The First Dance
The first dance is a much-anticipated event at your wedding, it’s a special time for the newlywed couple as they’ve pre-selected a song to dance to while everyone else watches. The first dance can take place after the couples grand entrance to their reception or after the first course of the meal has been served. The length of the newlyweds dance should aim to be around three minutes. However, the time you spend center stage is not as important as what happens right before you step onto the floor. The transition into the first dance IS the most important. It should feel romantic in order to be romantic. If your guests are connected with your story, and the couple is connected to each other, that first dance will be powerful.
Sometimes a song is chosen because it has meaning to the couple and other times its’ just a popular first dance song. If there is meaning, a small explanation to your guest prior to the dance helps engage your audience and helps set the “romantic” tone… which leads to Coastal Wedding’s choice of the greatest 25 first dance songs:
- Jasmine, “Like I’m Gonna Lose You”
- Jordan Davis, “Next Thing You Know”
- Sleeping at Last, “500 Miles”
- Lonestar, “Amazed”
- Alicia Keys, “If I Ain’t Got You”
- Ed Sheeran, “Perfect”
- Ed Sheeran, “Thinking Out Loud”
- Etta James, “At Last”
- Frank Sinatra, “The Way You Look Tonight”
- Russell Dickerson, “Yours”
- Allman Brown, “Sweetest Thing”
- Old Dominion, “One Man Band”
- Miguel, “Sure Thing”
- Lady Gaga, “Always Remember Us This Way”
- Elvis Presley, “Can’t Help Falling in Love”
- Christina Perri, “A Thousand Years”
- Ray LaMontagne, “You Are the Best Thing”
- Jason Mraz, “I Won’t Give Up”
- Ellie Goulding, “How Long Will I Love You”
- Ed Sheeran, “Perfect Duet” (Ed Sheeran & Beyoncé)
- K-Ci & JoJo, “All My Life”
- Cody Johnson, “The Painter”
- Chris Stapleton, “Starting Over”
- Brett Young, “In Case You Didn’t Know”
- Luke Combs, “Forever After All”
Regardless of what song you choose for your first dance, it’s going to be a dance to remember!
Checkout Coastal Wedding’s Ideas & Advice page for more wedding inspiration.
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest in wedding trends and resources.