Choosing the perfect first dance song is a big decision for your wedding. As a wedding photographer and a huge music enthusiast at ten-dance.com, I’ve witnessed countless beautiful first dances and heard a wide array of songs that couples choose for this special moment. Your first dance song often becomes “your song” – a melody that will forever evoke cherished memories of your wedding day. So, making it extra special is definitely worth the effort!
I’ve compiled a list of over 100 Good First Dance Songs to inspire you. This collection includes popular love ballads, timeless classics, and unique tunes to surprise your guests and perfectly capture your love story. Whether you’re looking for something currently trending on the radio, a romantic oldie, or an unexpected gem, you’re sure to find several good first dance songs within these categories that resonate with you.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the choices and searching for that perfect soundtrack for your first twirl as a married couple, you’ve come to the right place! Prepare to be swept away by these mushy, gushy songs, guaranteed to bring happy tears to the eyes of your loved ones as you take to the dance floor.
Explore the categories below to get started, or dive straight into the full playlist HERE! Happy listening and happy wedding planning! 🎉
A newlywed couple sharing their first dance at their wedding reception, bathed in soft light.
Top 15 Popular First Dance Songs Right Now
These popular first dance songs are crowd-pleasers for a reason! They’re romantic, contemporary, and guaranteed to get everyone in their feels. These are some of the most requested and loved tunes I’ve heard at weddings recently.
- You Are The Best Thing – Ray LaMontagne
- Forever Like That – Ben Rector (Seriously, anything by Ben Rector is gold for good first dance songs! He has so many romantic options.)
- Home – Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes (This indie love anthem is timeless. It’s got that Tumblr-era romance that still feels incredibly fresh and heartfelt.)
- Photograph – Ed Sheeran (Ed Sheeran dominates the first dance song scene for good reason. Many of his songs are perfect!)
- Take The World – Johnnyswim
- Lover – Taylor Swift (A modern classic! “Lover” is quickly becoming a go-to for couples looking for a contemporary and deeply romantic first dance song.)
- Lucky – Jason Mraz & Colbie Caillat
- Flightless Bird, American Mouth – Iron and Wine (The “wedding version” from the Twilight: Breaking Dawn soundtrack is incredibly sweet and gentle – movie soundtracks often have hidden gems for first dance songs!)
- Marry Me – Train
- Stuck With U – Ariana Grande & Justin Bieber
- All Of Me – John Legend
- Say You Won’t Let Go – James Arthur
- Forever After All – Luke Combs
- It’s Your Love – Tim McGraw & Faith Hill (An absolute bop! This country classic is a fun and loving choice for your first dance.)
- Love Your Love The Most – Eric Church (Even if you’re not a huge country fan, this song is undeniably sweet and perfect for a romantic moment.)
A bride wiping away tears during her first dance with her groom, capturing an emotional wedding moment.
Top 10 Classic First Dance Songs: Timeless Romance
For a touch of elegance and timeless romance, you can’t go wrong with these classic first dance songs. These songs evoke a sense of sophistication and enduring love that will never go out of style.
Romantic, classy vibes that you’ll never get tired of.
- L-O-V-E – Nat King Cole (An absolute classic! This song instantly brings to mind classic romance movies and timeless love stories.)
- At Last – Etta James
- Come Away With Me – Norah Jones
- Fly Me To The Moon – Frank Sinatra
- La Vie En Rose – Emily Watts (This version offers a beautiful, modern take on a classic, making it a unique classic first dance song choice.)
- Can’t Help Falling In Love – Elvis Presley
- The Way You Look Tonight – Frank Sinatra
- (I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons – Nat King Cole or Ella Fitzgerald (Both versions are incredibly dreamy and perfect for a romantic first dance!)
- Dancing In the Moonlight – King Harvest
- It Had To Be You – Harry Connick Jr., or Frank Sinatra
A joyful newlywed couple sharing their first dance, laughing and connecting on their wedding day.
Top 10 Cover Songs Perfect for Your First Dance
Looking for something familiar but with a unique twist? These cover songs for first dances offer a fresh take on popular tunes, providing a unique and memorable experience for you and your guests. Choosing a cover can be a fantastic way to showcase your personality while still selecting a recognizable melody.
- This Must Be The Place – Iron and Wine (This Talking Heads cover is simply magical and consistently ranks as a favorite for cover first dance songs.)
- Friday I’m In Love – Janet Devlin
- I Believe in a Thing Called Love – Branches
- Better Together – Us The Duo (While the original is beloved, this cover brings a beautiful intimacy that’s perfect for a first dance.)
- Earth Angel – Death Cab For Cutie (A unique and indie take on a classic, perfect for couples with alternative music tastes.)
- Can’t Help Falling In Love – Haley Reinhart
- Baby I’m Yours – Arctic Monkeys
- Simply The Best – The Hound + The Fox (Get those Schitt’s Creek vibes flowing with this heartwarming cover!)
- Home – Edith Whiskers (Popularized by TikTok, this cover brings a modern and soulful touch to a well-loved song.)
- I Like Me Better – Jonah Baker
A newly married couple enjoying their first dance at their wedding reception, surrounded by loved ones.
Top 20 Unique First Dance Songs: Stand Out From The Crowd
For couples wanting to break away from the typical choices and express their individuality, these unique first dance songs are perfect! These are songs I rarely hear at weddings, making them extra special and memorable. Choose one of these for a truly personalized first dance experience.
Songs that I hardly (if ever!) hear at weddings, and I think would be super cute and unique to use!
- You and I – Ingrid Michaelson (My own first dance song! It’s sweet, short, and utterly charming. Ingrid Michaelson’s voice is just angelic.)
- I Was Born To Love You – Ray LaMontagne
- Green Eyes – Coldplay (A deeply emotional and beautiful choice that’s sure to create a tearjerker moment.)
- I Got You – Jack Johnson (Jack Johnson’s voice is pure melting-heart material. So many great options for unique first dance songs from him!)
- Q&A – Kishi Bashi (For acoustic indie lovers seeking something truly different and unexpected, this is it.)
- The Luckiest – Ben Folds (Prepare for all the feels with this incredibly touching song.)
- Heaven’s Knife – Josh Garrels
- Honeymoon – Johnny Stimson
- First Try – Johnnyswim
- Wedding Song – The Well Pennies
- I Will Spend My Whole Life Loving You – Imaginary Future, Kinna Grannis
- Grow As We Go – Ben Platt
- This Too Shall Last – Anderson East
- XO – John Mayer
- You’re Still The One – Shania Twain (A classic that might have faded in popularity for first dances, but it’s absolutely deserving of a comeback! Timeless and heartfelt.)
- First Day Of My Life – Bright Eyes (Prepare for emotional moments if you choose this one!)
- Oh, It Is Love – Hellogoodbye (A fun, upbeat, and nostalgic love song that still holds up as a great choice.)
- Once In A Lifetime – Landon Austin
- The World Could End With You – Llunr
- Honeybee – The Head and the Heart
Wrapping Up Your First Dance Song Selection
Finding the perfect good first dance song is about choosing a melody that reflects your unique love story and sets the tone for your wedding celebration. I hope this curated list of popular, classic, cover, and unique first dance songs has provided you with plenty of inspiration! Remember to listen to the full playlist here for even more ideas.
Did I miss any of your favorite good first dance songs? Let me know in the comments! I’m always looking to expand this playlist and make it even more helpful for couples like you. You can also reach out via email at [email protected] or contact me here with your suggestions and wedding photography inquiries!
