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300+ Best First Dance Wedding Songs of All Time

Your first dance is one of the highlights of your wedding. The ceremony is over and everyone is relaxing at the party. This is your chance to have a special romantic moment with your partner before the craziness of the partying descends again.

Here at Roses & Rings we’ve helped thousands of happy couples book musicians for their weddings and choose their first dance song. In this article, we’ve picked out the songs that come up again and again. Whether you want a popular tune, something off the beaten track, an upbeat number or a slow dance – you’ll find all the best songs here!

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Most Popular First Dance Songs

Couples are always on the lookout for the perfect first dance song. Something that represents their relationship, but is also popular enough to get everyone on the dance floor. Here are some of the most popular first dance songs to help you pick the perfect one for your wedding.

  1. Thinking Out Loud – Ed Sheeran
  2. You Are The Best Thing – Ray Montagne
  3. At Last – Etta James
  4. All of Me – John Legend
  5. A Thousand Years – Christina Perri
  6. Make You Feel My Love – Adele
  7. I Won’t Give Up – Jason Mraz
  8. Everything – Michael Buble
  9. Better Together – Jack Johnson
  10. Amazed – Lonestar
  11. Come Away With Me – Norah Jones
  12. First Day of My Life – Bright Eyes
  13. Let’s Stay Together – Al Green
  14. Lucky – Jason Mraz, Colbie Caillat
  15. Can’t Help Falling in Love – Elvis Presley
  16. Marry Me – Train
  17. Wonderful Tonight – Eric Clapton
  18. What a Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong
  19. Crazy Love – Van Morrison
  20. I’m Yours – Jason Mraz
  21. The Luckiest – Ben Folds
  22. How Long Will I Love You – Ellie Goulding
  23. Your Song – Elton John
  24. Marry You – Bruno Mars
  25. The Way You Look Tonight – Tony Bennett
  26. Tenerife Sea – Ed Sheeran
  27. Then – Brad Paisley
  28. Stand By Me – Ben E. King
  29. Unchained Melody – The Righteous Brothers
  30. Ho Hey – The Lumineers
  31. You Are So Beautiful – Joe Cocker
  32. Iris – The Goo Goo Dolls
  33. My Girl – The Temptations
  34. L-O-V-E – Nat King Cole
  35. Truly Madly Deeply – Savage Garden
  36. (Everything I Do) I Do It For You – Bryan Adams
  37. I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing – Aerosmith
  38. Kiss Me – Ed Sheeran
  39. You and Me – Lifehouse
  40. Chasing Cars – Snow Patrol
  41. My Best Friend – Tim McGraw
  42. Can’t Take My Eyes Off You – Andy Williams
  43. When a Man Loves a Woman – Percy Sledge
  44. Your Song – Ellie Goulding
  45. The Way You Look Tonight – Frank Sinatra
  46. Baby I’m Yours – Arctic Monkeys
  47. Stay With You – John Legend
  48. I Loved Her First – Heartland
  49. That’s How Strong My Love Is – Otis Redding
  50. You & Me Song – The Wannadies

Romantic First Dance Songs

It’s the first time you and your spouse are dancing together as husband and wife! If you’re looking for some romantic first dance wedding songs, we’ve got you covered. From classic love songs to modern hits, there’s something for everyone. So whether you’re looking for a slow and romantic song or something a little more upbeat, we’ve got you covered.

