Photo: Bella Philly / Photography By Charise
One aspect of wedding planning that couples have a lot of fun doing together is creating a playlist for the big day. And that’s because the music you choose is yet another way to show the world who you are as a couple.
In addition to the music your guests will dance to at your reception, you’ll want to choose aprocessional songto play at the start of your wedding ceremony and a bridal party entrance song to kick off the wedding reception.
And you’ll definitely want to pick out some sentimental numbers for your mother-son and father-daughter dances.
But the song that’s often the hardest to pick is the first dance song. After you walk down the aisle and say “I do,” the first dance is yet another chance to showcase your love and dedication to each other in front of all of your guests!
Don’t want your first dance song to be one that a million other couples have danced to in the past?
If you’re looking for a brand new tune, here’s our roundup of the13 best first dance wedding songs!
1. “Fall Into Me” by Forest Blakk
Released in 2022, “Fall Into Me” by Forest Blakk is one of our favorite love songs of the year. Not only are Blakk’s vocals incredible, but the melody is lovely, so there’s a good chance you’ll hear this tune played at weddings for years to come.
Just imagine dancing to the lyrics “fall into me and I’ll catch you darlin, we’ll dance in the street like nobody’s watching.” It’s a simply beautiful way to say I love you to your brand new spouse.
2. “One Life” by James Bay
James Bay has written a string of incredible break up songs, make up songs, and love songs, but the acoustic version of “One Life” is one of his best.
With lyrics like “do you want to marry me?” and “forever ain’t forever if we’re not together,” this 2022 release is wedding perfect!
3. “Black and White” by Niall Horan
You don’t have to be a One Direction fan to love“Black and White” by Niall Horan. This song was just released in 2020, soit's a newer choice that hasn't been played at every wedding you've ever been to.
With the lyrics “see you standing in your dress, swear in front of all our friends, there’ll never be another, I promise that I’ll love you for the rest of my life,” it’s the perfect song for a wedding.
Hit the dance floor to this lovely tune and there won’t be a dry eye in the house.
4. “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran and Beyonce
Love Ed Sheeran but don’t want to pick the obvious choice of “Thinking Out Loud”? Add“Perfect,”Ed’s duet with Beyonce, to your wedding playlist instead. This song has been around for a few years, but it’s soooo good we had to include it on this list.
Like most Sheeran songs, these lyrics touch the heart. The line “we were just kids when we fell in love” makes it an ideal choice for the couple who’s been together since they were in their teens or early twenties.
Hit the dance floor to this duet and it’ll be obvious to all of your guests that you’ve found the one and that the two of you feel like the luckiest people in the world.
5. “Forever My Love” by Ed Sheeran and J Balvin
In a mix of English and Spanish languages, “Forever My Love” just might be one the best songs of 2022.
The lyrics “en dondequiera que estés, ahí estaré, hoy y mañana, por siempre, mi amor,” which translates to “wherever you are, I’ll be there, today and tomorrow, forever, my love,” makes it a beautiful bilingual choice for any wedding.
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6. “You Are the Reason” by Calum Scott and Leona Lewis
If you and your beloved have had some ups and downs in your relationship, consider dancing your first dance to“You Are the Reason” by Calum Scott. This duet with Leona Lewis starts with a perfect piano intro and soars, just like every great male/female duet should.
The line “you are the reason that I’m still breathing” sums up the entire sentiment of this song.
7. “Conversations in the Dark” by John Legend
Photo:Bella Dallas/Lindsey Mueller
Over the past decade, John Legend’s “All of Me” has become one of the most popular first dance songs.
But now it has some competition.
“Conversations in the Dark”is yet another John Legend’s make-you-cry/make-your-heart-explode ballad, complete with impeccable piano playing and lyrics that resonate.
The line “I will never try to change you, I will always want the same you” makes it perfect for any newlywed couple planning to spend a long, happy, and healthy life together.
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8. “Lover” by Taylor Swift
There’sa good chance that Tay-Tay's“Lover”willbecome one of the mostplayed first dance wedding songs of all time.
