Yourfirst dance on your wedding dayisromantic, personal, and unforgettable. So, of course, you need to findthe perfect tuneto mark the special occasion. Finding the right song to play can be a tough task, though. Do you want to go classic or modern? Slow or fast? With all the love songs out there, the options are practically endless.
A survey conducted by The Black Tux of over 900 married couples from all age groups revealed some of the most requested first dance songs in the industry. The study found that "Unchained Melody" by The Righteous Brothers was the most popular choice overall, withclassic love songsby Etta James, Frank Sinatra, and Elvis Presley earning a spot in the top 15.
More contemporary songs from artists like John Legend, Ed Sheeran, and Adele also made the ranks. If the top charts aren't your jam, fear not—we have the best selection of first-dance wedding songs that are anything but ordinary. Whatever your taste, choose something that you and your partner will both love and cherish for years to come.
Ahead, we've rounded up 75 of the best first dance songs for your wedding.
01of 75
"All of Me," by John Legend
Lyrics of Love: "Give your all to me/I'll give my all to you/You're my end and my beginning"
02of 75
"Like I'm Gonna Lose You," by Jasmine Thompson
Lyrics of Love: "So I'm gonna love you/Like I'm gonna lose you/I'm gonna hold you/Like I'm saying goodbye"
03of 75
"500 Miles," by Sleeping at Last
Lyrics of Love: "But I would walk 500 miles/And I would walk 500 more/Just to be the man who walked a thousand miles/To fall down at your door"
04of 75
"Unchained Melody," by The Righteous Brothers
Lyrics of Love: "Oh, my love, my darling/I've hungered for your touch"
05of 75
"Amazed," by Lonestar
Lyrics of Love: "I want to spend the rest of my life with you by my side/Forever and ever"
06of 75
"Perfect Duet," by Ed Sheeran and Beyoncé
Lyrics of Love: "But darling, just kiss me slow/Your heart is all I own/And in your eyes, you're holding mine"
07of 75
"I Don't Want to Miss a Thing," by Aerosmith
Lyrics of Love: "The sweetest dream will never do/I'd still miss you, babe/And I don't want to miss a thing"
08of 75
"The Way You Look Tonight," by Frank Sinatra
Lyrics of Love: "There is nothing for me but to love you/And the way you look tonight"
09of 75
"At Last," by Etta James
Lyrics of Love: "At last my love has come along/My lonely days are over and life is like a song, oh yeah"
10of 75
"Sons and Daughters," by Allman Brown
Lyrics of Love: "And I, I'll wrap myself/Around your heart/I'll be the walls of his heart"
11of 75
"Yours," by Russell Dickerson
Lyrics of Love: "I came to life when I first kissed you/The best me has his arms around you/You make me better than I was before/Thank God I'm yours"
12of 75
"Kiss Me," by Ed Sheeran
Lyrics of Love: "And your heart's against my chest, your lips pressed in my neck/I'm falling for your eyes, but they don't know me yet/And with a feeling I'll forget, I'm in love now"
13of 75
"Escapade," by Janet Jackson
Lyrics of Love: "Come on baby, let's get away/Let's save our troubles for another day"
14of 75
"Sweetest Thing," by Allman Brown
Lyrics of Love: "You're the sweetest thing that I ever did see/Like a bird taking way/Tears that set you free"
15of 75
"Speechless," by Dan + Shay
Lyrics of Love: "And I'm speechless/You already know that you're my weakness/After all this time I'm just as nervous"
16of 75
"My Best Friend," by Tim McGraw
Lyrics of Love: "I fall in love all over/Every time I look at you"
17of 75
"Give Me Love," Ed Sheeran
Lyrics of Love: "All I want is the taste that your lips allow/My, my, my, my, oh give me love"
18of 75
"Your Song," by Elton John
Lyrics of Love: "I hope you don't mind/That I put down in words/How wonderful life is while you're in the world"
19of 75
"A Thousand Years," by Christina Perri
