It has been stated an infinite amount of times, and it shall be stated forever more: your wedding day is one of the best days of your life. Though, with such high stakes comes a lot of pressure; there is so much to think about and so much to organize before the big day arrives. In fact, a successful wedding day can be likened to a big piece of heavy machinery that does not function properly unless all the nuts and bolts are screwed in correctly.
Wedding preparation is lengthy. You must consider the venue and location, the guest list, the wedding attire, the food and drink, the entertainment and music, and so much more. And, within the entertainment and music bracket, there are a number of important decisions to be made – namely, what song are you going to dance to during the all-important First Dance?
Your first dance is the big moment at your wedding reception. It’s the first time you and your bride/groom come together and share an intimate moment, surrounded by your loved ones. However, choosing the right song to dance to in this special moment is a decision many couples find difficult. How are you supposed to choose just one song to sum up your entire relationship? A song that won’t age; a song that you won’t tire of in the years that follow. A song that is appropriate for the occasion, and that your guests can enjoy, too?
If you are struggling to think of the perfect song for your first dance, we have some advice for you.
Pick “Your Song”
Most couples will pick a song that has special meaning to them and their relationship. Maybe it’s the song that was playing in the bar where they first met. Maybe it’s the song that always seems to come on the radio when they are in the car together. Maybe the song is simply one that they both love and know all the words to.
Perhaps you and your spouse-to-be have a song that is “yours” but it doesn’t quite strike the right chord (i.e. is romantic or about love). If this is the case you should look at other versions and renditions of the song that better fit the occasion. A live wedding music band can also help to recreate your favorite song and even put a slight twist on it so that it is appropriate for the important first dance moment.
Consider a shared musical interest
If there isn’t a song that instantly springs to mind, you and your partner may have to do some musical research. There might not be a song that you both love significantly enough, but there may be a band or artist that you both listen to. If there is, you may choose to listen to their material and together choose your favorite song of theirs.
Decide on a tempo to dance to
Although the first dance is named as such, not all couples deem it necessary to actually dance. For many, a simple side-to-side swaying action suffices. Others may choose to perform a slow waltz, attending dance lessons to brush up on their moves so that the big moment is seamless and impressive. Some couples take it one step further and perform a choreographed musical number with help from the bridal party and groomsmen.
If you know what you want the vibe of your first dance to be, you should pick a song that correlates with your intended tempo, and use Spotify and YouTube to help narrow your search.
Connect with the lyrics
Another thing you can do to aid the selection process pays special attention to the lyrics in songs, and pick a song that aligns closely to your relationship journey and the message you want to portray.
Pick from a list of popular songs
If you’re stuck on which song to choose, consult this list for some musical inspiration.
- “River” – Leon Bridges
- “At Last” – Etta James
- “Young And Beautiful” – Lana Del Ray
- “I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing” – Aerosmith
- “Iris” – The Goo Goo Dolls
- “Skinny Love” – Bon Iver
- “Moon River” – Frank Sinatra
- “Thinking Out Loud” – Ed Sheeran
- “Love Song” – Adele
- “When I Fall In Love” – Nat King Cole
- “She’s Always A Woman” – Fyfe Dangerfield
- “I Will Wait” – Mumford & Sons
- “You Are The Best Thing” – Ray LaMontagne
- “Your Song” – Elton John
- “I Won’t Give Up” – Jason Mraz
- “All Of Me” – John Legend
- “Kiss Me” – Sixpence None The Richer
- “She” – Elvis Costello
- “Stay With Me” – Sam Smith
- “Riptide” – Vance Joy
- “Isn’t She Lovely” – Stevie Wonder
- “Can’t Help Falling In Love” – Elvis Presley
- “Marry You” – Bruno Mars
- “Make You Feel My Love” – Adele
- “Chasing Cars” – Snow Patrol
- “Work Song” – Hozier
- “Last Request” – Paulo Nutini
- “How Long Will I Love You” – Ellie Goulding
- “XO” – John Mayer
- “The Way You Look Tonight” – Tony Bennett
- “Better Together” – Jack Johnson
- “A Million Love Songs” – Take That
- “Waterloo Sunset” – The Kinks
- “When A Man Loves A Woman” – Percy Sledge
- “There You’ll Be” – Faith Hill
- “Halo” – Beyoncé
- “La vie en rose” – Louis Armstrong
- “I Have Nothing” – Whitney Houston
- “The One” – Kodaline
Don’t be afraid to be different
If you’re still struggling to choose the “right” wedding song for your big day, you should remove all the pressure off yourself and take a step back. At the end of the day, your wedding day should be about you and your partner, no one else. So, in order to make it special to you, and to ensure that you have the best time, you should pick whatever song is close to your heart, regardless of whether or not it is deemed “professional” or features on a list of popular wedding songs.
f you go with your gut feeling, you will never fail. Just remember to enjoy your special day, and the rest will work out just wonderfully.
Congratulations!