  1. Luckiest – Ben Folds Five
  2. (There Is) No Greater Love – Amy Winehouse
  3. Mirrors – Justin Timberlake
  4. She’s Got a Way – Billy Joel
  5. I Will Always Love You – Whitney Houston
  6. I Am Yours – Andy Grammer
  7. Love Me Like You Do – Ellie Goulding
  8. Loving You Easy – Zac Brown Band
  9. Perfect Duet – Ed Sheeran and Beyoncé
  10. Send It On – D’Angelo
  11. You’re Still the One – The Maine
  12. Groove Is in the Heart – Deee-Lite
  13. Yours – Ella Henderson
  14. My Heart Will Go On – Céline Dion
  15. Spend My Life With You – Tamia & Eric Benet
  16. Be My Baby – The Ronettes
  17. Thank You For Loving Me – Bon Jovi
  18. Falling Like The Stars – James Arthur
  19. It Had to Be You – Ray Charles
  20. I’m Kissing You – Des’ree
  21. Teenage Dream – Boyce Avenue
  22. Who Would Have Thought – Dylan Dunlap
  23. Romeo and Juliet – The Killers
  24. Waste – Phish
  25. Fresh Eyes – Andy Grammer
  26. Beyond – Leon Bridges
  27. Conversations in the Dark – John Legend
  28. Can’t Help Falling in Love – Elvis Presley
  29. Can’t Take My Eyes Off You – Frankie Valli
  30. At Your Best (You Are Love) – Aaliyah
  31. Hold Me – Stevie Wonder
  32. Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours – Stevie Wonder
  33. You Give Me Something – James Morrison
  34. Perfect – Ed Sheeran
  35. Next to Me – Emile Sandé
  36. Mystery of Love – Sufjan Stevens
  37. Wind Beneath My Wings – Bette Midler
  38. This Kiss – Faith Hill
  39. Let Me Love You – Mario
  40. At My Most Beautiful – R.E.M.
  41. The Power of Love – Jennifer Rush
  42. If I Ain’t Got You – Alicia Keys
  43. Always – Bon Jovi
  44. Endless Love – Lionel Richie & Diana Ross
  45. Sweetest Thing,” by Allman Brown
  46. I Found You – Alabama Shakes
  47. You Are – Lionel Richie
  48. I Get the Sweetest Feeling – Jackie Wilson
  49. Only Love – Ben Howard
  50. For Once In My Life – Stevie Wonder
  51. All You Need Is Love – The Beatles
  52. Better – Tom Baxter
  53. Wherever You Will Go – Charlene Soraia
  54. The One – Kodaline
  55. Moon River – Frank Sinatra
  56. How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) – Marvin Gaye
  57. Thank You – Led Zeppelin
  58. Just Like Heaven – The Cure
  59. Girl You’re Alright – Paul Otten
  60. You’re the First, the Last, My Everything – Barry White
  61. Speechless – Dan + Shay
  62. Home – Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
  63. Only You – Yazoo
  64. One Day Like This – Elbow
  65. The Look of Love – Dusty Springfield
  66. Us Against the World – Coldplay
  67. By Your Side – Sade
  68. Everything – Mary J. Blige
  69. The Makings of You – Curtis Mayfield
  70. Kiss From A Rose – Seal
  71. Loving You – Seafret
  72. Daydream Believer – The Monkees
  73. You & I (Nobody in the World) – John Legend
  74. A Sky Full of Stars – Coldplay
  75. The Wonder of You – Elvis Presley
  76. I Knew I Loved You – Savage Garden
  77. We Have All The Time In The World – Louis Armstrong
  78. Love at First Sight – Jordan Mackampa
  79. Back To You – Twin Forks
  80. In Case You Didn’t Know – Brett Young
  81. You and Me – the Wannadies
  82. She’s Always A Woman – Billy Joel
  83. Can You Feel The Love Tonight – Elton John
  84. Love You Like I Used To – Russell Dickerson
  85. Last Night On Earth – Green Day
  86. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face – Roberta Flack
  87. It Must Be Love – Madness
  88. Something – The Beatles
  89. You Make It Real – James Morrison
  90. You’re Beautiful – James Blunt
  91. Come What May – Ewan McGregor & Nicole Kidman
  92. I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) – The Proclaimers
  93. All About You – McFly
  94. Purple Rain – Prince
  95. January Wedding – The Avett Brothers
  96. Love Never Fails – Brandon Heath
  97. Honeybee – The Head and the Heart
  98. She’s The One – Robbie Williams
  99. To Know Him Is To Love Him  – Amy Winehouse
  100. I Belong to You (Il Ritmo Della Passione) – Eros Ramazzotti & Anastacia

Slow first dance songs

We’ve got you covered with the best slow first dance wedding songs. From classic crooners to modern ballads, we’ve collected the best slow songs to help you set the mood and make your first dance a memorable one.