Lyrics of Love: "I have died every day, waiting for you/Darling, don't be afraid, I have loved you for a thousand years"
20of 75
"Marry Me," by Train
Lyrics of Love: "Forever can never be long enough for me/Feel like I've had long enough with you"
21of 75
"I Am Yours," by Andy Grammer
Lyrics of Love: "Still can't believe it when you say you're mine and/I am yours, I am yours, I am yours"
22of 75
"Back to You," by Twin Forks
Lyrics of Love: "Follow the signs right back to you/Back to you, back to you/I know they wind right back to you"
23of 75
"That’s When I Knew," by Alicia Keys
Lyrics of Love: "That's when I knew I fell in love/That's when I knew you were the one"
24of 75
"Have You Ever Been in Love," by Céline Dion
Lyrics of Love: "Have you ever been in love/You could touch the moonlight"
25of 75
"In Case You Didn’t Know," by Brett Young
Lyrics of Love: "In case you didn't know/Baby I'm crazy 'bout you/And I would be lying if I said/That I could live this life without you"
26of 75
"Falling Like the Stars," by James Arthur
Lyrics of Love: "We're fallin' like the stars, fallin' in love/And I'm not scared to say those words with you, I'm safe"
27of 75
"Only Wanna Be With You," by Hootie and the Blowfish
Lyrics of Love: "I just want to love you, but you wanna wear my ring/Well there's nothing I can do/I only wanna be with you"
28of 75
"Thinking Out Loud," by Ed Sheeran
Lyrics of Love: "And darling I will be loving you 'til we're 70/And baby my heart could still fall as hard at 23"
29of 75
"Can't Take My Eyes off You," by Frankie Valli
Lyrics of Love: "I love you, baby/And if it's quite alright/I need you, baby/To warm the lonely night"
30of 75
"Can't Help Falling in Love," by Elvis Presley
Lyrics of Love: "Take my hand/Take my whole life too/For I can't help falling in love with you"
31of 75
"Work Song," by Hozier
Lyrics of Love: "When my time comes around/Lay me gently in the cold dark earth/No grave can hold my body down/I'll crawl home to her"
32of 75
"XO," by John Mayer
Lyrics of Love: "Your heart is glowing/And I'm crashing into you/Baby kiss me, kiss me"
33of 75
"This Kiss," by Faith Hill
Lyrics of Love: "It's the way you love me/It's a feeling like this"
34of 75
"Make You Feel My Love," by Adele
Lyrics of Love: "No, there's nothing that I wouldn't do/To make you feel my love"
35of 75
"I Won't Give Up," by Jason Mraz
Lyrics of Love: "Well, I won't give up on us/Even if the skies get rough/I'm giving you all my love/I'm still looking up"
36of 75
"Hold Me," by Stevie Wonder
Lyrics of Love: "So hold me, baby hold me/Say you'll never let me go"
37of 75
"Teenage Dream," by Boyce Avenue
Lyrics of Love: "My heart stops when you look at me/Just one touch now baby I believe this is real"
38of 75
"January Wedding," by The Avett Brothers
Lyrics of Love: "I understand because my heart and hers are the same/And in January we're gettin' married"
39of 75
"Fresh Eyes," by Andy Grammer
Lyrics of Love: "So suddenly I'm in love with a stranger/I can't believe that she's mine"
40of 75
"Lay Your Heart Next to Mine," by Steve Azar
Lyrics of Love: "It will be all right/When you hold me tight/And you lay your heart next to mine"
41of 75
"You Are the Best Thing," by Ray LaMontagne
Lyrics of Love: "Believe me, you don't even have to try/Oh, because/You are the best thing"
42of 75
"There Will Be Time," by Mumford & Sons feat. Baaba Maal
Lyrics of Love: "And in the cold light, I live to love and adore you/It's all that I am, it's all that I have"
43of 75
"Come Rain or Come Shine," by Ray Charles
Lyrics of Love: "I'm gonna love you/Like no one's loved you/Come rain or come shine"
44of 75
"You Are," by Lionel Richie
Lyrics of Love: "And my love you'll see/We'll stay together, just you and me/I've got so much love"
45of 75
"Dreams Are More Precious," by Enya
