You’re sitting with your wedding to-do list and you’ve just reached the item “choose a first dance song.” No big deal, right? And yet – you’ve been scrolling through Spotify for three hours, arguing with your partner about tempo, wondering if guests will fall asleep during a slow ballad… Sound familiar? Don’t worry, we’ve prepared a list of 50 romantic suggestions that will make this magical moment exactly as you’ve dreamed.
Why is choosing a first dance song so important?
The first dance is one of the most photographed moments of the entire wedding. Seriously – it’s the moment when all guests pull out their phones, and the photographer takes hundreds of shots. These are the photos you’ll be showing your children and grandchildren decades from now. That’s why it’s worth choosing a song that you not only like but that will also create beautiful, emotion-filled frames.
The tempo of the song matters. A song that’s too fast might result in blurry photos, and you’ll look out of breath. On the other hand, a slower ballad gives the photographer plenty of time to capture romantic glances and gentle gestures. Keep this in mind when choosing your song.
Classic romantic ballads – a timeless choice
Let’s start with classics that never go out of style. These songs have worked at thousands of weddings and still bring tears of emotion:
- Ed Sheeran – “Perfect” – the absolute hit of recent years, practically made for the first dance
- John Legend – “All of Me” – a moving declaration of love
- Elvis Presley – “Can’t Help Falling in Love” – a classic that never gets old
- Whitney Houston – “I Will Always Love You” – for brave couples with strong emotions
- Etta James – “At Last” – elegance in its purest form
- Frank Sinatra – “The Way You Look Tonight” – Hollywood glamour
- Nat King Cole – “Unforgettable” – timeless romance
- Ben E. King – “Stand by Me” – simple but incredibly moving
- Eric Clapton – “Wonderful Tonight” – gentle and full of feeling
- Stevie Wonder – “Isn’t She Lovely” – joyful and positive energy
Country and folk songs for the first dance
Maybe you want to dance to something with a country or folk feel? It’s a great choice, especially if you’re having a rustic or outdoor wedding. Here are our suggestions:
- Lee Brice – “I Don’t Dance” – subtle and incredibly romantic
- Dan + Shay – “Speechless” – a modern country classic
- Tim McGraw – “My Best Friend” – elegance and class
- Lonestar – “Amazed” – an emotional ballad
- Zac Brown Band – “Whatever It Is” – for couples with spirit
- Lady A – “I Run to You” – modern and moving
- Keith Urban – “Making Memories of Us” – powerful and full of feeling
- Rascal Flatts – “Bless the Broken Road” – made for weddings
- The Lumineers – “Ho Hey” – for couples who love indie folk
- Mumford & Sons – “I Will Wait” – a hit for the younger generation
Contemporary hits – for modern couples
If you’re looking for something fresher that guests hear on the radio, these suggestions are for you:
- Calum Scott – “You Are the Reason” – tearfully moving
- James Arthur – “Say You Won’t Let Go” – a story of everlasting love
- Lewis Capaldi – “Someone You Loved” – an emotion-filled ballad
- Adele – “Make You Feel My Love” – classic elegance in a modern version
- Bruno Mars – “Just the Way You Are” – a joyful declaration of love
- Christina Perri – “A Thousand Years” – known from “Twilight,” but beautiful regardless of context
- Kodaline – “The One” – Irish romanticism
- Passenger – “Let Her Go” – melancholic but beautiful
- Hozier – “Like Real People Do” – for couples who appreciate depth
- Vance Joy – “Riptide” – light and cheerful
Movie and musical songs
Love cinema? These songs will transport you (and your guests) straight to the silver screen:
- “A Whole New World” from Aladdin – magical and full of dreams
- “Shallow” from “A Star Is Born” – Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper in a duet
- “City of Stars” from “La La Land” – for jazz lovers
- “Thinking Out Loud” from “The Theory of Everything” – Ed Sheeran again
- “I See the Light” from “Tangled” – fairytale romance
- “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” from “The Lion King” – Elton John at his best
- “Come What May” from “Moulin Rouge” – theatrical elegance
- “My Heart Will Go On” from “Titanic” – Celine Dion’s classic
- “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” from “Armageddon” – Aerosmith for rock-loving couples
- “Time of My Life” from “Dirty Dancing” – if you’re planning a show-stopping routine!
For the bold – something different than a typical ballad
Don’t like classic slow dances? These suggestions will help you stand out:
- Queen – “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” – rockabilly with class
- The Proclaimers – “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” – energy and joy
- Michael Bublé – “Everything” – swing in a modern version
- Jack Johnson – “Better Together” – summer lightness
- Jason Mraz – “I’m Yours” – carefree and joyful
- Train – “Marry Me” – the title says it all
- The Beatles – “Here Comes the Sun” – an optimistic classic
- Van Morrison – “Brown Eyed Girl” – for brown-eyed brides
- Bob Marley – “Is This Love” – reggae at a wedding? Why not!
- Coldplay – “Yellow” – romantic rock
How to choose the one song?
Listen together. Sit down one evening with a glass of wine and listen to several options. Notice which one evokes the most emotions – that’s probably the right one.
Think about the lyrics. Make sure the words of the song fit your story. Some beautifully sounding songs have surprisingly sad or inappropriate lyrics.
Check the length. A typical first dance lasts 2-3 minutes. If the song is longer, ask the DJ to shorten it or plan a moment when parents and guests will join in.
Practice beforehand. Even if you’re not planning choreography, it’s worth dancing to your chosen song a few times. You’ll feel more confident on the dance floor, and the photos will look more natural.
Capture this moment – not just through the photographer’s eyes
The first dance is a moment you want to remember from every perspective. Your photographer will capture professional shots, but what about shots from the guests’ perspective? These spontaneous photos and videos often turn out to be the most touching.
The problem is that guests take photos on their phones and… they stay there forever. They either get lost among other photos or never make it to you. The solution could be PixFiesta – an app that lets you collect all guest photos in one place. Just place a QR code on the table, and anyone can add their shots without logging in or installing an app. This way, after the wedding, you’ll have not only professional photos but also dozens of spontaneous shots captured by your loved ones.
Practical tips for the first dance
Inform the photographer about your song choice. A good photographer will adjust their positioning to the tempo and character of the song. If you’re planning any special moments – a lift, a spin – tell them in advance.
Take care of the lighting. Talk to the DJ or the person in charge of lighting. Warm, soft lighting works better than harsh spotlights – both in photos and in reality.
Don’t worry about the steps. Seriously – no one remembers whether the dance was technically perfect. Guests remember the emotions, the glances, the smiles. Those also look the most beautiful in photos.
Summary
Choosing a first dance song is a decision that should come from the heart. Whether you choose classic Elvis, romantic Ed Sheeran, or a meaningful country ballad – the most important thing is that the song moves you and tells your story.
Also remember to capture this special moment. A professional photographer is essential, but it’s also worth collecting all the spontaneous shots from guests. With PixFiesta you can do this automatically – for an affordable price, you can be sure that no precious photo will be lost in the depths of someone’s phone.
Now turn on your favorite playlist, take your partner by the hand, and start practicing. Your first dance will be magical!
Try PixFiesta for free and collect all the memories from your big day in one place.