First Dance Wedding Songs Top 25

DanceTime’s picks for the top 25 First Dance Wedding Songs from across the web. These songs were selected by dancers for their great rhythms and tempos, featuring an ensemble of brilliant artists, musicians and bands. The descriptions of these first dance wedding songs include the type of wedding dance style that best fits the songs. These first dance wedding songs are perfect for a romantic date or as the first dance for a bride and groom.

Recommended First Dance Wedding Songs

(BLUE titles are links to the lyric versions)

All Of Me  by John Legend

All Of Me by John Legend has a slow tempo that is a perfect rhythm for a nightclub two step or classic slow dance. It has a contemporary, romantic sound that makes it very popular among the first dance wedding songs. Since the optimal time for a wedding first dance averages three minutes, you might want to cut this song to less than three minutes or fade it out!

Recommend: Slow dance or Nightclub Two Step

A Thousand Years by Christina Perri

A Thousand Years by Christina Perri is beautiful, romantic song that has poetic lyrics and a lilting melody filled with rises and then falls. The lyrics, ” I have loved you for a thousand years…I’ll love you for a thousand years,” are perfect words for a bride and groom to dance to at their wedding first dance. The rhythm is a fast three beat waltz, referred to as Viennese tempo (see Waltz Dance Styles).

Recommend: Waltz (Viennese tempo)

At Last by Etta James

At Last by Etta James is a classic favorite with Etta’s sultry voice in the forefront and violins in the background. It is a slow, romantic, pulsating rhythm that is great for a nightclub two step routine. This song is timeless maintaining its popularity through the ages. It is always near the top on the lists of first dance wedding songs with lyrics like, “..and here we are in heaven, for you are mine at last.”

Recommend: Nightclub Two Step or Slow Dance

Better Together by Jack Jackson

Better Together by Jack Jackson is an upbeat contemporary song. The lyrics include themes of love and being together and the rhythm is upbeat; perfect for a moving dance genre like a ballroom foxtrot. The energy and tempo make it ideal for swing dancing too. The words, “it’s always better when we’re together,” makes it a great song for bride and groom as their first dance. It climbed to the top of the charts for first dance wedding songs remaining there for quite a long time and continues to be a popular song at weddings (see swing dance styles).

Recommend: foxtrot or swing

By Your Side by Sade

By Your Side by Sade is a fluid melody with a contemporary flavor and lyrics about being there, “by your side,” that are perfect for a couple who have just made vows to be there for each other for a lifetime. The theme is one of loyalty and trust, so important when starting a life journey together as husband and wife. This song is often included on the lists of first dance wedding songs. The rhythm is fantastic for the slow nightclub two-step dance genre or a classic slow dance. The lyrics, “by your side,” about sums it up for why this is a great choice for a first dance.

Recommend: Nightclub Two Step or classic slow dance

Carribean Blue  by Enya

Caribbean Blue by Enya is rich with rhythmic three-beat waves of sound and the soft, angelic voice of Enya. It contains a fast three-beat rhythm that is perfect for fast waltz also called Viennese waltz. The lyrics lilt with the musical instruments and mention several Greek gods of wind evoking a spiritual feeling about this song. The words ask, “if every man is true..” and says, “they say the sky, high above is Caribbean Blue.” This is one of the all-time beautiful melodies for dancing!

Recommend: Viennese waltz

Dark Waltz by Haley Westenra

Dark Waltz by Hayley Westenra is one of the most beautiful more recent waltz melodies. The song lyrics are sheer poetry, for example, “Sacred geometry| Where movement is poetry| Visions of you and me| Forever” and ” I’ll keep you company| In one glorious harmony| Waltzing with destiny forever| Dance me into the night| Underneath the moon shining so bright| Turning me into the light,” which bring in elements of the sacred, nature and destiny; all elements in the wedding ceremony, the vows and the first dance woven into the lilting rhythm of the waltz.

Recommend: American Waltz

Everything by Michael Bublé

Everything by Michael Buble is a peppy tune that evokes sunshine and good times. The music is breezy and great for a dance that moves around the dance floor like a foxtrot. The lyrics are spoken to lover, significant other and/or a bride like this one, “You’re every line, you’re every word, you’re everything,” and “Whatever comes our way, ah, we’ll see it through. And you know that’s what our love can do.”