Lyrics of Love: "Come see, close your eyes/Come see, give me your sorrow/And I keep watch for you"
46of 75
"Faster," by Matt Nathanson
Lyrics of Love: "Yeah you own me/And you make my heart beat faster, faster"
47of 75
"First Day of My Life," by Bright Eyes
Lyrics of Love: "This is the first day of my life/I'm glad I didn't die before I met you/But now I don't care, I could go anywhere with you"
The Ultimate Guide to Wedding Music
48of 75
"Crush," by Dave Matthews Band
Lyrics of Love: "Just as long as you're around/And here I'll be dancing on the ground"
49of 75
"Home," by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
Lyrics of Love: "Ah, home, let me come home/Home is wherever I'm with you"
50of 75
"Latch," by Sam Smith
Lyrics of Love: "How do you do it, you got me losing every breath/What did you give me to make my heart beat out my chest"
51of 75
"You and Me," by the Wannadies
Lyrics of Love: "But it's you and me/And we'll always be together/You and me, always, and forever"
52of 75
"Happy," by Pharrell
Lyrics of Love: "Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth/Because I'm happy"
53of 75
"Waste," by Phish
Lyrics of Love: "A dream it's true/But I'd see it through/If I could be/Wasting my time with you"
54of 75
"We Will Dance," by Steven Curtis Chapman
Lyrics of Love: "Sometimes we dance as one/And feel the beating of each other's hearts"
55of 75
"The Luckiest," by Ben Folds Five
Lyrics of Love: "And in a white sea of eyes/I see one pair that I recognize/And I know/That I am/I am/I am/The luckiest"
56of 75
"Better Together," by Jack Johnson
Lyrics of Love: "Yeah, we'll look at the stars when we're together/Well, it's always better when we're together"
57of 75
"Spend My Life With You," by Tamia & Eric Benet
Lyrics of Love: "Can we just feel this way together 'til the end of all time/Can I just spend my life with you"
58of 75
"I'm Gonna Make You My Wife," by the Whispers
Lyrics of Love: "I'm gonna make you my world/You be my morning light/The star at night/Or the air I breathe"
59of 75
"Man on Fire," by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
Lyrics of Love: "Only one desire/That's left in me/I want the whole damn world/To come dance with me"
60of 75
"Lucky," by Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat
Lyrics of Love: "I'm lucky I'm in love with my best friend/Lucky to have been where I have been/Lucky to be coming home again"
61of 75
"Never Let Me Go," by Florence + The Machine
Lyrics of Love: "Never let me go, never let me go/And the arms of the ocean are carrying me/And all this devotion was rushing over me"
62of 75
"Love You Like I Used To," by Russell Dickerson
Lyrics of Love: "Didn't know I could ever love you more than I did/But baby I do, I don't love you like I used to, no"
63of 75
"Girl You're Alright," by Paul Otten
Lyrics of Love: "All her friends tell me she's got a halo/I think I knew that right from the get-go"
64of 75
"Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic," by Sleeping at Last
Lyrics of Love: "Every little thing she does is magic/Everything she does just turns me on/Even though my life before was tragic/Now, I know my love for her goes on"
65of 75
"You & I (Nobody in the World)," by John Legend
Lyrics of Love: "All of the stars, you make them shine like they were ours/Ain't nobody in the world but you and I/You and I"
66of 75
"Say You Won't Let Go," by James Arthur
Lyrics of Love: "I know I needed you/But I never showed/But I wanna stay with you until we're grey and old"
67of 75
"You're Still the One," by Shania Twain
Lyrics of Love: "You're still the one I run to/The one that I belong to/You're still the one I want for life"
68of 75
"Mine Would Be You," by Blake Shelton
Lyrics of Love: "Baby, if I had to choose/My best day ever/My finest hour, my wildest dream come true/Mine would be you"
69of 75