  1. My Cherie Amour – Stevie Wonder
  2. Baby I Love You – Aretha Franklin
  3. Wild Horses – The Rolling Stones
  4. L-O-V-E – Nat King Cole
  5. Forever Like That – Ben Rector
  6. Like I’m Gonna Lose You – Meghan Trainor featuring John Legend
  7. Let’s Stay Together – Al Green
  8. All My Tomorrows – Frank Sinatra
  9. When A Man Loves A Woman – Percy Sledge
  10. Everything Has Changed – Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran
  11. A Moment Like This – Kelly Clarkson
  12. Maybe I’m Amazed – Paul McCartney
  13. Islands in the Stream – Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers
  14. Vision of Love – Mariah Carey
  15. Fade Into You – Mazzy Star
  16. Make You Feel My Love – Adele
  17. Everything – Michael Bublé
  18. I Swear – All-4-One
  19. Songbird – Eva Cassidy
  20. All of Me – John Legend
  21. Stand – Me – Ben E. King
  22. How Deep is Your Love – the Bee Gees
  23. I’ll Be Seeing You – Billie Holiday
  24. God, Your Mama, and Me – Florida Georgia Line ft. Backstreet Boys
  25. You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me – The Miracles
  26. Come Away With Me – Norah Jones
  27. Electricity (Acoustic) – Silk City, Dua Lipa, Mark Ronson, Diplo
  28. Wonderful Tonight – Eric Clapton
  29. Overjoyed – Stevie Wonder
  30. Thinkin Bout You – Frank Ocean
  31. Here and Now – Luther Vandrosss
  32. My Girl – The Temptations
  33. Keep on Loving You – REO Speedwagon
  34. XO – John Mayer
  35. How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved – You) – James Taylor
  36. Yellow – Coldplay
  37. 10,000 Hours – Dan + Shay featuring Justin Bieber
  38. Hold You in My Arms – Ray Lamontagne
  39. California Stars – Billy Bragg and Wilco
  40. Drunk in Love – Beyonce featuring Jay-Z
  41. All My Life – K-Ci & JoJo
  42. Somewhere Over the Rainbow – Israel Kamakawiwoʻole
  43. Africa – Toto
  44. Best Part – Daniel Caesar featuring H.E.R.
  45. Stuck On You – Lionel Richie
  46. No One – Alicia Keys
  47. Shallow – Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper
  48. Faithfully – Journey
  49. Forever – The Beach Boys
  50. At Your Best – Aaliyah
  51. Dancing in the Moonlight – King Harvest
  52. Crash Into Me – The Dave Mathews Band
  53. Truly Madly Deeply – Savage Garden
  54. Time After Time – Cyndi Lauper
  55. If I Ain’t Got You – Alicia Keys
  56. Say You Won’t Let Go – James Arthur
  57. Lover – Taylor Swift
  58. Unchained Melody, The Righteous Brothers
  59. Unforgettable – Nat King Cole
  60. The Way You Look Tonight – Frank Sinatra
  61. Thinking Out Loud – Ed Sheeran
  62. You’re Still the One – Shania Twain
  63. Marry Me – Train
  64. This I Promise You – *NSYNC
  65. I’m Yours – Jason Mraz
  66. Kiss Me – Sixpence None the Richer
  67. Heartbeats – Jose Gonzalez
  68. Lady – D’Angelo
  69. My Best Friend – Tim McGraw
  70. Remember When – Alan Jackson
  71. Slow Jam – Usher, Monica
  72. At Last – Etta James
  73. Your My Best Friend – Queen
  74. Just the Way You Are – Billy Joel
  75. Until the End of Time – Justin Timberlake featuring Beyonce
  76. Still the One – Shania Twain
  77. Like a Star – Corinne Bailey Rae
  78. You Send Me – Sam Cooke
  79. In My Life – The Beatles
  80. You Are the Best Thing – Ray LaMontagne
  81. Crazy Love – Van Morrison
  82. Because You Loved Me – Celine Dion
  83. By Your Side – Sade
  84. Adorn – Miguel
  85. Harvest Moon – Neil Young
  86. Your Song – Elton John
  87. Heaven – Bryan Adams
  88. Ain’t No Mountain High Enough – Marvin Gaye
  89. You & Me – Dave Matthews Band
  90. Better Together – Jack Johnson
  91. Amazed – Lonestar
  92. From the Ground Up – Dan + Shay
  93. I Will Always Love You – Whitney Houston
  94. Don’t Dream it’s Over – Crowded House
  95. Coming Home – Leon Bridges
  96. Can’t Take My Eyes Off You – Frankie Valli
  97. Love on the Weekend – John Mayer
  98. Have I Told You Lately – Van Morrison
  99. To the Moon and Back – Luke Bryan
  100. Can’t Help Falling in Love – Elvis Presley

 

Upbeat first dance songs

Not keen on a slow dance? Get the party started with a rollicking dance floor filler! These upbeat first dance wedding songs will have you and your guests dancing the night away!

