130+ Best First Dance Wedding Songs for Wedding 2022

Choosing a first dance song can often be the source of much debate between soon-to-be-wed couples. Unless you have an undisputed special song, you may well need a little bit of inspiration to get the creative juices flowing.

That’s why we’ve put together this definitive list of the very best first dance wedding songs out there. Whether you’re looking for bang up-to-date, modern first dance songs, a classic movie soundtrack or something a little bit vintage, you’ve come to the right place.

Your first dance song doesn’t need to be a smoochy love song if you don’t want it to be, there are unlimited options on the table, from fun upbeat TV theme tunes to the downright silly and utterly unique.

If you’re stuck for that perfect first dance song, here are some of the best wedding songs to get you started…

Classic Wedding Songs For The First Dance (Oldies But Goodies)

Everybody loves a great classic first dance song. Here are a few of our favorites:

1. “At Last” by Etta James
2. “The Way You Look Tonight” by Frank Sinatra
3. “Can’t Help Falling In Love” by Elvis Presley
4. “Unforgettable” by Natalie Cole and Nat King Cole
5. “It Had To Be You” by Frank Sinatra
6. “Always On My Mind” by Elvis Presley
7. “Your Song” by Elton John
8. “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)” by James Taylor
9. “Fly Me To The Moon” by Frank Sinatra (more songs by Frank Sinatra to use at your wedding)
10. “It Had To Be You” by Harry Connick Jr.
11. “Dream A Little Dream Of Me” by Michael Bublé
12. “You Send Me” by Sam Cooke

Popular First Dance Song Ideas

1. “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran
2. “Say You Won’t Let Go” by James Arthur
3. “Delicate” by Taylor Swift
4. “Deeper” by Tamia
5. “You Are The Reason” by Calum Scott, Leona Lewis
6. “This Will Be (an Everlasting Love)”  by Natalie Cole
7. “A Thousand Years”  by Christina Perri
8. “Amazed”  by Lonestar
9. “All of Me”  by John Legend
10. “At Last”  by Etta James
11. “Can’t Help Falling in Love”  by Elvis Presley
12. “Everything I Do I Do It for You”  by Bryan Adams
13. “God Only Knows”  by The Beach Boys
14. “You Are the Best Thing”  by Ray LaMontagne
15. “Your Song”  by Elton John

80s First Dance Songs

1. “Heaven” by Bryan Adams
2. “The Promise” by When in Rome
3. “Take My Breath Away” by Berlin
4. “Endless Love” by Diana Ross and Lionel Ritchie (also featured in Happy Gilmore for those who want to use this song because you’re awesome)
5. “Time After Time” By Cyndi Lauper
6. “Right Here Waiting” by Richard Marx
7. “Faithfully” by Journey
8. “Crazy For You” by Madonna
9. “You’re The Inspiration” by Chicago
10. “Open Arms” by Journey
11. “In Your Eyes” by Peter Gabriel
12. “Love Song” by The Cure
13. “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now” by Starship
14. “Eternal Flame” The Bangles
15. “The Lady In Red” by Chris de Burgh

90s First Dance Songs

1. “Always Be My Baby” by Mariah Carey
2. “Kiss From A Rose” by Seal
3. “I’ll Be” by Edwin McCain
4. “Truly Madly Deeply” by Savage Garden
5. “All My Life” by K-Ci & JoJo
6. “(Everything I Do) I Do It For You” by Bryan Adams
7. “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston

Top Country First Dance Songs

For even more country first dance songs (and songs to use on the rest of your wedding day), check our newest article: 130 The Most Popular Country Love Songs 

1. “Amazed” by Lonestar
2. “From The Ground Up” by Dan + Shay
3. “My Best Friend” by Tim McGraw
4. “Speechless” by Dan + Shay
5. “Islands In The Stream” by Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers
6. “Yours” by Russell Dickerson
7. “Better Together” by Luke Combs
8. “I Don’t Dance” by Lee Brice
9. “Golden Hour” by Kacey Musgraves
10. “Bless The Broken Road” by Rascal Flatts
11. “God Gave Me You” by Blake Shelton
12. “Change Your Name” by Brett Young
13. “You Make It Easy” by Jason Aldean
14. “Then” by Brad Paisley

Rock and Roll Music Choices (Including Alternative and Classic Rock)