"Who Would Have Thought," by Dylan Dunlap
Lyrics of Love: "Who would have thought that you'd make me love California?/And that's saying a lot, 'cause I hated it here before ya"
70of 75
"You Are My Sunshine," by Jasmine Thompson
Lyrics of Love: "You are my sunshine/My only sunshine/You make me happy/When skies are gray"
71of 75
"From the Ground Up," by Dan + Shay
Lyrics of Love: "And we'll build this love from the ground up/Now 'til forever it's all of me, all of you/Just take my hand"
72of 75
"Celestial," by Ed Sheeran
Lyrics of Love: "You make me feel/Like my troubled heart is a million miles away/You make me feel/Like I'm drunk on stars and we're dancing out into space"
73of 75
"Lover," by Taylor Swift
Lyrics of Love: "Can I go where you go?/Can we always be this close forever and ever?/And ah, take me out, and take me home (forever and ever)"
74of 75
"Anyone," by Justin Bieber
Lyrics of Love: "Dance with me under the diamonds/See me like breath in the cold/Sleep with me here in the silence/Come kiss me, silver and gold"
75of 75
"this is how you fall in love," by Chelsea Cutler and Jeremy Zucker
Lyrics of Love: "Wherever we go/What glitters is gold/You'll be my best friend/Until we grow old"
FAQ
When do we do the first dance at our wedding?
Traditionally, the first dance kicks off thedancing portionof the reception, so it occurs after the meal. Many couples, however, choose to do the first dance at the beginning of the reception during their grand entrance, or even after the cake cutting.
How long should the first dance be?
Your first dance should be around two-and-a-half to three-and-a-half minutes long. Longer can feel awkward, but too short and your videographer and photographer won't be able to properly capture the moment.
How do we pick a first dance song?
There's no one way to choose a first dance song, but to help you and your partner decide, you can look to your birth years for inspiration, narrow it down to a specific genre, and look carefully at lyrics of popular first dance songs to find what resonates. Consider things like the pace of the song and your ability to dance to it.
How do we dance for the first dance at our wedding?
There are a few ways you can do your first dance, and it will depend on the song you choose and your skill level. "The sway" is the classic first dance style, along with the Waltz and the Foxtrot. You can also opt for an original choreographed dance.
(Video) Rascal Flatts ~ My wish for you ~ with lyrics
FAQs
What is the number 1 first dance wedding song? ›
The study found that "Unchained Melody" by The Righteous Brothers was the most popular choice overall, with classic love songs by Etta James, Frank Sinatra, and Elvis Presley earning a spot in the top 15.
What is the number 1 wedding song? ›- 1. “ Can't Help Falling In Love” by Elvis Presley. ...
- 2. “ At Last” by Etta James. ...
- 3. “ Perfect” by Ed Sheeran. ...
- 4. “ Marry Me” by Train. ...
- 5. “ Bless The Broken Road” by Rascal Flatts. ...
- 6. “ All Of Me” by John Legend. ...
- 7. “ I Don't Want To Miss A Thing” by Aerosmith. ...
- 8. “
- Pick something significant and sentimental. ...
- Listen to your music libraries on shuffle. ...
- Call a friend or family member. ...
- Use your venue as inspiration. ...
- Steal your favorite celebrity couple's song choice.
The most popular mother-son wedding dance song is “My Wish” by Rascal Flatts.
What is the number one wedding song of 2022? ›To do this, Hitched used Spotify's Playlist Miner to search for the most popular songs from the most popular public playlists that used the terms “weddings” and “first dance” within them and can reveal that the most popular wedding song for 2022 is Perfect Duet by Ed Sheeran featuring Beyoncé.
What are the most cliche wedding songs? ›- The Chicken Dance.
- I Gotta Feeling by The Black Eyed Peas.