  1. Here Comes Your Man – Pixies
  2. Starry Eyed – Ellie Goulding
  3. Kiss Me – Sixpence None the Richer
  4. Signed, Sealed, Delivered – Stevie Wonder
  5. One Day Like This – Elbow
  6. Dancing in the Moonlight – Toploader
  7. Champagne Kisses – Jessie Ware
  8. Uptown Funk – Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars
  9. Look At Where We Are – Hot Chip
  10. Always Be My Baby – Mariah Carey
  11. Cupid’s Chokehold – Gym Class Heroes
  12. God Only Knows – Beach Boys
  13. You Got the Love – Florence + The Machine
  14. You’ve Got a Friend in Me – Randy Newman
  15. I’ll Be There – Jess Glynne
  16. Adore You – Miley Cyrus
  17. Teenage Dream – Katy Perry
  18. Five Years Time – Noah & The Whale
  19. Crazy in Love – Beyonce ft. Jay Z
  20. Love Me Like You Do – Ellie Goulding
  21. I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) – The Proclaimers
  22. Cheerleader – OMI
  23. You Sexy Thing – Hot Chocolate
  24. Love on Top – Beyonce
  25. Best Part – H.E.R. ft. Daniel Caesar
  26. Happy – Pharrell
  27. We Found Love – Calvin Harris ft. Rihanna
  28. Fireflies – Owl City
  29. Love Me Like You – Little Mix
  30. When You’re Smiling – Louis Armstrong
  31. It Must Be Love – Madness
  32. Belter – Gerry Cinnamon
  33. Paper Rings – Taylor Swift
  34. Love on Top – Beyoncé
  35. I’m A Believer – The Monkees
  36. Home – Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
  37. Happy – Pharrell Williams
  38. Fine By Me – Andy Grammer
  39. Electric Love – Børns
  40. Come and Get Your Love – Redbone

Modern first dance songs

For couples who want a more modern wedding, why not choose a contemporary song to start off your wedding day dance? There are many great options available that are sure to get you and your guests moving.

  1. Coming Home – Leon Bridges
  2. Mi Razón de Ser – Banda MS
  3. Golden Hour – Kacey Musgraves
  4. XO – John Mayer
  5. Lovesong – Adele
  6. Speechless – Dan and Shay
  7. God Gave Me You – Blake Shelton
  8. Llegaste Tu – Luis Fonsi, Juan Luis Guerra
  9. You and Me – Dave Matthews Band
  10. Mirrors – Justin Timberlake
  11. Can’t Help Falling in Love – Haley Reinhart
  12. So Easy – Phillip Phillips
  13. Your Song – Ellie Goulding
  14. Hold You in My Arms – Ray LaMontagne
  15. Lucky – Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat
  16. All of Me – John Legend
  17. Old Fashioned – Cee-Lo Green
  18. I Am Yours – Andy Grammar
  19. Everything Has Changed – Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran
  20. Still Into You – Paramore
  21. Everything – Michael Buble
  22. First Day of My Life – Bright Eyes
  23. I Won’t Give Up – Jason Mraz
  24. Wanted – Hunter Hayes
  25. You Make My Dreams – Darrell Hall & John Oates
  26. God Must Have Spent a Little More Time on You – Boyce Avenue (‘NSYNC Cover)
  27. Ho Hey – The Lumineers
  28. Rather Be – Clean Bandit ft. Jess Glynne
  29. Nothin’ On You – B.O.B ft. Bruno Mars
  30. How Deep Is Your Love – Calvin Harris ft. Disciples

 

Indie First Dance Songs

If you’re not a huge fan of the pop hits, you might want to select a hip alternative first dance track to kick off your dancefloor. These 40 indie first dance songs are perfect for couples who want to add a little personality to their wedding day playlist.