Recommend: Foxtrot

First And Last Waltz* by Nickel Creek

First and Last Waltz by Nickel Creek is a popular instrumental wedding dance song (no lyrics)*. The melody has a lilting 3-beat rhythm that is perfect for waltz. Some brides and grooms prefer to the first dance wedding songs without lyrics. This beautiful waltz appears on many first dance wedding dance songs lists online. American waltz is a slow waltz, much slower than Viennese tempo waltzes. The slow waltz is sometimes called, English waltz, but this refers more to the dance style than the music; they do the English slow waltz in the United Kingdom and Europe!

Recommend: American Waltz (slow waltz)

It Must Be Love by Madness

It Must Be Love by Madness is a cheerful song with a peppy rhythm that is great for a moving dance. The repeating chorus of, “it must be love| love, love,” works so well for a bride and groom in the throws of love at their wedding reception. The length of 3 1/2 minutes is just right if you include an entrance and exit to the main part of the dance. This song appears on many first dance wedding songs lists; it is a fabulous choice for wedding couples.

Recommend: Foxtrot

I’m Yours by Jason Mraz

I’m Yours by Jason Mraz is a breezy melody with a soft, fluid voice that sings these lyrics, “Look into your heart| and you’ll find love| love love,” and, ” It’s your God-forsaken right to be| loved love loved| love love.” The theme of love is such a great fit for a couple’s wedding first dance. The lyrics repeat, “I’m Yours;” perfect for a bride and groom to dance their very first dance as husband and wife. This song’s rhythm is a foxtrot. This one appears on many first dance wedding songs lists and is a great choice for newly married couples.

Recommend: Foxtrot

I’ve Had The Time Of My Life by Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes

I’ve Had The Time of My Life by Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes is an all-time classic favorite wedding song for couples looking for a first weddding dance song. The melody is energizing with a syncopated rhythm that works for well for either mambo or salsa. It is a passionate song with lyrics like, “This could be love because|I’ve had the time of my life| No I never felt this way before.” In the movie they dance a fusion dance with a combination of  the mambo and slow dancing that is crafted into an amazing routine.

Recommend: Mambo or Salsa

Just Be by Paloma Faith

Just Be by Paloma Faith is a favorite at weddings for its theme of simplicity repeating lyrics that say, “Don’t say nothing, Just sit to next to me, Don’t say nothing, just be, just be.” It speaks to the ups and downs of life and a way to “wash it away.” This song has a medium tempo, 3-beat rhythm, making it an incredible song for waltz dancing.

Recommend: Waltz

Love song by Adele

Lovesong by Adele has a great rhythm for dancing and of course, Adele’s amazing voice singing lyrics like, “however far away, I will always love you.” It’s no wonder why this awesome song is on so many of the lists of favorite wedding first dance songs. It is sensual, romantic and a has a clear beat that is perfect for the nightclub two step.

Recommend: Nightclub Two Step

 

Lucky by Colbie Caillat and Jason Mraz

Lucky incorporates the blend of female and male voices with a strolling feel created by the strumming in the beginning. The lyrics brings in the concept of marrying one’s best friend with, “I’m Lucky I’m in love| with my best friend” and “Lucky we’re in| love every way.” This romantic song is the perfect length at 3:10 minutes and has a strong rhythm perfect for either a slow dance or nightclub two step.

Recommend: Nightclub Two Step or Slow dance

Make You Feel My Love  by Adele

Make You Feel My Love by Adele has the benefit of incredible musicality, Adele’s voice that evokes emotion along with poetic lyrics like, “Nothing that I wouldn’t do | go to the ends of the earth for you.” The rhythm works for a classic slow dance. In many ways, the lyrcis suggest this is more about one person telling another what they will do, “to make your feel my love.” And while with most brides and grooms dancing at their wedding reception any decision has already been made, none-the-less, this is a beautiful song both lyrically and musically.

Recommend: Slow Dance

Marry You by Bruno Mars

Marry Me by Bruno Mars has a youthful exuberance that gives it an air of excitement. The lyrics, “Who cares baby? I think I wanna marry you,” sounds easy and free in spirit. The rhythm works well for either a swing dance like East Coast swing (triple or single rhythm) or a foxtrot. The lyrics, “let’s just run girl,” makes the whole concept of getting married as easy, no complicated planning or preparations.