- Uptown Funk by Bruno Mars.
- Cupid Shuffle by Cupid.
- Don't Stop Believin' by Journey.
- Cotton Eye Joe by Rednex.
- Blurred Lines by Robin Thicke.
- A Thousand Years by Christina Perri.
- Chicken Dance.
- Hokey Pokey.
- DJ Casper – Cha-Cha Slide.
- Los Del Rio – Macarena.
- ABBA – Dancing Queen.
- Sister Sledge – We Are Family.
- Psy – Gangnam Style.
- Vanilla Ice – Ice Ice Baby.
Keep your first dance short and sweet. Your first dance should be between 2.5 to 3 minutes long. Unless you are a professional dancer, dancing in front of people for more than 3 minutes could feel like forever! Plus, you don't want to bore your guests with the limited dance moves you have.
How do you make your first dance memorable? ›- Pick a song that really suits you both. Don't choose one because it's popular at the time or conforms to older traditions. ...
- Keep it short and sweet. ...
- Think about your outfit and shoes. ...
- Learn a few basics. ...
- Be present in the moment and just enjoy.
Your first dance song is a very personal choice, and not all of your guests will “get it.” But that doesn't matter. Even if you're picking a more traditional song, there's no need to share it in advance with everyone.
Who picks the groom mother dance song? ›
Traditionally, the bride will choose the song for her and her father while the groom will choose the song for him and his mother. This becomes a special tribute to the parents – sort of a gift to the mother and father. Of course, it's perfectly fine for it to be a joint decision!
What is a good song for a mother and son to dance to at his wedding? ›A few songs we love for this include: “My Wish” by Rascal Flatts, “I Hope You Dance” by Lee Ann Womack, “Lovely Day” by Bill Withers, “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” by Israel “IZ” Kamakawiwo'ole, “What A Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong, or “I'll Stand By You” by The Pretenders.
What are the top five wedding songs? ›- Marry You - Bruno Mars.
- Love On Top - Beyoncé
- Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours) - Stevie Wonder.
- Thinking out Loud - Ed Sheeran.
- I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me) - Whitney Houston.
- All of Me - John Legend.
- Everything - Michael Bublé
- “My Girl” by The Temptations.
- "Uptown Funk" by Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars.
- “Stay With Me” by Sam Smith.
- “You're the One that I Want” from Grease.
- “I'm Yours” by Jason Mraz.
- “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)” by Whitney Houston.
- “Marry Me” by Train.
- “You and Me” by Dave Mathews Band.
- Perfect - Ed Sheeran. Play.
- Better Half of Me - Tom Walker. Play.
- All of Me - John Legend. Play.
- A Thousand Years - Christina Perri. Play.
- If You Love Me - Lizzo. Play.
- One In A Million - Rex Orange County. ...
- Thinking Out Loud - Ed Sheeran. ...
- Leave the Door Open - Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak.
Blush, grey, mauve, beige and even a pastel blue are just some of the many hues when aiming for this palette. If your heart is begging for more color, try taking a brighter shade and looking at the softer, or subdued version such as a dusty rose for a touch of pink or light sage from the green family.
Who typically pays for a wedding? ›You might be aware that the bride's family is expected to cover the majority of the wedding day costs, while the groom's family pays for a variety of extra activities, like the rehearsal dinner and the honeymoon.
Are veils in or out 2022? ›In 2022, pearl detailing on veils will continue to reign supreme.” Crystals, however, are also on the horizon, which Scott believes will become increasingly popular—particularly as “embellished shoes and accessories dominate the runway”.
What is the traditional first dance at a wedding? ›The groom dances with his mother, and then the groom's parents dance together. The dance floor then opens up to the bridesmaids and groomsmen. At many weddings, the groomsmen take turns dancing with the bride and the bridesmaids take turns dancing with the groom. After that, it's a free-for-all.