  1. Re:stacks – Bon Iver
  2. Somewhere Only We Know – Keane
  3. Maps – Yeah Yeah Yeahs
  4. Mushaboom – Feist
  5. Wild Love – James Bay
  6. Accidentally in Love – Counting Crows
  7. Time is Dancing – Ben Howard
  8. Are You Gonna Be My Girl – Jet
  9. Wild Horses – The Rolling Stones
  10. Hold Back the River – James Bay
  11. Sweet Disposition – The Temper Trap
  12. Luh You – Anderson Paak
  13. All I Want is You – U2
  14. I Believe in a Thing Called Love – The Darkness
  15. Where to Begin – My Morning Jacket
  16. Jackie & Wilson – Hozier
  17. Heroes – David Bowie
  18. Do You Realise – The Flaming Lips
  19. Take Me to Church – Hozier
  20. Far Away – Nickelback
  21. Tonight, Tonight – The Smashing Pumpkins
  22. Higher Love – James Vincent McMorrow
  23. The Dress Looks Nice on You – Sufjan Stevens
  24. 100 Suns – Thirty Seconds to Mars
  25. I’m With You – Avril Lavigne
  26. Little Hands – Charlie Simpson
  27. I Found You – Alabama Shakes
  28. All Night – Beyonce
  29. Invincible – Muse
  30. Hackensack – Fountains of Wayne
  31. Toothpaste Kisses – The Maccabees
  32. Don’t Stop Me Now – Queen
  33. All the Small Things – Blink 182
  34. Sway – The Kooks
  35. Slow Show – The National
  36. She’s So Lovely – Scouting For Girls
  37. Make it Wit Chu – Queens of the Stone Age
  38. Thank You – Led Zeppelin
  39. Little Wing – Jimi Hendrix
  40. She Treats Me Well – Ben Howard

Unusual First Dance Songs

Choosing an unusual first dance song for your wedding can be a great way to surprise your guests and show off your good taste. There are a lot of great songs out there that would make for a great first dance, so take your time and pick the perfect one for you and your spouse.

  1. The Only Exception – Paramore
  2. Mountains – Biffy Clyro
  3. Nothing Else Matters – Metallica
  4. Every Other Freckle – Alt J
  5. You Make My Dreams – Hall & Oates
  6. You Are My Best Friend – Queen
  7. For Lovers – Pete Doherty, Wolfman
  8. Heart Shaped Box – Nirvana
  9. Delicate – Taylor Swift
  10. Islands – The XX
  11. Shine On – The Kooks
  12. We – Mac Miller, Cee Lo Green
  13. I’m Sticking With You – Velvet Underground
  14. Medicine – The 1975
  15. The Reason – Hoobastank
  16. I Wanna Be Yours – The Arctic Monkeys
  17. All of The Day and All of The Night – The Kinks
  18. Video Games – Lana Del Ray
  19. There is a Light That Never Goes Out – The Smiths
  20. Grow Old With Me – Tom Odell
  21. I Would Do Anything For You – Foster the People
  22. Everlasting Light – The Black Keys
  23. Fell in Love With a Girl – The White Stripes
  24. That Girl – Justin Timberlake
  25. Anyone Else But You – Moldy Peaches
  26. Only Love – Ben Howard
  27. Young & Beautiful – Lana Del Ray
  28. Last Night on Earth – Green Day
  29. Everlong – Foo Fighters
  30. Lovesong – The Cure
  31. Riptide – Vance Joy
  32. I Wanna Hold Your Hand – The Beatles
  33. All My Love – Led Zeppelin
  34. Pink + White – Frank Ocean
  35. Ophelia – The Lumineers
  36. Work Song – Hozier
  37. Sleepwalking – Modest Mouse
  38. I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor – Arctic Monkeys
  39. Crazy For You – Adele
  40. Is This Love? – Bob Marley

FAQ

What is the first dance at a wedding?

The first dance is a wedding tradition where the couple dance together for the first time in front of their family and friends. It is often performed after the meal and marks the opening of the dance floor when other family and friends join them on the dancefloor for the rest of the evening.

Who dances with the bride first?

The groom dances with the bride first. Then traditionally the order of first dances is:

Bride dances with her father, and the groom with his mother.
Bride dances with her father-in-law, and the groom with his mother-in-law.
The parents dance with each other
The bride dances with the best man, and the groom with the maid-of-honour
The ushers and bridesmaids join, and when the whole wedding entourage has dances together everyone else joins.
However, most couples only dance together and with their parents (first 2 steps).

How do couples choose their song?

Most couples choose a first dance song which was an important song in their relationship. A survey by the American speaker company Sonos revealed that more than half of couples polled (57 per cent) choose their first dance song based on the music they had listened to and reminded them of when they first got together.

It should also be a song you both feel comfortable dancing to in front of your friends.

Is the first dance before or after dinner?

Usually – after the dinner. Traditionally, it signals the beginning of the dancing part of the reception, so feeding your guests beforehand is a good idea. Full bellies mean full dancefloors!

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