Here’s What Your First Dance Song Says About You As A Couple

by Aria Millar · September 2, 2015

Planning a wedding is a stressful experience, and picking your first dance song can definitely add to the stress. The thought of dancing for the first time together as man and wife in front of all your guests can be nerve- wracking, especially if you and your partner aren’t big on public displays of affection or dancing, for that matter.

Image source: Google, copyright-free image under Creative Commons License

Even though your guests are mainly family and close friends, people will still be discussing your wedding and will be curious as to what song you will choose for the first dance. But this isn’t something you need to stress over. We’ve narrowed it down to 20 songs for you from a huge list of first dance wedding songs. Pick a song depending on the mood you’re looking to create, how long or short you want it to be, and what kind of music you and your fiancé like.

Not every couple is comfortable with public displays of affection during the dance, so we’ve also listed down songs to take the edge off and lighten the overall tense atmosphere.

1. Love Me Like You Do – Ellie Goulding

Why you’ll like it: If you’re looking for a modern first dance song, you’ve found just the one. ‘Love Me Like You Do’ by Ellie Goulding is catchy, fun, and something your guests will love to sing along to. This song is perfect for describing how you still can’t seem to get your eyes off each other.

Here’s how it goes:

You’re the light, you’re the night
You’re the color of my blood
You’re the cure, you’re the pain
You’re the only thing I wanna touch

2. Sparks – Coldplay

Why you’ll like it: Surely you’ve fought and made up a thousand times already, which is probably why you should pick this one. It’s nice and slow, so you won’t have to worry about your dance moves or tripping on your outfit. Just sway from side to side with your lover and let the music do its job!

Here’s how it goes:

But I promise you this
I’ll always look out for you
That’s what I’ll do

3. A Thousand Years – Christina Perri

Why you’ll like it: It’s so cute, you can’t help but love it. This song says how much the small things still matter to you as a couple, so it’s perfect as a first dance song. It’s full of love and we’re pretty sure that’s how you’ll be feeling when you get married, especially when it’s time for your first dance with your new spouse.

Here’s how it goes:

Darling, don’t be afraid
I have loved you
For a thousand years
I’ll love you for a thousand more

4. Marry You – Bruno Mars

Why you’ll like it: Everybody loves this song and it is probably the song you’ve wanted your better half to sing for you at one point or another. It’s full of love, and is lively, so if you’re looking for something other than the typical slow and romantic songs, this one should be ‘The Song’!

Here’s how it goes:

Is it the look in your eyes,

Or is it this dancing juice?

Who cares baby,

I think I wanna marry you.

5. I Do – Colbie Calliot

Why you’ll like it: This song sums up exactly how you’ve felt all your life before you met your fiancé and they changed your perception of love forever! It makes sense to have your first dance be to such a relatable song. You can dedicate this one to your new partner and surprise them by breaking into a move out of the blue along with your friends and other guests.

Here’s how it goes:

I promise I won’t turn around and I won’t let you down

You can trust I’ve never felt it like I feel it now

Baby there’s nothing, there’s nothing we can’t get through

So can we say

I do, I do, I do, do do do do do do doo

6. Better Together – Jack Johnson

Why you’ll like it: Most couples nowadays are looking to break out of the traditional slow song and look for something more upbeat. This song perfectly describes your approach towards life as a couple, and is a great option if you’re looking for something more modern and not too lively.

Here’s how it goes:

It’s not always easy and
Sometimes life can be deceiving
I’ll tell you one thing, it’s always better when we’re together

7. By Your Side – Sade

Why you’ll like it: It’s slow and perfect for when you’re extremely tired from all the preparations that led to the beautiful day. Your significant other makes you feel loved and assures you that they’ve got your back through it all. ‘By Your Side’ is soft, easy on the ears, and perfect for a time when you don’t have words to express how you feel, making it one of the best wedding first dance songs.

Here’s how it goes:

When you’re on the outside baby and you can’t get in
I will show you you’re so much better than you know

8. Can’t Help Falling In Love – Elvis Presley

Why you’ll like it: If you two aren’t big on words and all that PDA, this is a perfect first dance song. If you’re looking for something traditional, ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’ is perfect for you.

Here’s how it goes:

Like a river flows surely to the sea
Darling so it goes
Some things are meant to be

9. Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You – Frankie Valli

Why you’ll like it: Another slow and romantic song, you won’t have to move much if you pick this as your first dance song. Just take a circle every now and then, and you’re good to go! We like how dramatic it sounds! Surely, you’re a dramatic pair together if you like this one!

