other.
With increasing popularity of mainstream television shows like ‘Dancing with the stars’ and ‘So you think you can dance’ and couples cozying up in weddings and school kids in prepping up for the prom, Western Society is waking up to a new hobby, which is fast becoming a lifestyle symbol.
Talking of rituals (or traditions), the ones at our weddings can be quite a handful. But the first dance is amongst the nicest and the most loved.
On the other hand, it can be quite a strain if you are not well prepared. A couple dance is about more than just getting jiggy. It requires a certain kind of comfort level and co-ordination. Moreover, it is not the best thing if you start your wedded life by making a fool out of yourself on the dance floor. It’s advisable to get a little practice before hand.
So, how do you prepare for the first dance?
The first step is to pick from the huge range of first dance wedding songs out there.
But before that, you have to figure out what kind of dance you are comfortable with—an elaborate salsa jig or a waltz or just simple square dancing. This would obviously depend on how good a dancing team you make.
‘The way you look tonight’ and ‘Our love is here to stay’ are some popular choices and most reputable wedding bands can play one or both of them.
If your song is slightly less popular, you need to inform the band well in advance or if you hired a DJ then no problems at all. These days there are several versions of any song, so make sure you get that right. A slight miscommunication with your wedding entertainment can wreck your performance.
But don’t get too worked up.
At the end of the day, it is the most special day of your life and don’t let something trivial ruin it for you.
But if you have been together for some time and have always wanted to venture into dancing there is no better time to start than the first dance. Where else would you get a more willing audience!
Like everything else about your wedding day, your first dance will always be special for you. Just be natural. Don’t try too hard. Don’t be afraid to experiment.
Jazz it up with a few spins, dips, twirls, and turns. Give your audience a reason to cheer!
You will probably sit for months to plan this, so get the most out of it. The spotlight will be on you so enjoy it while you can.