What are the first 3 dances at a wedding? ›Sequence of Dance Partners in Wedding
The bride and groom will dance first. This is the usual format. Then the parent dances with the couple - the father with the bride and the mother with the groom. The groom's father will then dance with the bride and the groom with the mother-in-law.
What is the most popular dance at weddings? ›
- Cupid Shuffle. ...
- Cha Cha Slide. ...
- Electric Slide. ...
- The Wobble. ...
- Y.M.C.A. ...
- The Chicken Dance. ...
- Cotton Eyed Joe. ...
- Old Town Road.
- Chicken Dance.
- Hokey Pokey.
- DJ Casper – Cha-Cha Slide.
- Los Del Rio – Macarena.
- ABBA – Dancing Queen.
- Sister Sledge – We Are Family.
- Psy – Gangnam Style.
- Vanilla Ice – Ice Ice Baby.
Traditionally, the bride and groom serve wedding cake in between dinner and dancing, often following the couple's first dance. This is mainly because cake cutting serves as a silent clue that guests can start heading home, especially if they aren't planning to stay for the after-party.
How long should a first dance last? ›Keep your first dance short and sweet. Your first dance should be between 2.5 to 3 minutes long. Unless you are a professional dancer, dancing in front of people for more than 3 minutes could feel like forever! Plus, you don't want to bore your guests with the limited dance moves you have.
What is the last dance at a wedding? ›What Is A Last Dance? The last dance is exactly what it sounds like, the final song before the wedding reception comes to a close. It's your chance to end the night in style by selecting a song that authentically represents you and your wedding theme.
Who dances after the bride and groom? ›Wedding Party Dance
The wedding party is next to hit the dance floor. The best man and bride will dance first, followed by the groom and maid of honour. The flower girl dances with the ring bearer, the bridesmaids with the groomsmen, and the attendants with one another or their dates.
Special dances between a bride and her father-in-law or the groom and his mother-in-law make each side of the wedding couple feel honored and included. These dances between a wedding couple and their spouses' parents are perfect for any wedding — traditional or not.
Which parent dance goes first at a wedding? ›Get your parents involved in choosing the songs because they may have song ideas that bond them to you. Normally, the bride's father and daughter will dance first, while the mother and her son dance next. Step parents may even stand in, depending on what the couple wants.
What are the 2 popular line dances? ›Some of the most popular country line dances today are: “Tush Push,” “Cotton Eyed Joe,” “Boot Scootin' Boogie,” “Hoedown Throwdown,” “Cowboy Cha Cha,” “Slap Leather,” “Swamp Thing,” and “Watermelon Crawl.” Some common non-country line dances are: “Electric Slide,” “Cha Cha Slide,” “Macarena,” “Cupid Shuffle,” and “ ...
When should the first dance be at a wedding? ›After the Meal
Traditionally, the first dance kicks off the dancing portion of the reception. So, most couples save the first dance until after the meal has been completed.
Is first dance before or after dinner? ›
Typically, most couples save the first dance until after the sit-down dinner has finished, however some prefer to head straight to the dance floor at the start of the reception, which is quite often referred to as the grand entrance.
What is the most overplayed song? ›- Seven Nation Army – White Stripes.
- Get Lucky – Daft Punk.
- Don't Want To Miss A Thing – Aerosmith.
- Love Shack – B-52s.
- Somebody That I Used To Know – Gotye.
- YMCA – Village People.
- How You Remind Me – Nickelback.
- Wagon Wheel – Darius Rucker.
Don't Marry Her – Beautiful South
We'd say this is easily one of the worst songs for weddings that's out there.
- Canon in D - Pachelbel. Play.
- At Last - Etta James. Play.
- Songbird - Fleetwood Mac. Play.
- Here Comes The Sun - The Beatles. Play.
- A Thousand Years - Christina Perri. Play.
- Somwhere Over The Rainbow - Israel Kamakawiwo'Ole. Play.
- Make You Feel My Love - Adele. Play.
- Isn't She Lovely - Stevie Wonder.