First Dance Songs: Romantic Hits & Unique Alternatives
Updated March 11, 2024 | Author: Matthew Campbell
As a wedding DJ, I have attended hundreds of weddings and have seen many first dances take place. This includes my own wedding to Tanya Tucker’s song “Two Sparrows In A Hurricane”.
It is OKAY if you want to select a popular first dance song for your wedding. There is a reason why they are so popular. They hit the mood, theme, and vibe of a wedding.
However, some couples want non-traditional songs too. Thus, you will find popular hits for the first dance and also unique alternatives for something a bit different.
First, here are a few tips.
How To Select A First Dance Song
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One
Special Meaning
Select a song that has special meaning to both of you. If you have one, skip to step 5.
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Two
Song Meaning
Read the song’s lyrics to determine if the meaning of the song matches your love story.
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Three
Song Genre
Does the song’s music style match your music tastes.
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Four
Song Tempo
Know the song’s tempo (fast to slow) to determine the style of dance that fits best.
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Five
Practice
Practice your first dance with the song you chose in similar wedding attire in your kitchen.
Popular versus Unique Alternatives
Below is a list of popular and unique alternative first dance songs.
- The songs listed first are popular first dance hits selected by engaged couples.
- The songs listed second are similar alternative tracks in the same music style, tempo, and mood – but not played at every wedding.
- Each song paired matches the above criteria.
Popular Songs | VS. | Unique Songs |
---|---|---|
Can’t Help Falling In Love – Elvis Presley | vs | Can’t Help Falling in Love – Kacey Musgraves |
Perfect – Ed Sheeran | vs | Heaven – Calum Scott |
At Last – Etta James | vs | Finally Mine – Juliet Roberts |
Beautiful Crazy – Luke Combs | vs | Love You Anyway – Luke Combs |
All Of Me – John Legend | vs | ‘Til Death Do Us Part – Brian Nhira |
From The Ground Up – Dan + Shay | vs | Made (Wedding Version) – Spencer Crandall |
Tennessee Whiskey – Chris Stapleton | vs | Sweet Symphony – Joy Oladokun, Chris Stapleton |
Best Part – Daniel Caesar, H.E.R. | vs | Anything For You (The Duet) – Ledisi & PJ Morton |
Amazed – Lonestar | vs | That’s What Love Is – Alexandra Kay |
In Case You Didn’t Know – Brett Young | vs | Dance With You – Brett Young |
I Cross My Heart – George Strait | vs | Dance Of A Lifetime – Drake Milligan |
Say You Won’t Let Go – James Arthur | vs | Before You – Benson Boone |
Speechless – Dan + Shay | vs | You (Acoustic) – Dan + Shay |
A Thousand Years – Christina Perri | vs | Can’t Get Enough – Tamia |
Stand By Me – Ben E. King | vs | Baby I’m Yours – Arctic Monkeys |
Beyond – Leon Bridges | vs | Without You – Otis Kane |
A Thousand Years – Christina Perri | vs | Last Love – Jon Mullins |
I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing – Aerosmith | vs | First Date (Acoustic) – Taylor Acorn |
Wonderful Tonight – Eric Clapton | vs | Time In A Bottle – Jim Croce |
The Way You Look Tonight – Frank Sinatra | vs | I’ll Never Not Love You – Michael Bublé |
Bless The Broken Road – Rascal Flatts | vs | On My Way To You – Cody Johnson |
You Are The Reason – Calum Scott, Leona Lewis | vs | If You Love Her – Forest Blakk, Meghan Trainor |
You Are the Best Thing – Ray LaMontagne | vs | I Just Love You – Roo Panes |
Yours – Russell Dickerson | vs | That’s Why – Troy Cartwright |
My Best Friend – Tim McGraw | vs | Another (Wedding Version) – Adam Doleac |
Marry Me – Train | vs | Take My Name (Wedding Version) – Parmalee |
Thinking Out Loud – Ed Sheeran | vs | Made to Love You – Drew Angus |
Can’t Take My Eyes Off You – Frankie Valli | vs | Until I Found You – Stephen Sanchez, Em Beihold |
Tip
Have anxiety about your first dance? Practice beforehand, drink lots of water, eat through the day, and look into each other’s eyes and smile. You got this!
New First Dance Songs
Are you itching to make your first dance a truly unforgettable moment with a new track? Well, you’re in luck because I’m sharing recently released first dance songs! Picture this: the spotlight is on you, the DJ drops a brand new track, and you and your sweetheart share a moment that feels straight out of a music video.
I curated a shortlist of the freshest hits that’ll have you dancing into forever.
Space In My Heart – Enrique Iglesias, Miranda Lambert
Latin/Country, 2024
A meld of country and Latin. Iglesias re-wrote one of his hits on this beautiful acoustic love song. An upbeat track so you will have to practice your dance moves!
Forever – Noah Kahan
Folk, 2024
This is a cross between folk and alternative. There is so much feeling in this song and about wanting to spend forever together. It is a bit slow so be sure to look into each other’s eyes.
