5 Professonal Tips: How To Choose The Right Wedding Dance Song
(Songs lists suggestions included)
A couple’s first dance as husband and wife is a beautiful and magical time.
To look amazing, feel confident and be comfortable, most couples have some wedding dance lessons before their big day because ultimately, dancing needs practice in order for the steps and choreography to feel natural, elegant and effortless.
Where does it all start? By choosing that perfect first dance song or songs!
Whether you have a special song or not, it is important to consider some of the following aspects when deciding on your First Dance song. Keep in mind that your dance teacher will be able to teach you to dance to any type and style of song so don’t overthink the dance steps or choreography, focus on the song itself.
1. Think About Your Relationship
Identify some songs that are meaningful to you as a couple. Some couples already have a song that they designate as “our song,” but other couples may need to put in more effort to arrive at the best first dance song for them. Some tips to help identify your “special song” could be:
- Think back to your first date, kiss, or first time you told each other “I love you.” If there was a song playing, consider using it as your first dance song.
- Write down the names of artists or bands you saw together in concert. You may be able to find an appropriate first dance song among them.
- Think back to any memorable moments or events you’ve shared and identify if there was any particular song attached to that moment.
Tip: Don’t forget to search through our extensive First Dance song suggestion list below! You might just need to be reminded of some songs which will trigger your perfect song.
2. Find A Song With A Strong Beat
People tend to choose slower, more soulful romantic melodies for their First Dance songs because they are the easiest to slow dance to, however, make sure to find a song with a strong beat to it. The beat of a song is similar to heartbeats; it is a consistent beat that determines the pace of a song. The perfect song should not be too fast or too slow and if you can find that steady beat and tap your foot to it, you should be able to find the tempo. Make sure that both you are your partner are comfortable moving to that specific beat and that it doesn’t have the bride jumping around in her dress and sky-high heels.
Note: An important thing to clear up here is that if couples are going to take dance lessons, we strongly suggest for them to use a recording of their song on the big day, and not a live band. With a recording, you know exactly what you’re going to get on the day! From the tempo, rhythm, musical interpretation, bass, loudness etc. A small change in these can be enough to throw some couples off so remember that you have been practicing your first dance to a recording in your dancing lessons – don’t change this in the last minute and risk things going differently than you have practiced!
3. How Do You Want Your Dance To Look?
Romantic? Elegant? Simple? Fun? Traditional? Contemporary? 
Upbeat? Slow and smooth? Mix of 3 different styles of dances? Depending on the style you like, you can choose a song that carries the same feel. Another way which can help identify the look of the dance is to match your style with your overall wedding theme (if applicable). For example, if you choose an “Old Hollywood Glamour” theme for your wedding, a foxtrot or jazz standard would be appropriate, but one of your pop-rock favorites may not fit the mood.
4. Listen To The Lyrics
The melody of a song may sound sweet and romantic but that doesn’t mean it’s appropriate for a wedding. Listen to the lyrics and make sure there aren’t any negative hidden meanings or inappropriate language. Some songs may have beautiful melodies or nice choruses, but when you examine the lyrics, you may find they are inappropriate for a wedding – many love songs are about break-ups or unrequited love.
5. Time Your Song
The ideal length for the perfect First Dance song is around 3 minutes, but remember that if you switch tempos, for example if your slow song mixes into an upbeat Top 40’s song, you can extend the total dance by adding another 1 minute or so. The length of your song takes your guests into consideration and ensures they don’t get restless or bored with an overly long, slow song. Your aim is to draw them into your magical dream dance, but then finish the illusion before they can snap out of it themselves, ensuring a memorable and alluring First Dance. Of course, if you decide to include a father-daughter dance or to get the bridal party involved, it’s usually recommended to treat them as separate dances (and songs) that are shorter than the bride and grooms first dance song; around one and a half minutes is plenty.
Note: In our studios we are fully equipped to edit the songs for you at no extra cost, to any length that may be needed!
