Top First Dance Wedding Songs of All Time
Are you looking for ideas for first dance wedding songs? The best first dance wedding song is one that means something to you and your partner. Did you date for a long time before finally setting a date? Then “A Thousand Years by Christina Perri” might be a great fit. Have you and your partner gone through challenges? Maybe “I Won’t Give Up” is more your speed.
Some couples choose wedding songs that best describe how they feel. “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran is a popular choice. One of our favorites is “You Are the Best Thing” by Ray La Montagne. But if you’re looking for even more top first dance wedding song choices, keep reading!
Where did the first dance tradition come from?
In medieval times, the guest of honor would begin a ball with a first dance. This guest would normally be the highest attendant on the social ladder (like a King) or a hero. Although balls have been largely replaced by clubs, the first dance tradition lives on in weddings.
Top First Dance Wedding Songs of All Time
While some couples still kick off their reception with a waltz, the first dance is now normally a modern song with modern moves.
Because the first dance at a wedding is such a time honored tradition, picking the perfect song can be stressful or seem downright impossible. We’ve compiled a list of the top first dance wedding songs of all time to get you started.
What are the best first dance wedding songs? The Salamanders band has played for hundreds of weddings across the country. From large weddings to small, formal weddings to casual celebrations, we’ve pretty much seen it all. Whether you’re looking for something classic such as “Unforgettable” by Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole or more off beat and casual like “Island in the Sun” by Weezer, we have ideas for you!
Below are some of our favorite first dance wedding songs.
1. “Unchained Melody” by the Righteous Brothers-- voted as the most popular first dance wedding song choice in a recent study done by The Black Tux
“Oh, my love, my darling
I've hungered, for your touch
A long, lonely time”
2. “Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran-- at the top of Spotify’s Top 50 First Dance Songs
“And darling I will be loving you 'til we're 70
And baby my heart could still fall as hard at 23
And I'm thinking 'bout how people fall in love in mysterious ways
Maybe just the touch of a hand”
3. “At Last” by Etta James
“You smiled, you smiled oh and then the spell was cast
And here we are in Heaven
For you are mine at last”
4. “Can’t Help Falling In Love” by Elvis Presely
“Take my hand, take my whole life too
For I can't help falling in love with you
Like a river flows, surely to the sea
Darling so it goes, some things are meant to be”
5. “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You” by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons
“At long last love has arrived
And I thank God I'm alive
You're just too good to be true
Can't take my eyes off you”
6. “Fly Me to the Moon” by Frank Sinatra
“You are all I long for
All I worship and adore
In other words, please be true
In other words, I love you”
7. “You Are the Best Thing” by Ray LaMontagne
“The way you move me, it's crazy
It's like you see right through me
And make it easier
Believe me, you don't even have to try”
8. “Make You Feel My Love” by Adele
“I'd go hungry; I'd go black and blue
And I'd go crawling down the avenue
No, there's nothing that I wouldn't do
To make you feel my love
9. “Everything” by Michael Buble
“And I can't believe, uh, that I'm your man
And I get to kiss you, baby, just because I can
Whatever comes our way, oh, we'll see it through
And you know that's what our love can do”
10. “Wonderful Tonight” by Eric Clapman
“I feel wonderful because I see
The love light in your eyes
And the wonder of it all
Is that you just don't realize
how much I love you”
11. “Your Song” by Elton John
“I hope you don't mind
That I put down in words
How wonderful life is
while you're in the world”
12. “Stand By Me” by Ben E. King
“If the sky that we look upon
Should tumble and fall
Or the mountains should crumble to the sea
I won't cry, I won't cry
No I won't shed a tear
Just as long as you stand, stand by me”
13. “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong
“I see skies of blue and clouds of white
The bright blessed days, the dark sacred nights
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world”
14. “Groove is in the Heart” by Deee-Lite--first pick by Hannah Broffman for BAZAAR Bride
“Your groove, I do deeply dig
No walls, only the bridge, my supper dish
My succotash wish
I couldn't ask for another
No, I couldn't ask for another
15. “All of Me” by John Legend
“'Cause all of me
Loves all of you
Love your curves and all your edges
All your perfect imperfections”
16. “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” by Aerosmith
“Then I kiss your eyes
And thank God we're together
And I just want to stay with you in this moment forever
Forever and ever”
17. “Truly, Madly, Deeply” by Savage Garden
“I'll be your dream, I'll be your wish, I'll be your fantasy.
I'll be your hope, I'll be your love, be everything that you need.
I'll love you more with every breath, truly madly deeply do”
“Kiss from a Rose” by Seal
“There is so much a man can tell you, so much he can say
You remain my power, my pleasure, my pain
To me, you're like a growing, addiction that I can't deny
Won't you tell me, is that healthy, baby?
18. “Marry Me” by Train
“Now that the weight has lifted
Love has surely shifted my way
Marry me
Today and every day
19. “My Girl” by the Temptations
“I've got so much honey the bees envy me
I've got a sweeter song than the birds in the trees
Well I guess you'd say
What can make me feel this way?”
What’s your favorite first dance wedding song that you’ve heard? What did you pick to dance to at your wedding and what made you choose that song? Let us know in the comments below!