Love Is – Ingrid Michaelson & Jason Mraz
Pop, 2024
Love duets always make for great wedding songs. Mraz has other wedding duets with Colbie Caillat. However, this tune is all about how life is better because you are together. It has a waltz tempo.
First Dancin’ – 2 Lane Summer
Country, 2024
This is a romantic song that specifically describes the first dance of newlyweds. It describes the moment which may help calm the nerves as you dance.
All the Way – Shane Smith & the Saints
Country, 2024
This country song has many old-time country vibes including Johnny Cash. If you want a vintage feel first dance song, this one fits perfectly.
Spin You Around (1/24) – Morgan Wallen
Country, 2024
Wallen is one of the biggest artists of the 2020s. This slow version hits the spot – even better than ‘You Proof’ and ‘Cover You Up’. Spin her around the dance floor for your first dance as the song describes because she stole your heart.
Best Friend – Pacific Skyway
Rock, 2024
If you want a rock song for your first dance, this one describes marrying your best friend! It is an acoustic track too!
If I Were A Love Song – Kidd G
Country, 2023
A slow country love song made for two people in love. The song is a sleeper song meaning that not every couple will have it so you can call it your own. The tempo has a two-step feel.
Let’s Fall In Love – Raheem DeVaughn feat. Kenny Allen & H.M.P.
R&B, 2023
A smooth groove that describes falling in love – exactly what most couples want on their wedding day to highlight their spotlight dance.
Take Forever (Hally’s Song) – Cooper Alan
Country, 2023
This is a tune about two people becoming one and offering their lives to each other. It can be a highlight of the reception and tears falling watching your dance.
Life With You – Kelsey Hart
Country, 2023
The traditional country love song about falling in love. It hits the mark about a man wanting to spend forever with the one he loves.
I Choose You – Forest Blakk
Pop, 2023
Blakk knows how to write a love song. Check out his other hits like ‘If You Love Her’. This song is so perfect for weddings that it was picked up for a Kay Jewelers commercial. Check out the wedding version too!
Time With You – Johnny and Heidi
Indie, 2023
The song was written for another couple in love but J+H knew they had to release the song as it makes for such a great wedding song – and first dance as a married couple.
Heaven – Cleo Sol
R&B, 2023
This is a unique selection for a fun couple with a funky beat. If you are two people in love who want to celebrate your moment, this is a winner!
Evergreen – Teddy Swims
Pop, 2023
Swims has a voice with so much emotion and character. This love song describes being in love and will give you and your guests goosebumps!
Made For Me – Muni Long
R&B, 2023
A little piano and romantic beats will have you staring at each other while saying ‘I Love You’ – you were made for each other!
Magical – Ed Sheeran
Pop, 2023
A song with Sheeran and his guitar about a magical relationship. If your relationship contains lots of magic, select this track from a music superstar.
So Glad I Found You – Jalen Ngonda
R&B, 2023
If you love old-time R&B, this new song celebrates finding the one you love and will have you loving each other forever.
The Mountain Song (First Dance Version) – Tophouse
Folk, 2023
It’s hard to beat a song that is made specifically for weddings. This one talks about a first dance too! The track tells a story of the joy of finding each other.
In Your Love – Tyler Childers
Country, 2023
Childers has the voice of vintage country but with a modern twist. This emotional and romantic song will make you happy that you selected it.
24/7, 365 – Elijah Woods
Pop, 2023
An uplifting track that describes the day you fell in love with each other and wanting to share a life together.
If You Were Mine – Miranda Lambert & Leon Bridges
Contemporary Country, 2023
This is an unexpected collaboration but is so beautiful! Two remarkable voices sing about wanting to spend the rest of your lives together.
Masterpiece – Ben Harper
Alternative, 2023
Harper is a storyteller in this acoustic hit about finding a piece to his life that makes him complete.
Say Yes To Heaven – Lana Del Rey
Alternative, 2023
Most couples selected her hit ‘Young and Beautiful for the first dances. This track may surpass it as a favorite as it describes heaven on earth together.
Love You Anyway – Devon Gilfillian
R&B, 2023
This song will give you and your guests chills as you dance for the raw celebration of loving each other.
way after forever – Vaultboy
Pop, 2023
This song was popular on social media and hits the mark of describing two people in love – forever.
Perfect For Me – Bradley Marshall
Pop, 2023
If you want to spend the rest of your life past you are old and gray, then this romantic hit describes your relationship.
I’m Gonna Love You – Josh Tatofi
R&B, 2023
Hawaiian vibes emote love vibes into the air as you dance your spotlight dance with a romantic tune after the I Do’s.
Other great modern first dance songs.
- All Because of You – O.A.R.
- Always Been You – Kylie Morgan
- Always Gonna Love You (First Dance Version) – Alana Springsteen
- Amazing – Teddy Swims
- Amen – John Adams
- Baby Will You Love Me – MAJOR.