With the lyric “my heart’s been borrowed and yours has been blue,” this Taylor gem makes for great wedding music!
9. “Speechless” by Dan + Shay
For a diehard country music fan, it can be hard not to choose a ballad from Tim McGraw or Lonestar as your first dance song. But if you’re looking for a country tune that’s a bit more modern,“Speechless” by Dan + Shayis an excellent option.
The lyric “I’m speechless, starin’ at you, standin’ there in that dress” will perfectly capture the moment!
10. “Stuck With U” by Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber
Ariana Grande’s “Stuck With U”is a fun and unexpected first dance song, plus it’s a great excuse to enjoy some smooth and breathy Bieber falsettos!
The lyric “all this lovin’ you, hatin’ you, wantin’ you” sums up how we've all felt at some point in our relationshipwith our significant others.
11. “Anything For You” by Ledisi featuring PJ Morton
With cool, jazzy vibes,“Anything For You” by Ledisi and PJ Mortoncould easily be mistaken as an oldies tune, but it wasfirst released in 2020.
It’s not a common or expected choice, so there’s a good chance that many of your wedding guests will be hearing it for the first time at your wedding.
If you don’t choose it as your first dance song, play it during the reception for all of your guests and wedding party to dance to.
Related:The 9 Essential Bride and Groom Pictures That Every Wedding Needs
12. “I Am Yours” by Andy Grammer
Photo:Sarah Meyer
Your wedding day should be all about love and romance, and“I Am Yours” by Andy Grammerdefinitely has that vibe.
With the lyric “I was put here to love you … I am yours now and always, wouldn’t dream to be anything more,” it’s a sweet yet memorable choice that can work for any couple, no matter what your favorite genre of music may be.
This ballad is also easy to dance to, so it’s a good choice even if you’re not a great dancer or don’t plan to practice any first dance choreography.
13. “Better Half of Me” by Tom Walker
Tom Walker released “Better Half of Me” in 2019, and it sounds as fresh and new today as it did three years ago.
This powerful acoustic song is modern-day storytelling at its finest. The line “I’d have all I need if you’d be the better half of me” makes it an ideal choice for two individuals officially joining their lives together as one!
How to Choose a First Dance Wedding Song
When it’s time to choose a first dance song, there’s one and only one rule:
Choose a song that you both love!
Do not worry about being unoriginal or choosing a song that’s been played at other weddings. The reason why other couples have picked the same songs over and over again is that they’re great tunes!
If you’re not set on selecting a song that’s only been around for a few years, check out this bonus song list for some more options. Here are 25 more of the most popular wedding songs of all time, some slow, some upbeat, some from a few years back, and some from decades ago:
• “In My Life” by The Beatles
• “Unchained Melody” by the Righteous Brothers
• “My Cherie Amour” by Stevie Wonder
• "The Way You Look Tonight” by Frank Sinatra
• “At Last” by Etta James
• “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis Presley
• “A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri
• “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz
• “Better Together” by Jack Johnson
• “Stand By Me” by Ben E. King
• “Into the Mystic” by Van Morrison
• “The Luckiest” by Ben Folds
• "What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong
• “Just the Way You Are” by Billy Joel
• “How Sweet It Is to Be Loved by You” by Marvin Gaye
• “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love” by Natalie Cole
• “You’re Still The One” by Shania Twain
• “My Girl” by The Temptations
• “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by Diana Ross
• “Crazy In Love” by Beyonce, featuring Jay Z
• “Make You Feel My Love” by Adele
• “Close Your Eyes” by Michael Buble
• “Your Song” by Elton John (or the Ellie Goulding cover)
• “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston
• “Rest of My Life” by Bruno Mars
Whatever song you choose, let it be one that you love and one that has lyrics that mean something to you.
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Conclusion
For the modern couple looking to choose a brand new song, there are plenty to pick from.
So open your Spotify or Apple Music app and give these love songs a listen. Even if none of them make the cut as your first dance song, they’re still great songs that you can play throughout your wedding reception!
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