What is the number one wedding song of 2022?

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 Encore 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!

And if you haven’t booked your DJ or band to play your first dance track – we’ve got you covered! Encore is the UK’s #1 wedding musician supplier, with over 5000 acts ranging from sophisticated string quartets to raucous rock bands and everything in between. Browse our musicians here.

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And why not listen to our Top 10 selection while you scroll?

Need more general advice on planning your wedding music? Read our Ultimate Guide to Hiring Wedding Musicians (2022). 

Contents

• Most Popular First Dance Songs
• Best First Dance Songs
• Romantic First Dance Songs
• Upbeat First Dance Songs
• Modern First Dance Songs
• Indie First Dance Songs 
• Unusual First Dance Songs
• First Dance FAQs

Most Popular First Dance Songs

Spotify have analysed their algorithms and come up with the top 50 most popular first dance songs according to Spotify. [Source]

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

Here are a few of the best first dance songs which Spotify missed in their round-up! The songs that get chosen, again and again for first dances.

1. That’s When I Knew – Alicia Keys
2. Songbird – Eva Cassidy
3. Latch – Sam Smith
4. Love You ‘Till the End – The Pogues
5. You and I – Stevie Wonder
6. All of Me – Billie Holiday
7. For the Love of You, Pts. 1 & 2 – The Isley Brothers
8. Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You – Ms. Lauryn Hill
9. Songbird – Oasis
10. A Moment Like This – Kelly Clarkson
11. Like Teenage Gravity – Counting Crows
12. Faster – Matt Nathanson
13. La Vie En Rose – Edith Piaf
14. Inside Your Heaven – Carrie Underwood
15. They Can’t Take That Away From Me – Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong
16. There Will Be Time – Mumford & Sons featuring Baaba Maal
17. You to Me Are Everything – The Real Thing
18. From This Moment On – Shania Twain & Bryan White
19. Little Things – One Direction
20. Islands In the Stream – Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers
21. Respect – Otis Redding
22. Lady – Kenny Rogers
23. I’m a Believer – Smash Mouth
24. I’m Gonna Make You My Wife – the Whispers
25. Have You Ever Been In Love – Celine Dion
26. You’re All I Need to Get By – Aretha Franklin
27. Give Me Love, Ed Sheeran
28. Forever – Ben Harper
29. Dontchange – Musiq Soulchild
30. A Million Love Songs – Take That
31. Finally // beautiful stranger – Halsey
32. Yours – Russell Dickerson
33. Accidentally In Love – Counting Crows
34. Like I’m Gonna Lose You – Jasmine Thompson
35. You Are My Sunshine – Jasmine Thompson
36. Dreams Are More Precious – Enya
37. Falling In Love With You Again – Imelda May
38. Love You More – JLS
39. Everybody’s Free (To Feel Good) – Quindon Tarver
40. Brown Eyed Girl – Van Morrison
41. Only Wanna Be With You – Hootie and the Blowfish
42. We Will Dance – Steven Curtis Chapman
43. No One – Alicia Keys
44. Angels – Robbie Williams
45. Two Hearts – Phil Collins
46. Hero – Enrique Iglesias
47. Just the Way You Are – Bruno Mars
48. Love Is All Around – Wet Wet Wet
49. Run – Leona Lewis
50. Lay Your Heart Next to Mine – Steve Azar
51. Here Comes the Sun – The Beatles
52. The Reason – Hoobastank
53. You’re Still the One – Shania Twain
54. The Point of It All – Anthony Hamilton
55. Come Rain or Come Shine – Ray Charles
56. I Love You – Celine Dion
57. With A Girl Like You – The Troggs
58. The Way I Am – Ingrid Michaelson
59. Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic – Sleeping At Last
60. Say You Won’t Let Go – James Arthur
61. The Book of Love – Peter Gabriel
62. Sons and Daughters – Allman Brown
63. Over And Over Again – Nathan Sykes
64. Grow Old With You – Adam Sandler
65. Fly Me to the Moon – Frank Sinatra
66. All These Things – Elvis Costello
67. Put In All On Me – Ed Sheeran feat. Ella Mai
68. This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) – Natalie Cole
69. I’ll Be There – Jackson 5
70. Budapest – George Ezra
71. I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing – Aerosmith
72. Let There Be Love – Nat King Cole
73. When You Say Nothing At All – Ronan Keating
74. Greatest Day – Take That
75. 500 Miles – Sleeping at Last
76. What If – Colbie Caillat
77. Annie’s Song – John Denver
78. Best Part – Daniel Caesar feat. H.E.R.
79. Drops Of Jupiter – Train
80. Escapade – Janet Jackson
81. I Wanna Grow Old With You – Westlife
82. Crush – Dave Matthews Band
83. XO – John Mayer
84. Blessed – Thomas Rhett
85. Somewhere Over The Rainbow/What A Wonderful World – Israel Kamakawiwoʻole
86. You’ve Got the Love – Florence + the Machine
87. I Have Nothing – Whitney Houston
88. Walking On Sunshine – Katrina & The Waves
89. Work Song – Hozier
90. How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) – James Taylor
91. Hey Jude – The Beatles
92. You Do Something to Me – Paul Weller
93. Love – Lana Del Rey
94. Alone – Jessie Ware
95. Nothing’s Going to Stop Us Now – Starship
96. Kiss Me – Sixpence None the Richer
97. Halo – Beyoncé
98. One Great Mystery – Lady Antebellum
99. Come and Get Your Love – Redbone
100. I Believe In a Thing Called Love – Lemar