Recommend: Swing dance or Foxtrot

Mirrors by Justin Timberlake

Mirrors by Justin Timberlake is a perfect contemporary wedding first dance with its strong pulsing rhythm that is a great fit for the nightclub two step and lyrics like, “I don’t wanna lose you now, I’m lookin’ right at the other half of me” and “…we’re making two reflections into one,” that are ideal for a bride and groom to dance to at their wedding. This song is included on many first dance wedding songs lists as a popular choice for wedding couples.

Recommend: Nightclub Two Step

Sugar  by Maroon 5

Sugar by Maroon 5 is an energized contemporary tune with a sweet message in the lyrics including lines like, “Yeah, you show me good loving, make it alright, need a little sweetness in my life, you’re sugar, yes please,” and ” I just wanna be there where you are, and I gotta get, one little taste.” It’s a sweet song for a newly married couple’s dance on their wedding day! The energized rhythm is really great for a triple rhythm swing dance or a peppy foxtrot.

Recommend: Swing (triple) or Foxtrot

The Luckiest by Ben Folds

The Luckiest by Ben Folds is fantastic choice with its theme of timelessness. The lyrics include a repeating chorus of, “I am, I am, I am, the luckiest,” but also a strong message of love with, “I love you more, than I have ever, found a way to, say to you.” The rhythm is subtle and works well for a slow dance.

Recommend: Slow Dance or Nightclub Two Step

The Way You Look Tonight by Maroon 5

The Way You Look Tonight by Maroon 5 is a classic wedding song originally sang by Frank Sinatra. This version has a more energized rhythm making it is a very popular song among the top first dance wedding songs. The rhythm works for foxtrot, so it is a great song for a choreographed wedding first dance. This song is elegant and romantic with lyrics like, “There is nothing for me but to love you.”

Recommend: Foxtrot

Thinking Outloud  by Ed Sheeran Slow Dance

Thinking Outloud by Ed Sheeran is one of the top favorites on wedding websites for their first dance wedding songs suggestions and when you listen to it you will see why. It has a distinct rhythm that is great for nightclub two step or a slow dance but the dance choreography can be designed using the lyrics like, “People fall in love in mysterious ways, maybe just the touch of a hand.” It is a very romantic song with lyrics, “Me I fall in love with you every single day.”

Recommend: Slow Dance (Lyrical) or Nightclub Two Step

Wherever You Will Go by Charlene Soraia

Wherever You Will Go by Charlene Soraia starts soft then builds energy through the song. Lyrics like, “I’ll go wherever you will go,” and “I’ll stay with you for all of time,” evoke a sense of faithfulness and dedication and, “Run away with my hope, Run away with my love,” brings in the romantic element. And while the lyrics suggest a sense of hopefulness for the future, there is a touch of uncertainty too. The song leaves room for interpretation that some brides and grooms might appreciate.

Recommend: Nightclub Two Step

Stand By Me by Ben E. King

Stand By Me by Ben E. King is an all-time great classic love song that is so fitting for a bride and groom for their wedding first dance. The repeating lyrics of, “Stand By Me,” make this song perfect for couples who have just exchanged vows. This song has perservered time to stay a favorite romantic, slow dance song through the decades. The recent passing of Ben E. King has spiraled this song into popularity again. It has a strong, distinct rhythm that works well for a slow dance.

 Recommend: Slow Dance

You And Me by Lifehouse

You And Me by Lifehouse has a lilting rhythm and a subtle message in the lyrics that start with a question, “… I don’t why, I can’t keep my eyes off of you…” then later in the song, the words, “everything she does is beautiful, everything she does is right…” answer the question with the underlying message of love. Rather than directly speaking of love, the song draws a picture of how love works. The rhythm and tempo make it a great choice for either a slow dance or a Viennese waltz.

Recommend: Slow Dance (lyrical) or Viennese Waltz

Additional Wedding Dance Songs links

first dance wedding songs

(Someday by All-4-One & Michael Jackson’s Bad (Waltz & Freestyle Mash-Up)

First Dance Wedding Songs Sources

  • Wedj.com “Top 200 Popular First Dance Songs”
  • The Knot  “11 Hottest Wedding Songs for 2015”
  • Pop Sugar “100 Song Ideas For Your First Dance”
  • Watch Mojo.com “Top 10 Modern Wedding Songs”
(Photo from Ed Sheeran’s Thinking Outloud from YouTube video)

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