The wedding ‘first dance’ is a special moment where the newlyweds share a traditional dance for the first time as a married couple. This special moment is more than a dance, however. The first dance signals the opening of the dance floor by the newly married couple, signifying their new union through artistic means. 

When the couple enters the hall to perform their first dance, there is an air of beauty, love, and unity between the two of them. It is genuinely a memorable moment that will not be forgotten and often captured by photo and video via the guests in attendance.

Like most events, you want to be sure you have things meticulously organized when planning your wedding. For example, the timeline of the day should be arranged either according to tradition or logistics. With that in mind, the first dance typically occurs after the grand entrance, before the dining portion of the wedding. 

This first dance tradition comes to us from royalty, as the first dance was often used to signify the beginning of a ball. Usually, the host/hostess would announce the opening of the ball. More often than not, the first dance was initiated by an esteemed party or member of royalty.

Planning for Your Wedding First Dance

Selecting the perfect first dance song does not have to be a challenge. In terms of what makes a good wedding first dance song, there are many factors to consider.

• Do you want it to be sentimental?
• Is there a wedding first dance song that aligns with your love story?
• What genre of music do you have in mind?
• Do you want to keep the tradition of using a song that is either traditional or contemporary?
• Do you want a longer or shorter song for your first dance?
• Will this song be played live or by a dj?
• Factor in the environment, whether indoors or outdoors

Your wedding first dance song is the perfect opportunity to show both grace and good taste. Once you decide on the perfect wedding first dance song, you now have the option of adding a choreographed dance. 

A well-choreographed dance exudes the grace and togetherness the couple share. Whether you plan a destination wedding or something small and close to home, wedding choreography for the first dance sets the tone for the entire evening.

Our Top 25 Wedding First Dance Songs

With so many romantic, beautiful songs out there, deciding on just one might seem daunting at first, especially if you are a fan of many music genres. Below we have listed our top 25 picks, all of which are suitable for any wedding. Check them out!

1. Perfect – Ed Sheeran
2. At Last – Etta James
3. All of Me – John Legend
4. Thinking Out Loud – Ed Sheeran
5. Amazed – Lonestar
6. Can’t Help Falling in Love – Elvis
7. Your Song – Elton John
8. How Long Will I Love You – Ellie Goulding
9. Something – The Beatles
10. Let’s Stay Together – Al Green
11. I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing – Aerosmith
12. The Luckiest – Ben Folds
13. Wherever You Will Go – Charlene Soraia
14. A Thousand Years – Christina Perri
15. Stand by Me – Ben E. King
16. Iris – The Goo Goo Dolls
17. I’m Yours – Jason Mraz
18. Wonderful Tonight – Eric Clapton
19. Truly Madly Deeply – Savage Garden
20. This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) – Natalie Cole
21. I’m Kissing You – Des’ree
22. Run – Leona Lewis
23. You Make it Real – James Morrison
24. Everything I Do (I Do it for You) – Bryan Adams
25. Love You ‘Till the End – The Pogues 

From Irish style punk rock to country, R&B, and blues-rock, these songs include selections from all genres. These tried and true wedding first dance song ideas are perfect for any couple and several dance styles. 

Now that you have chosen your wedding first dance song, you can continue with the rest of the planning. From seating and meals to the guest list and videographer, weddings present quite a long to-do list. 

Wedding First Dance Choreography

Now you know the tone of the first dance, you can confidently hire a choreographer. A simple google search for wedding choreography near you is a great place to begin. Between reviews and ratings, finding the perfect choreographer is simple. 

Better yet, many wedding choreographers will meet and discuss options for free, so you get some idea of what they have to offer. Some even offer complimentary sessions to the couple in need, truly giving you a taste of their talents.

Capturing the Big Day

Photography and videography are such important vendors to hire when you are seeking to capture the special moments of your wedding. Investing in a professional photographer/videographer is the only way to ensure you get the best memories of the big day to cherish forever. At Dgass photography, we pride ourselves on the ability to capture those special moments. 

From engagements to weddings, we have you covered with all of the services you need to capture your wedding or elopement.

Set the Stage for Your Dream Wedding

From food to seating, location, dancing, and everything in-between, wedding planning can be overwhelming at times. That is why the passionate professionals at Dgass Photography work tirelessly to make things just a bit easier on the soon to be wed couple.

Located in Colorado, we are proud to provide you with photography and videography services that perfectly capture your experience. Invest in those cherished moments and an unforgettable experience with Dgass Photography. Let’s start planning your Colorado wedding or elopement today!