70 showstopping first dance songs for your wedding — with expert tips on how to choose the right one

The first dance is a pivotal moment for many couples. The formalities are done, and it's time for everyone to let their hair down on the dance floor. People choose their first dance song for various reasons, from an anthem with a special meaning, to a timelessly romantic track, or simply because a tune is good to dance to and will get the party started. Some couples have a special ‘song’, while others don’t –  but that doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy this memorable moment. If nothing springs to mind immediately, our curated list of the best first dance songs for every mood and genre should help you tackle this item on your wedding planning checklist. 

‘I think something upbeat and funny always works best for a first dance,’ wedding photographer Clementine Cusack suggests. ‘My favourites are the ones that are unexpected and surprise all the guests.’ Meanwhile, Laura Harvey, director of SpinSisters, a female DJ agency specialising in weddings, explains, ‘A lot of couples normally really appreciate our advice on all the music for the night, but the one song they are often certain of is the first dance, usually something that means something to them.’ The first dance can be a bit nerve-wracking for some couples, so Laura would suggest you dance to it together a lot in the build-up to the wedding so that you feel more relaxed on the day.

Slow, fast, old-school, cult movie classic — anything goes when choosing the best first dance song for you. We asked our couples about their own first dance songs and their favourites from weddings they’ve attended. We also added some personal favourites from the WPC team to create the ultimate list of first dance wedding songs, from upbeat songs that will get everybody moving to the unexpected choices guests will remember for years to come. And, of course, there’s the old school classics that stay popular for a reason. If you want to make choosing a first dance song a practical exercise, head to our dedicated Spotify playlist to hear our top choices in one place. We’ve also listed the extensive selection below, with some tips from wedding experts such as photographers, wedding dress designers and DJs.

A growing trend for couples is to build some drama by starting slow and then breaking into an energetic dance routine, adding an element of surprise. If you and your partner prefer to be more low-key, this can still be a great type of first dance song to choose, as it allows for a quiet and reflective moment together before upping the tempo to encourage guests to join in on the floor. 

1. Can't Take My Eyes Off You - Frankie Valli 

2. Praise You - Fatboy Slim 

3. I Will Wait - Mumford & Sons

4. Ends of the Earth - Lord Huron 

5. Stairway to Heaven - Led Zeppelin

Unexpected first dance songs at weddings are classic tunes that aren’t necessarily overly romantic but still hold a lot of sentiment and offer a joyful tune that everyone can appreciate as a celebration of your love.

1. The Whole of the Moon - The Waterboys

2. Toothpaste Kisses – The Maccabees

3. Don't Stop Me Now - Queen

4. September - Earth, Wind & Fire

5. Finally - CeCe Peniston

Sometimes couples want to opt for something unique that a lot of people won’t have heard of — which is where unreleased album songs can be useful. These are the album songs that weren’t released as singles, but are still great tracks despite being less well known. 

1. Tenerife Sea, Ed Sheeran

2. Something, The Beatles

3. Going Nowhere, Oasis

4. This Is The One, The Stone Roses

5. Woman, Rhye 

The charts always affect the most popular first dance songs each year, but there are still some classics that remain popular year after year. 2024 saw the likes of Benson Boone and Lady Gaga release crowd-pleasing tunes. These are the top love songs released in 2024.  

1. Benson Boone, Beautiful Things

2. To Love, Suki Waterhouse

3. Die With A Smile, Lady Gaga

4. Stargazing, Myles Smith

5. Feelslikeimfallinginlove, Coldplay

We love this kind of first dance. It’s the kind of dance where, as a guest, you're itching to join the fun of the dancefloor. Upbeat, fun, full of energy, these popular first-dance songs are the perfect way to set the tone for the rest of the night.

1. Paradise - George Ezra

2. I Melt With You - by Modern English

3. Shut Up And Dance - Walk the Moon

4. You've Got The Love - Florence + The Machine

5. Celebration - Kool & The Gang

If you want to opt for something people likely won’t have heard on a wedding dance floor, there are plenty of alternative first dance songs. Look to contemporary artists for modern takes on love or romantic tracks from well-known artists who usually produce music of a different genre. Therefore, their romantic tracks might not get as much air time. Perfect for those who want a more contemporary declaration of love on the dance floor. 

1. My Love Mine All Mine - Mitski 

2. Sweet Disposition – The Temper Trap

3. The Only Exception - Paramore

4. II most wanted - Beyoncé and Miley Cyrus

5. Lovesong – The Cure

‘Cool’ first dance songs are alternative tunes that veer away from the mainstream while still having a great beat to dance to. These tunes are lively but more understated for those who like to think outside the box when it comes to wedding planning. 

1. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Maps

2. Outstanding - The Gap Band

3. Walk of Life - Dire Straits

4. Eye Know – De La Soul 

5. Leon Bridges - Coming Home

Country music offers old-school romance and can be a great choice for a classic first-dance song that gets everyone on the dance floor. From toe-tapping tunes to romantic ballads, a country music first dance will appeal to every generation at your wedding. 

1. You're Still The One - Shania Twain 

2. Marry Me – Dolly Parton 

3. You're My Better Half – Keith Urban

4. Sweet Home Alabama - Lynyrd Skynyrd

5. Tennessee Whiskey – Chris Stapleton

Old-school classics - everyone loves these, from your bridesmaids to your granny. When picking your first dance song, these tunes are a definitive 'can't-go-wrong' choice. 