- Better Part of Me – SYML, Sara Watkins
- Beyond – Leon Bridges
- Butterflies – Kacey Musgraves
- Butterflies – MAX, Ali Gatie
- Collide – Tiana Major9 & EARTHGANG
- Evermore – Hollow Coves
- Everything – Mary J. Blige
- Fade Into You – Mazzy Star
- Falling like the Stars – James Arthur
- Find Someone Like You – Snoh Aalegra
- Forever After All – Luke Combs
- Forever From Now – Sheffield
- FOREVER IS – Norman Kerner
- Grow Old – Florida Georgia Line
- Growing Old With You (First Dance Version) – Restless Road
- Heaven – Kane Brown
- How Long Will I Love You – Ellie Goulding
- I Am Yours – Andy Grammer
- I Choose You – Amanda Jordan
- I Choose You – Ryann Darling
- I Get to Love You – Ruelle
- I GUESS I’M IN LOVE – Clinton Kane
- I Think I Like You – The Band CAMINO
- I Will Spend My Whole Life Loving You – Imaginary Future & Kina Grannis
- I’m In Love With You – The 1975
- I’m With You – Vance Joy
- If I Didn’t Love You – Ben Abraham
- Imagine (Acoustic) – Ben Platt
- Incomplete – Jay Sean
- Joy of My Life – Chris Stapleton
- Kiss Me – Dermot Kennedy
- Lifetime – Justin Bieber
- Like I’m Gonna Lose You – Meghan Trainor feat. John Legend
- Love of My Life – Sentury
- Love Someone – Lukas Graham
- Love Songs Ain’t for Us – Amy Shark, Keith Urban
- Lover (First Dance Remix) – Taylor Swift
- Luckiest Man – Chris Brown
- Luckiest Man – Clark Beckham
- Moon River – Frank Ocean
- My Person (Wedding Version) – Spencer Crandall
- Never Stop (Wedding Version) – SafetySuit
- Never Til Now – Ashley Cooke, Brett Young
- Nobody But You – Blake Shelton, Gwen Stefani
- nobody else – LANY
- One Day Less – Anson Seabra
- Our Song (Acoustic) – Ron Pope
- Our Time – Roo Panes
- Pointless – Lewis Capaldi
- Prayed For You – Matt Stell
- Promise to Love Her – Blane Howard
- Sent From Heaven – Rahsaan Patterson
- The Joker And The Queen – Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift
- The One – Kodaline
- The Rest of Our Life – Tim McGraw & Faith Hill
- This Is – Ella Mai
- Today I Do – Tamia
- Touching Heaven – Johnnyswim
- Who I Am With You – Tucker Beathard
- Why I Love You – MAJOR.
- You – Louyah
- You’re the One (Acoustic) – Luca Fogale
If you need more ideas, see a list of the best wedding music.
Do you have a favorite first dance song? Please share your song below in the comments.
FAQs
Why trust
?DJ, Author, Music Lover
Matthew (Matt) Campbell is the founder/editor of My Wedding Songs from his experience as a wedding DJ. He is the author of two wedding planners: ‘Wedding Songs Planner’ and ‘The Wedding Music Toolkit’. Matt is the host of the ‘Wedding Songs Podcast’. He shares music inspiration in his weekly newsletter the ‘Wedding MusicLetter’. His articles have been published on Rolling Stone, DJ Life Magazine, and DJ Times. Matt resides in the wedding capital of the world – Las Vegas.
One of the lists should include “Always” by Atlantic Starr:
“Come with me my sweet
Let’s go make a family
And they will bring us joy, for always…”
Thank you for the suggestion. It is the perfect classic R&B first dance song!
I was so excited to see Leon Bridges on this list! We plan on dancing to his song Coming Home for our first dance.
Congratulations Devon. Yes, Leon Bridges is one of our favorite artists for weddings.
where can I find Once In A Lifetime by Robert J Walsh?
Hi Michael. Thanks for your suggestion. Your suggestion is a very romantic love song. One that the generation of its time will cherish.
Two I would add to this list would include Linda Ronstadt & Aaron Neville’s duet ‘All My Life’ (it’s best known as the wedding song from ‘Baywatch’ but was a popular first dance song in the 90s) and Anne Murray’s classic ‘Could I have This Dance’ from the movie ‘Urban Cowboy’.
Thank you for the suggestions. Yes, the 2 songs you mentioned are great first dance songs. However, their popularity as first dance songs has diminished over time. We do have the songs mentioned on other playlists on the site.
Kygo Firestone
Thanks for the suggestion Christe. Here is a link to the song on YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Sc-ir2UwGU
This is an incredible list. Thank you so much. I will say though, my dream song since I was about 16 has been The Book of Love by Peter Gabriel.
Thank you, Victoria. I still see it on wedding lists. However, his most popular wedding song remains as “In Your Eyes” from the movie Say Anything.
While there’s thousands of good possibilities, another one that is worth mentioning is “You needed me” by Anne Murray.
Hi David. Thanks for your suggestion. Anne Murray is an all-time Country legend and this song would make for the perfect first dance song.
I’d add two songs
1. Jessie Ware-Say you love me
2. Kaliber-Call me out
I’m so in love with them! ??
Thanks Juliet. Jessie Ware – Say You Love Me is a great song with a ton of emotion and even includes Ed Sheeran. However, the story of the song don’t make it perfect for a first dance song (in our opinion).