1. “I Don’t Want to Miss A Thing” by Aerosmith
2. “Just The Way You Are” by Billy Joel
3. “Love Of A Lifetime” by Firehouse
4. “Can’t Fight This Feeling” By REO Speedwagon
5. “Here Comes The Sun” by The Beatles (more songs by The Beatles to use at your wedding)
6. “You’re My Best Friend” by Queen
7. “Forever” by KISS
8. “I Believe In A Thing Called Love” by The Darkness
9. “I’ll Be There For You” by Bon Jovi
10. “In My Life” by The Beatles
11. “All My Love” by Led Zeppelin
12. “Can’t Stop Loving You” by Van Halen
13. “I’ll Stand By You” by The Pretenders
14. “Crazy Love” by Van Morrison
15. “Here, There And Everywhere” by The Beatles

R&B First Dance Songs (Including Motown and Old School Hits)

1. “Conversations In The Dark” by John Legend
2. “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)” by Marvin Gaye
3. “If I Ain’t Got You” by Alicia Keys
4. “Overjoyed” by Stevie Wonder
5. “Stand By Me” by Ben E. King
6. “You Are The Sunshine Of My Life” by Stevie Wonder
7. “This I Promise You” by *NSYNC
8. “How Deep Is Your Love” by The Bee Gees

Best Acoustic First Dance Songs

1. “Take Me Home, Country Roads (John Denver)” by Music Travel Love (such an amazing acoustic version that would be perfect for the first dance)
2. “Better Together” by Us the Duo
3. “More Than Words” by Extreme
4. “You’re The One That I Want” by Julia Stone and Angus
5. “A Thousand Years” by Jasmine Thompson
6. “Time After Time” by Iron and Wine
7. “You Were Meant For Me” by Jewel
8. “True Colors” by Justin Timberlake & Anna Kendrick

New (Modern) Hits (And Some That Are Newish)

1. “Perfect Duet” by Ed Sheeran and Beyoncé
2. “Like I’m Gonna Lose You” by Meghan Trainor and John Legend
3. “Just Married” by Steven Lee Olsen
4. “Kiss Me” by Ed Sheeran
5. “You Are The Reason” by Calum Scott
6. “Rewrite The Stars” by Zac Efron and Zendaya (From The Greatest Showman)
7. “Like I’m Gonna Lose You” by Jasmine Thompson
8. “Give Me Love” by Ed Sheeran
9. “I Am Yours” by Andy Grammer
10. “You Are The Best Thing” by Ray LaMontagne
11. “Baby I’m Yours” by The Arctic Monkeys
12. “Lover” by Taylor Swift
13. “Sweetest Devotion” by Adele
14. “Lucky” by Colbie Caillat and Jason Mraz
15. “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic” by Sleeping At Last
16. “Your Song” by Ellie Goulding
17. “Could I Love You Anymore” by Jason Mraz & Reneé Dominique

Most Romantic Love Songs To Play During The First Dance

1. “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” by Sleeping At Last
2. “Unchained Melody” by The Righteous Brothers
3. “L-O-V-E” by Nat King Cole
4. “Endless Love” by Lionel Ritchie & Shania Twain
5. “Marry Me” by Train
6. “The Luckiest” by Ben Folds
7. “Can’t Help Falling In Love” by Elvis Presley
8. “The Way You Look Tonight” by Tony Bennett
9. “When I Fall In Love” by Nat King Cole
10. “Come Away With Me” by Nora Jones
11. “Make You Feel My Love” by Adele

Fun and Upbeat Music Choices

1. “I Believe In A Thing Called Love” by The Branches
2. “Love On Top” by Beyoncé
3. “You Make My Dreams” By Daryl Hall & John Oats
4. “You’re My First My Last My Everything” by Barry White
5. “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” by The Beach Boys
6. “Happy Together” by The Turtles
7. “Friday I’m In Love” by The Cure
8. “Just The Way You Are” By Bruno Mars
9. “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic” by The Police
10. “You’re The One That I Want” by John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John
11. “Marry You” by Bruno Mars
12. “Adore You” by Harry Styles

When is the first dance at the wedding reception?

Typically the bride and groom, bride and bride, or groom and groom do their first dance as soon as they get announced into the their wedding reception.

This is the best time to do the dance because all guests are already seated to watch the reception entrances. All eyes are already on the couple as they enter.

Tips for getting the best photos of your first dance

• Try not to chat through the entire dance – It makes it very difficult for the photographer to get amazing photos that look natural if the couple is talking the entire time (this goes for the mother-son and father-dances too)
• Don’t cut the dance too short – Some couples don’t like being the center of attention, and that’s ok. Give your photographer at least 2 minutes to get some awesome photos. And let them know ahead of time if you are cutting the song short. This way they can prepare.
• Tell your photographer about any choreographed dances or surprises during the first dance – By telling your photographer about your dance plans, they can be in the right position for any lifts, dips, surprises, etc.

Wedding Dresses 2022/2023