1. Dancing in the Moonlight -  Toploader

2. Crocodile Rock - Elton John

3. Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours) - Stevie Wonder

4. I'm a Believer - The Monkees

5. Crazy Little Thing Called Love - Queen

Recreate iconic movie moves, or create your own with these classic soundtrack songs. Full of fun and laughter, these are perfect for surprising your guests and getting the party going.

1. You and Me Song - The Wannadies (Romeo & Juliet) 

2. City of Stars - Ryan Gosling & Emma Stone (La La Land) 

3. My Girl – The Temptations (My Girl) 

4. (I've Had) The Time of My Life - Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes (Dirty Dancing)

5. The Power of Love - Huey Lewis & the News (Back to the Future) 

A slow dance is a more traditional choice for a wedding, but it doesn't mean it has to be cheesy. A slow and romantic song provides a moment for you both to slow down and connect with one another on what’s often a very hectic day. If you're going for a slow song, think outside the box and choose one to create a magical and unique atmosphere. 

1. Into The Mystic - Van Morrison

2. Grow Old With Me - Tom Odell

3. Stand By Me - Ben E. King

4. Can't Take My Eyes Off You - Andy Williams

5. Cheek To Cheek - Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong

A formal first dance song might feel a little too serious for alternative weddings. Indie music essentially refers to anything mainstream, with a wide offering of bands with powerful ballads and upbeat tunes. 

1. I Bet That You Look Good On The Dance Floor, Arctic Monkeys

2. Are You Gonna Be My Girl, Jet

3. First Day Of My Life, Bright Eyes

4. You’ve Got The Love, Florence & The Machine

5. It’s Time, Imagine Dragons

While the classics are classic for a reason, the modern classic deserves to be a genre in itself, with some incredible new artists emerging in the past decade. Mordern music has given us much-loved artists such as Bruno Mars, Drake and the enormously popular Ed Sheeran, with fresh new tunes that are destined to stand the test of time. 

1. Adore You, Fred Again

2. Afterglow, Ed Sheeran

3. Hold On We’re Going Home, Drake

4. Marry You, Bruno Mars

5. All Of Me, John Legend

A favourite genre for many, rock music has given us some of the greatest power balads of all time, as well as floor-filling classics that everyone can sing along to. Rock songs are a good choice for those who want to veer away from cheesy or overly romantic tunes, while still making an impact. 

1. Everlong, Foo Fighters

2. Lovesong, The Cure

3. Forever, Kiss

4. I’ll Stand By You, The Pretenders

5. Stand Inside Your Love, Smashing Pumpkins

We caught up with our industry friends on the best first dance songs for weddings and asked them to bestow their wisdom. From choosing the perfect gown to addressing the finer details of the dancefloor, here are their top tips for making that first dance a truly unforgettable moment.

As a wedding planner with 13 years of experience, Susie Evans has seen a fair few first dances. And she has the wisdom to share: ‘My first bit of advice is to choose a song that is unique to you, that actually has a meaning behind it. Choose a song that has a story behind it.’ Susie reminds couples it doesn't have to be a love song.

‘If something like 'Stuck in the Middle With You' is your all-time favourite song and reflects you both, then go for it!’ She also emphasises that with viral videos being so common these days, surprise dances are less surprising. If you want an element of surprise, Evans suggests considering a professionally choreographed dance or adding another element, like a costume change.

Lucy, the founder of House of Lemon music agency, recommends keeping the band in the loop about your song choice if they need extra time to learn the tune. She suggests, ‘One of my favourite parts of a wedding is watching our bands perform the bride and groom's first dance. All of our bands are happy to learn a first dance song if they don't already know it, and even special versions if you have one that works with any choreography that you have worked on.’

Couples could also consider getting their DJ to do a mashup of two or three of their favourite songs. According to Spinsisters founder Laura Harvey, this is a great way to add an element of surprise to a first dance — and a fun way to start with something a bit slower and build up to a floor-filler where all your guests can join in.

One of the things Louise Selby gets asked the most, as a wedding dress designer, is how to hook up a train for that all-important first dance. "Everyone loves a train, but they can look messy when hooked up; why spoil the glamour when it is easy to rectify?’ According to Louise, it is all about proportions—if your train is short, the loop should be a bit longer so that there is enough to drape when it is over your wrist, and if your train is very long, it should be shorter so that it doesn’t dangle too much. Long trains can have a couple of extra loops at the sides to scoop up any surplus. Louise advises avoiding the ruched curtain look and ensuring the loop is large enough to go over your wrist so your hand is free.

The first dance is the perfect moment for the newlyweds to get completely caught up in each other’s eyes and forget everyone is watching. Whether you’re planning something natural and romantic or upbeat and choreographed to surprise your guests, Georgie Chenery from Luminaire Events' favourite touch is to add low fog to give the impression of dancing on the clouds. She emphasises the importance of lighting the dance floor properly. This way, the photographer can capture the magical moment without any awkward shadows. ‘Lighting really is key!’ she explained. ‘We like to use soft, warm spotlights to gently light the couple.’

Wigglesworth advises creating a moment at the song's end to encourage everyone to join you on the dance floor. ‘This could mean lights, confetti canons, mass balloon drops, or just a big drop in the music all works,’ he said. ‘Enjoy it and smile - the best photos are the ones where the couple are totally immersed in the moment.’ The photographer added, ‘I also think that top-down lighting makes a huge difference on camera; it also makes the dance floor look great.’

Now that you've got the perfect first dance song picked out, why not keep the inspiration flowing? We've created the ultimate first dance song playlist on Spotify for you to enjoy — it's a mix of old-school classics, iconic movie moments, and modern hits.

In the midst of all the wedding planning? Don't forget to create your bespoke gift list with The Wedding Present Company.