How To Choose Your First Wedding Song

Every year, one or two songs are released that seem almost as if they’ve been written exclusively for couples that are about to get married. These hits rocket into high rotation at weddings, owing to their ability to capture the love and commitment that two people have for one another.

Choosing the perfect song for your first dance isn’t about following trends, though. Instead, it’s an opportunity to reflect the way you feel for one another and who you are as a couple.

Wondering how exactly to choose the right wedding dance music? Read on.

Should we choose a traditional or modern song for our first dance?

If you attended a wedding in the mid-2000s, chances are you probably heard the falsetto of The Darkness’ “I Believe in a Thing Called Love”. While the hit felt like a fresh take on romance in 2004, by most couples’ third wedding anniversaries it sounded a bit tired.

Simply put, some of the best wedding dance songs are those that have stood the test of time. A great example is Etta James’ “At Last”. First released in 1960, the enduring classic continues to be one of the most popular wedding songs of all time. According to Spotify, it was only second in popularity to Ed Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud” in 2016.

With that being said, many modern songs—such as Beyonce’s “Halo” or John Legend’s “All of Me”—will age well and may even go on to become classics.

Basically, when it comes to choosing dance music for weddings, both modern and traditional tunes work. Just be sure to ask yourself: “Will we want to dance to this song at our 50th wedding anniversary?”

We’re pro at kitchen dance parties, but nervous about cutting a rug in front of our guests. What music do you suggest?

You’re not alone—unless you’re a trained ballroom dancer or have a choreographed dance prepared, performing for an audience can feel intimidating.

Stripped-back acoustic songs suit most couples, since no fancy footwork is needed. For example, “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran or “A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri are both solid choices for bridal dance songs. (We can only wonder if Sheeran’s first dance at his own wedding will be to “Perfect”, which he wrote for his fiance?)

Shorter songs can also take some of the pressure off. You may want to choose a song that’s three minutes or less, or speak with us to see if we can modify and shorten your favorite song.