First Dance Songs

{photo credit: Kate McElwee}

The first dance song

Perhaps the one moment of the wedding you (and your guests) are most looking forward to. 

And rightfully so. When your first dance song starts the entire party hushes just for you two to enjoy. It’s like time freezes and I promise it’s a moment you’ll never forget. After 13 years of marriage my memory of our wedding day has faded a bit but not that moment.

my favorite first songs right this moment

Hold Me Like The Fire | Reuben & The Dark. My latest obsession. If you love Iron and Wine you will be moved by Rueben’s voice. In his own words Reuben says of the song “This song started as some kind of mantra for myself. I found I was singing the words over and over on an endless loop. It’s comforting. It felt healing. The first time we played it, the audience did the same thing, sang it over and over again past the end of the song. That’s all I really want to do as a songwriter. Write something for myself, then give it away to be someone else’s. The song deals with finding comfort in the things that confuse you. Coming to peace with the things you don’t understand. Faith in chaos.”  

Shallow | Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper. Because every wedding should have a little Gaga.

I’ll Be Your Lover Too | Van Morrison. This is the tune my T-love and I danced to all those years ago and will forever hold a special place in my heart.

Plans | Dustin Tebbutt. A beautiful song that isn’t overplayed and can really be yours.

In Your Hands | Nick Mulvey. Something a bit more uptempo if that’s what you’re looking for.

Songbird | Fleetwood Mac. After all, Stevie Nix is the ultimate #girlboss and my personal unicorn. I’m currently taking piano lessons solely so I can play this song. It’s going to be awhile.

take a listen on spotify

My advice is that you make sure that you have decided on your first dance song at least 4-6 weeks in advance.  This way you have enough time to update your band so they can learn the song or so you can decide what exact version you’re going to play.

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