How to Pick your First Dance Song

A couple’s first dance song is a deeply personal choice. Those few minutes may be your first quiet moments together since you said “I do,” and you’ll always remember them. So you’ll want to pick the perfect song that represents you as a couple. 

But how? 

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Don’t rush

There are literally millions of options to choose from for your first dance. So don’t expect to make the decision in an afternoon. Leave yourself plenty of time to weigh each option as it comes to you.

Divide and conquer

Make a list of songs you’d like to consider, and ask your fiance to do the same. Then bring your lists together and compare. 

Are there any songs that you both wrote down? Any options on his list that are a hard no for you? Look for common themes between your two lists, like musical genres, tempos, or male vs. female singers. If she picked all country, and he picked all jazz, is there somewhere you could meet in the middle? Some blues songs, for example, toe the line between genres. That may be a great place to look for options that will please you both. 

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Consider your wedding style and your personalities

Don’t let the word “wedding” limit your options. This is your day, so you should pick something that fits in with your personal style. Whether you’re having an old-school traditional wedding or a nerdtastic Lord of the Rings costumed affair, there’s a perfect tune out there for your first dance as a married couple.

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Classic first dance songs

Many couples choose to pick a classic first dance song. This could be great for a more traditional wedding, or for a couple that loves old jazz standards. 

Maryland’s DJ couple Stephanie & Matthew, for example, danced to “Life is But a Dream” by the Harptones for their timeless wedding at Baltimore’s Belvedere Hotel. 

Other great options include:

• “Fly Me To the Moon” by Frank Sinatra
• “At Last” by Etta James
• “Our Love is Here to Stay” by Billie Holiday
• “Unforgettable” by Nat King Cole

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Upbeat first dance songs

Some couples may prefer songs that they can boogie to for their first dance, rather than doing a slow sway. 

But don’t think an upbeat song is limited to an informal wedding. After all, Prince Harry and Megan Markle selected Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” for their royal wedding. 

More upbeat options: 

• “You Make My Dreams” by Hall & Oates
• “Friday I’m in Love” by The Cure
• “Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours)” by Stevie Wonder

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Unique first dance songs

Some couples want a song that reflects their own individual personalities — a song you won’t hear at another wedding next year. A great place to look for these songs is in your regular Spotify playlists. What songs do you keep coming back to over and over again? 

Christine & Brad danced to Lately by Poliça, and that was definitely a choice we hadn’t heard before at Maryland’s DJ!

Also, think outside of pop music. Movie scores, for example, can be a great place to find sweeping, cinematic music that will make you feel like you’re in your very own film scene. 

Or, choose an unconventional arrangement of a well-known song. A live performance or an a cappella version of a famous tune can inject a bit of your own personality into a first dance favorite.

If you’re having a hard time selecting a song, our DJs can help! Schedule a free consultation with our team. Personal planning sessions are included in your wedding package, so you’ll be able to get ideas for the perfect first dance song from our musical pros!