There will be many memorable parts of your wedding day, and the first dance is one of them. Choosing your first dance song can feel like you are picking a theme song for your wedding, but you also want to make it a special moment for you and your partner. That is why we have put together a helpful guide to give you some inspiration when picking that special song for your big day!

What is the History Behind the First Dance?

The first dance tradition dates back to the Elizabethan era and has since become a custom in many Western weddings today. Traditionally at celebrations, like a wedding, a grand ball would take place in honour of the newlyweds, but the first dance would have gone to the guest of honour. Since the guest of honour was usually a high-ranking member of society or the aristocracy, their dance was a sign the ball had begun.

As you can imagine, this is no longer the case. The first dance is now a special occasion reserved for the couple to take to the dance floor to enjoy the first dance as a man-and-wife. Guests usually gather around the dance floor to watch the couple’s first dance, with bright eyes filled with tears of joy. It is an unforgettable moment for all attending the wedding too.

How Long Should the First Dance Last?

Many couples choose to have only one song for their first dance, which lasts between 2.5 to 3 minutes. The dance floor is left clear for the bride and groom to enjoy a romantic dance and a special moment together.

Then once the first dance is finished, family and friends are invited to join the couple on the dance floor and dance the night away.

What Songs Mean Something To You Both?

The first dance song you choose at your wedding should be a song that has a deeper meaning to you both. This song should create memories of your special day for both of you to remember throughout your married life and look back fondly on that romantic moment.

Next, look at each other’s taste in music. You might have the same taste in music, or are you two like chalk and cheese when it comes to music? Our advice would be for you and your partner to search through both your Apple Music, YouTube Music and Spotify playlists and start listening to music together.

The idea is that you might discover lesser-known musicians, new bands, and new genres of music and start getting ideas of what first dance song you both would like. It doesn’t matter if the songs are a bit silly or classic contemporary songs, the final decision is both of yours to make.

Top 10 First Dance Songs

Here are the UK’s top first dance songs according to the music platform Spotify:

Thinking Out Loud – Ed Sheeran

You Are The Best Thing – Ray Montagne

At Last – Etta James

All of Me – John Legend

A Thousand Years – Christina Perri

Make You Feel My Love – Adele

I Won’t Give Up – Jason Mraz

Everything – Michael Buble

Better Together – Jack Johnson

Amazed – Lonestar

All these songs have beautiful lyrics with special meanings attached to them, which makes them the top choice for a wedding dance. Any live band, musician or talented friend can play these songs for you.

Another thing to consider when choosing your first dance song is to choose one genre of music and go from there. Listen to a few different types of music and then pick a particular song with a special meaning for you both.

Don’t Forget To Read The Lyrics

Once you have shortlisted several first dance songs, it is important to read the lyrics of each one. Why? Because whilst some may have a nice tune and seem fun and innocent, some may not mean what you think they do. So, for example:

● Every Breath You Take by the Police is actually about being a possessive and controlling stalker
● The Summer of 69 by Bryan Adams is about sex
● Poker Face by Lady Gaga is about her experimentations with bisexuality
● Waterfalls by TLC is about HIV, AIDS promiscuity
● Total Eclipse of the Heart by Bonnie Tyler is about vampires!
● When September Ends by Green Day is about a dying father.

Speak To Friends and Family

The first dance song is 100% the bride and groom’s decision, but it doesn’t hurt to get a bit of help from close family and friends. Especially if those people are married or have been married, feel free to ask them why they chose the song they had for their first dance.

Consider Your Guests

You may want to consider the tastes of your guests when choosing your first dance song, especially if you and your partner have unique music tastes like punk or dance orientated. You may decide against this if many of your guests wouldn’t like it, however, in the end, it is your wedding day, so if you want a particular first dance song, go for it!

Make Sure Your Song Suits Your Dress

Finally, make sure your song choice suits your dress. What do we mean by this? Simply that if you want to be one of the many couples now that do a full dance routine to their favourite song, then if you’ve got a huge dress and train, it’s not going to really work is it? Therefore, you may want a more traditional slow song to dance to with your partner.

Remember there is no perfect first dance song, so choose a wedding song you both feel comfortable dancing to, enjoy and have fun listening to.