Romantic First Dance Songs

Make this a moment to cherish for a lifetime, by choosing a song who’s lyrics profess the beauty of love between two people. 

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

Your first dance is a chance to take a step away from the planning, the crowds, the bustling energy of a wedding. Why not take the opportunity to slow things down by choosing a more relaxed, down-tempo first dance song.  

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!

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

Going for more of a modern wedding? Why not choose a classy, contemporary song to kick off your wedding day dance. 

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. 

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

What to surprise your guests? Pick out a unique first dance song that will have everyone impressed with your good taste! 

Looking for a more in-depth guide to unique songs? Have a read of our Top 10 Unique First Dance Songs article. 

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

First Dance Songs FAQs

What is the most popular first dance wedding song?

Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sheeran came out as the number 1 wedding first dance song in Spotify’s analysis of top first dance songs.

Jewellerybox.co.uk, carried out research looking at which looked into user-created Spotify lists to find which songs have been used the most. They found that Christina Perri’s A Thousand Years was the most popular, appearing on 46 playlists. All the top first dance songs are included in our list above 🙂

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.

Should you choreograph your first dance?

Choreographing your first dance can be a nice way to take some of the awkwardness out of it and impress your guests.

However, make sure you don’t take it too seriously – the evening is about having fun after all!

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!

How do you make your first dance not awkward?

Your first dance should never be awkward! It’s a special moment for you and your new spouse to celebrate your marriage after the seriousness of the ceremony.

A few tips for making sure it’s not awkward are:

1. Choose a song you both love. The kind of song that when it comes on you both rush to the dance floor
2. Go for an upbeat song if you’re not the kind of couple that enjoys slow, smooshy music.
3. Keep it brief! Dance for a few minutes and then invite your family and friends onto the dancefloor.
4. Choregraphy. If you like a bit of planning, why not choreograph or at least plan a few moves to pull out so in the heat of the moment you have some reliable shapes to pull out!

Phew! You’ve reached the end of all 500 of our top first dance songs.

We hope you found the perfect one for your wedding amongst them all. If you still need a hand with advice on which music to book for your wedding, why not drop us a list message at [email protected] and one of our dedicated booking specialists will be happy to help.

In the meantime, you can also browse our selection of the UK’s top wedding musicians here.

Browse all Wedding Musicians →

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