One of the biggest decisions a couple makes when planning a wedding are the song choices for their first and last dance. The first dance is typically referred to as a couple’s wedding song and usually remembered long after the wedding. In fact, you might be asked, “What was your wedding song?” This song is usually the couple’s love song. It might have been the song that was playing when they met or when they first kissed. It could be a song they always play together or dance to. This song is very special to the couple and, as such, is a very important choice.
The first dance is named as such because it is the bride and groom’s first dance as man and wife and also the first dance of the night. All eyes are on the couple as they take to the floor and embrace each other, swaying to the music often bringing happy tears to each other’s eyes and that of their family and friends.
The last dance is the final farewell song. This song is usually geared toward what the future holds for the couple or it can be another special song that the couple holds dear. A couple can choose a slow song or an upbeat song, but it’s a good idea to take into consideration that by now the couple and everyone else has danced the night away for at least four hours, have had more than a few drinks and have indulged in some cake. The bride and groom may look a little more wild than they did during their first dance but they also appear a lot more comfortable. In some cases, the bride and groom have changed clothes and are jetting off to their honeymoon. During this song, the couple will bid adieu to each guest who has joined their going away circle.
For the songs between the first and last dance, the couple will choose a playlist. A good playlist should include the songs that the bride and groom love, but they should also take into consideration their guests. With extended family in attendance, there are parents, aunts, uncles and grandparents who might not appreciate a night of hip hop songs. It’s important to have a good mix that everyone will like and be able to dance along to. Also a good blend of slow and fast songs make the perfect balancing, giving dancers a little time to rest. Leave the song arrangement and mixes up to the DJ, band or both. As long as they have your playlist, they know how to get the crowd going.
You could say that the songs you choose will serve as the score to your wedding. They set the mood, tempo and tone. Just like in a movie, the music can make or break the event. If you think about it, would the Titanic have been as good without Celine Dion’s haunting rendition of “My Heart Will Go On?”
That being said, your song choices are more important than you think. So how do you go about choosing the perfect songs? Let’s start with your first dance, as that is the song that sets the mood and is the one you’ll most remember. We’ve broken up some of the most popular wedding songs into three different categories: traditional songs, modern songs and songs you’ve heard in movies. If you don’t use any of these as your first dance song, they are great choices to add to your playlist for the rest of the reception or to use as your last dance song. No matter which songs you choose, make sure they mean something to you and that they will always bring a smile to your face when you remember your wedding in years to come.
Traditional Wedding Songs
Always and Forever Heatwave
At Last Etta James
Can’t Help Falling In Love Elvis Presley
Don’t Know Much Linda Ronstadt and Aaron Neville
Endless Love Diana Ross
Happy Together The Turtles
Let’s Stay Together Al Green
The Way You Look Tonight Frank Sinatra
Unchained Melody Righteous Brothers
When A Man Loves A Woman Percy Sledge
Modern Wedding Songs
All of Me John Legend
A Moment Like This Kelly Clarkson
A Thousand Years Jason Mraz
Because You Loved Me Celine Dion
More Than Words Extreme
Perfect Ed Sheeran
Time After Time Cindy Lauper
Truly Madly Deeply Savage Garden
You’re Still The One Shania Twain
Wedding Songs From Movies
All You Need is love Love Actually
Chapel Of Love Four Weddings and a Funeral
Everything I Do I Do It For You Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
Grow Old With You The Wedding Singer
I’ve Had The Time Of My Life Dirty Dancing
I Melt With You 50 First Dates
I Say A Little Prayer My Best Friend’s Wedding
With so many choices to make for your wedding day, your song choices shouldn’t be stressful. It should be fun. Don’t overthink it, just let the music move you. Spend a night listening to music together and pay attention to how they make you feel. You’ll know the right songs when you hear them because they will fill you with a special joy that you’ll want to share with loved ones and especially with your new significant other.