Here’s how it goes:

I love you baby and if it it’s quite all right
I need you baby to warm the lonely nights
I love you baby, trust in me when I say

10. Come Rain or Come Shine – Ray Charles

Why you’ll like it: Old songs definitely have a charm that you don’t find in the songs of today. If you’re a couple who likes making a dramatic entrance or likes putting on a show, ‘Come Rain or Come Shine’ is the song for your first dance together.

Here’s how it goes:

I’m gonna love you
Like nobody’s loved you
Come rain or come shine

11. Grow Old With Me – Mary Chapin Carpenter

Why you’ll like it: The crowd is going to be left speechless as you dance to this one along with your better half. It’ll be a sight to behold. You’re not afraid of showing your love and get pretty lost in your own world when you’re with each other.

Here’s how it goes:

Grow old along with me
Whatever fate decrees
We will see it through

12. If I Ain’t Got You – Alicia Keys featuring Usher

Why you’ll like it: The music in this song is just so lovely and soothing to the ears. Your partner isn’t as big on sweet gestures like you are, and that’s okay – your differences are what make you work so well together. If nothing, you’ll love to dance to this song just for its music. It’s slow, yet fresh and new.

Here’s how it goes:

Some people want diamond rings

Some just want everything
But everything means nothing
If I ain’t got you

13. Wonderwall – Oasis

Why you’ll like it: This song is definitely an all-time favorite – everyone can probably shout it from the rooftops! Nothing gets better than ‘Wonderwall’ as your first dance song. Even though it’s such an old song, it remains popular!

Here’s how it goes:

Because maybe

You’re gonna be the one that saves me

And after all

You’re my wonderwall

14. Lucky – Colbie Caillat and Jason Mraz

Why you’ll like it: It’s cute and makes you smile when you listen to it. This song is a great fit if you used to be friends before you fell in love. Wonder how you’ll feel when you have your first dance to this song!

Here’s how it goes:

Lucky I’m in love with my best friend
Lucky to have been where I have been
Lucky to be coming home again

15. Make You Feel My Love – Adele

Why you’ll like it: It’s Adele. Need we say more? God, she’s brilliant! What you’ll share isn’t something a lot of people understand. But you two understand each other, and that’s what matters.

Here’s how it goes:

Nothing that I wouldn’t do
Go to the ends of the Earth for you
To make you feel my love

16. Thinking Out Loud – Ed Sheeran

Why you’ll like it: You’ve said this to each other a thousand times in the span on your relationship. It’s just so romantic and heart melting. ‘Thinking Out Loud’ is the perfect slow song for a first dance!

Here’s how it goes:

Take me into your loving arms

Kiss me under the light of a thousand stars

Place your head on my beating heart

I’m thinking out loud

Maybe we found love right where we are

17. All of me – John Legend

Why you’ll like it: If music is a common passion for the both of you, then John Legend’s voice is something you’ll want to listen to when you’re dancing with your new spouse for the first time. Plus the lyrics are just so perfect to describe the love you have for each other.

Here’s how it goes:

You’ve got my head spinning, no kidding, I can’t pin you down

What’s going on in that beautiful mind

I’m on your magical mystery ride

And I’m so dizzy, don’t know what hit me, but I’ll be alright

18. Someone Like You – Van Morrison

Why you’ll like it: You won’t have to say a word to your spouse when you’re dancing your first dance to this song, which makes it perfect for you because you’re not very comfortable with expressing how you feel. The lyrics will be enough to convey your emotions while everyone’s eyes are on you.

Here’s how it goes:

I’ve been searching a long time

For someone exactly like you

I’ve been traveling all around the world

Waiting for you to come through.

19. Share My Life – Kem

Why you’ll like it: If nothing else, pick this song just for its music. It’s very soft and light. You’re still figuring how to do this right; the both of you are newly in love. And that’s what this song says about you as a couple.

Here’s how it goes:

Share my life

Trust in me

You’re all I want

Everything I need (baby)

20. I Feel So Close To You – Calvin Harris

Why you’ll like: It’s a fun and lively song, and if you’re shy in front of people this might just be the song for you. It’s sweet and short, so you and your spouse won’t have to dance for very long. And if you don’t care about the people watching, this song is fabulous. Break away from the slow, romantic numbers and go crazy dancing to this one! We assure you, yours will be a wedding that will go down in history. It works perfectly for you even if one of you is shy and the other is outgoing!

Here’s how it goes:

I feel so close to you right now

It’s a force field

I wear my heart upon my sleeve, like a big deal

Your love pours down on me, surrounds me like a waterfall

And there’s no stopping us right now

I feel so close to you right now

No matter which song you pick, your first dance is going to be a special and memorable experience. What you and your partner share is special, pick the song that best suits your relationship and don’t be influenced by what your guests say or think!

Featured image source: Google, copyright-free image under Creative Commons License

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