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The first dance is one of the most romantic, fun, and meaningful traditions that you’ll see at a wedding. It’s a celebration of the relationship so far, and a beautiful way to kick-off many happy years of marriage. It’s a chance for the bride and groom to really reflect on their love for each other; whether it’s commemorating all the sweet and funny moments, or remembering all the hardships and the obstacles.
When the first dance starts, the bride and groom are simply lovers with a marriage certificate—by the time it finishes, they are well and truly newlyweds.
The first dance is important, so you have to pick the music to set the tone. You can’t just pick any old Ed Sheeran wedding song, and just call it a day. A lot of thought has to go into picking a first dance wedding song that’s personal to the newlyweds.
If you’re stuck for ideas, we’ve gone ahead and compiled a comprehensive list of the greatest wedding songs of our generation. Seeing as it’s such a personal topic, there’s never going to be a universal ‘best of all time’ for first dance songs, but these picks might just be your perfect song!
10: Ed Sheeran – Thinking Out Loud (2014)
Church-Inspired, Modern Blue-Eyed Soul
A great, soulful song perfect for couples of all ages.
9: Michael Buble – Everything (2007)
A Classic Wedding Song
Who doesn’t love some Buble? This song is a jazzy number to open the dance floor.
8: Lady Antebellum – Just A Kiss (2011)
Old-School Country Brilliance
A swinging, country-pop masterpiece—the perfect mood for couples who want to start their marriage off with a bang!
7: Van Morrison – Crazy Love (1970)
An Upbeat, Dancey, Love Song
There’s nothing crazy about this beautiful classic song about true love.
6: Adele – Make You Feel My Love (2008)
Slow Dancing, Soul-Pop Perfection
No wedding song list would be complete without Adele. This is a truly wonderful song, her voice soothes the soul.
5: John Legend – All Of Me (2013)
The Epitome Of Romantic R&B
Undoubtedly one of the sweetest love songs of its generation, this song raised the bar for husbands all around the world. It’s perfect if you want to make your bride feel like the most special person in the world.
4: Frank Sinatra – The Way You Look Tonight (1961)
A Jazzy, Upbeat Classic, Perfect For A Waltz
Sinatra has been a staple for wedding dances since the 60s, and this jazzy number shows why!
3: Jack Johnson – Better Together (2005)
An Acoustic, Alternative Rock Tear-Jerker
For those who want something a little more laid-back, this acoustic number is perfect for small, intimate gatherings.
2: Jason Mraz, Cobie Caillat – Lucky (2009)
A Perfect Modern Wedding Song
This beautiful duet is such a unique yet beautiful wedding song; it’s perfect for a younger millennial crowd.
1: Norah Jones – Come Away With Me (2002)
A True Masterpiece
This song is truly one of the best slow songs to dance to…ever! I mean it’s Norah Jones, can you expect anything other than brilliance?
Final Words
Some of these songs aren’t just limited to for the married couple to enjoy. They’re also good picks for father-daughter or mother-son dances too!
And if you’re looking to steer away from obvious cliche choices; songs like All Of Me, or songs like Dancing in the Moonlight, these ten picks should give you a little more variety.
Remember: your first dance will set the tone for the rest of your married life. So make sure to pick something that’s truly meaningful to both of you. You should never pick something to please anyone else, tonight is supposed to be