So That’s It!
Now that you are ready to choose your perfect First Dance song, have a look through our song suggestions below. When you have chosen your song or made a shortlist, don’t forget to book in your complimentary Wedding Dance Lesson with us! Our friendly and experienced teachers can take all the stress of your wedding dance away and leave you looking amazing, feeling confident and comfortable on the dance floor for the big day.
Tip: Don’t leave it until the last minute though! We recommend to all couples to get started at least 5 to 6 months before the wedding day. For more information on our wedding dance lessons click here to read more →
Classic First Dance Song Suggestions
Here are some classic wedding song suggestions that are still going strong:
- “At Last” (Etta James)
- “As Time Goes By” (from Casablanca)
- “Come Rain or Come Shine” (Ray Charles)
- “Because You Loved Me” (Celine Dion)
- “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” (Elton John)
- “Can’t Help Falling In Love” (Elvis Presley)
- “Chances Are” (Johnny Mathis)
- “Close To You” (The Carpenters)
- “Could I Have This Dance?” (Anne Murray)
- “Dream A Little Dream” (Mamas & the Papas)
- “Embraceable You” (Nat King Cole)
- “Endless Love” (Diana Ross & Lionel Richie)
- “Fascination” (Jane Morgan)
- “Fever” (Peggy Lee)
- “Forever and Ever, Amen” (Randy Travis)
- “Forever” (Kenny Loggins)
- “From This Moment” (Shania Twain & Brian White)
- “Grow Old With Me” (Mary Chapin Carpenter)
- “Here And Now” (Luther Vandross)
- “I Finally Found Someone” (Barbra Streisand & Bryan Adams)
- “I Only Have Eyes For You” (The Flamingos)
- “I Will” (The Beatles)
- “If I Loved You” (from Carousel)
- “It Had To Be You” (Harry Connick, Jr.)
- “Lady In Red” (Chris DeBurgh)
- “Love Theme To Romeo & Juliet” (from Zeffirelli’s Romeo and Juliet)
- “Marry Me” (Neil Diamond & Buffy Lawson)
- “One Moment In Time” (Whitney Houston)
- “Our Love Is Here To Stay” (Billie Holiday)
- “So This Is Love” (James Ingram)
- “Something” (The Beatles)
- “Somewhere” (from West Side Story)
- “The Best Is Yet To Come” (Frank Sinatra)
- “The Rose” (Bette Midler)
- “True” (Spandau Ballet)
- “Unforgettable” (Nat King Cole)
- “Up Where We Belong” (Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warrens)
- “Wedding Song (There Is Love)” (Captain & Tennille)
- “We’ve Only Just Begun” (The Carpenters)
- “When I Fall In Love” (Nat King Cole)
- “Will You Marry Me?” (Vonda Shepard)
- “Woman” (John Lennon)
- “Wonderful World” (Louis Armstrong)
- “You Are So Beautiful” (Joe Cocker)
- “Your Song” (Elton John)
Current First Dance Song Suggestions
Here are some current popular favorites to keep in mind:
- “Perfect” (Ed Sheeran)
- “Thinking Out Loud” (Ed Sheeran)
- “All Of Me” (John Legend)
- “Marry You” (Bruno Mars)
- “A Thousand Years” (Christina Perri)
- “Everything” (Michael Buble)
- “Come Away With Me” (Norah Jones)
- “Better Together” (Jack Johnson)
- “Unconditionally” (Katy Perry)
- “Marry Me” (Train)
- “I Choose You” (Sarah Bareilles)
- “To Love Somebody” (Michael Buble)
- “Just the Way You Are” (Bruno Mars)
- “Just a Kiss” (Lady Antebellum)
- “I Won’t Give Up” (Jason Mraz)
- “Because You Loved Me” (Shania Twain)
- “The Best Day of My Life” (American Authors)
- “Happy” (Pharell Williams)
- “From This Moment” (Shania Twain)
