First Dance Song Guide - Tips and Tricks to make it Less Daunting

Tricks and tips from a Wedding Band for making your first dance less daunting! 

the pedal tones crowd shot from a wedding at liverpool victoria gallery

First Dance Ideas

Picture this: It's your wedding day, and you and your partner take each other's hands, stepping onto the dance floor. The room is filled with love, laughter, and anticipation. As the music starts playing, time seems to slow down, and it's just the two of you in a world of your own. Your first dance—the moment that marks the start of your married life together—is about to begin.
But hold on a second! The first dance can be both incredibly exciting and a tad bit nerve-wracking. You might find yourself wondering which song to choose, how to dance without stepping on each other's toes, and how to make it a moment to remember. Don't worry! We've got your back!
There's a couple of different sections to today's blog post - starting off with the guide to choosing the right song from 50 of our favourites. If you've already got a first dance in mind, you can jump to the tips or the frequently asked questions on the links in the text.Anyway! On with the tunes! And if you'd like a Spotify playlist to listen through, don't worry! We've got you covered here:

Choosing the right song

Providing the perfect soundtrack to your first dance is really important. It’s important to choose a meaningful song that reflects your relationship and means something special to you both - it could be a song you both love, or a song that reflects a special moment in your relationship. Sometimes, there may be a few songs that you have in mind that could work, and it’s worth making a list so you can really narrow down the best choices.

Consider the lyrics and their relevance to your relationship - does the tone of the song reflect you guys as a couple? Have a listen to the tempo and speed of the song and picture yourselves dancing along to it. Do you need a slower song to match your dancing skills? Or do you need something slightly more upbeat?
It’s worth noting at this point that if you’re really feeling nervous about your first dance (and it’s a lot more common than you might think!) maybe you should consider something a little faster and more upbeat, so you can get guests to join you on the dance floor!

If you’re after some inspiration, check out 50 first dance ideas below! Have a listen through the playlist and see what songs stand out to you and get some ideas from previous couples. There’s nothing wrong with picking classic songs either, especially if you do want guests to join you on the dance floor!

45.) Pointless - Lewis Capaldi

With its uplifting melody, heartfelt lyrics, and soulful vocals from the Scottish singer-songwriter himself, this track will set the perfect mood for you and your partner to enjoy the moment. The song focuses on two things—saying goodbye to doubts and embracing the good moments in life—which makes it a perfect reflection of the love shared between two people. Its simple melody and lush, emotive production will add a romantic touch to your special day, as you take your first dance together as newlyweds.

46.) Black and White - Niall Horan

With its uplifting melody, heartfelt lyrics, and soulful vocals from the Scottish singer-songwriter himself, this track will set the perfect mood for you and your partner to enjoy the moment. The song focuses on two things—saying goodbye to doubts and embracing the good moments in life—which makes it a perfect reflection of the love shared between two people. Its simple melody and lush, emotive production will add a romantic touch to your special day, as you take your first dance together as newlyweds.

50.) XO - John Mayer

The lyrics of the song are romantic and tender, and the slow tempo of the melody creates a soft, sentimental atmosphere that is perfect for a special moment like a first dance. The song's chorus speaks of love in its purest form, expressing adoration for the other person in a way that will make both partners feel cherished and loved.


If you have something you'd like played live by a wedding band in Cheshire, why not reach out to us? We'd love to perform your first dance for your special day! (as well as rock the evening's reception afterwards!)

First dance tips

Phew! That's quite a list! Here's some more general tips!

Consider a few dance lessons

The great thing about first dances is the huge range of options and possibilities you have available to you. You can really make a special choreographed dance, or you can choose to do something low key - either way works and we’ve seen some spectacular dances in our time - and there’s no right or wrong answer. Having a few dance lessons may help you calm the nerves and can be a great way to spend some time together preparing before the wedding! You could even use some free resources such as YouTube to check out some cool dance inspiration - even if it’s just adding a few spins or cool moves here and there!

Consider the logistics

Once you’ve got your first dance choice sorted, the next step is chatting it through with your band or DJ. Would you like the original track to be played, so you can nail your routine? Or would you like a one-off performance from your band of your special song?

When it comes to chatting through the song with your band, let them know your choice in plenty of time so they can make sure that they can play it live. Certain songs can be quite hard to replicate depending on the size and lineup of the band. For example, a song with lots of strings and synthesized instruments can be hard to replicate if you’ve booked a small band, such as a 3 piece, or if your chosen song is very piano heavy, it might sound quite different to the original recording. Have a chat with your band beforehand to make sure it’s an appropriate song - most bands will be happy to advise and most will be able to download the song for you if they don’t think that they can do the song justice live.

Ask people to join you on the dancefloor

A really good way to take some of the pressure off you both if you’re a little nervous about everyone watching you is getting everyone to join you on the dancefloor after the first chorus, usually around the minute mark of your chosen song. This way, the photographer (and or videographer) can get some great shots of you guys together before capturing some special moments with you and your guests! Your band or DJ can coordinate this with you beforehand, making sure you’re not holding on the dancefloor on your own for too long! You guys can also gesture to your guests to join on the dancefloor too - your friends and family won’t leave you hanging if you’re calling them out to join you!

Relax and enjoy the moment

Remember to embrace the experience and enjoy yourselves! Usually the first dance is the last ‘stressful’ thing you have to worry about on your wedding day, and then you can enjoy the party! Take a deep breath and relax, and really take the time to focus on your partner and the joyous occasion. Even if you’ve co-ordinated a really fancy choreographed dance - don’t worry about perfection - let your natural emotions shine through. Take the time to savour the moment and create lasting memories - whether it’s just you and your partner together on the dance floor or everyone joining you in support of your long lasting love!

If you’re feeling overwhelmed - you also don’t have to have a first dance

Now, let's pause for a moment and consider that having a first dance isn't for everyone. Maybe you and your partner aren't the dancing type, or perhaps you're looking for a more relaxed and unconventional wedding vibe. And you know what? That's totally cool!

Your wedding day should be a reflection of your unique style and preferences. So, if the thought of swaying awkwardly in front of a crowd makes you break into a cold sweat, it's absolutely fine to skip the first dance tradition. Embrace the freedom to choose what feels right for you and create a wedding experience that authentically represents who you are as a couple. After all, it's your special day, and there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to celebrating love. Just make sure you coordinate with your band or DJ so they know what to do and what to expect - as they will still want to coordinate with you to make the best party experience possible!

First dance tips and FAQs!

Find answers to your most common questions about our wedding band services.

What should I choose for my first dance wedding song?

Your first dance as newlyweds is your time to shine and create a lasting memory with both your spouse and all of the guests. Choose a song that symbolizes the special bond you share, or just select something you both adore! Not only will this be an intimate moment between the two of you, but it's also sure to leave everyone in attendance feeling inspired after witnessing such love.

Searching for the perfect song to commemorate your special day may take some time or it could be a simple song such as the one you two sing while doing the dishes. The track might signify all of the great moments shared together and reflects both partners' dreams and desires for their marriage journey ahead. If nothing is coming to mind though, feel free to browse through our top 50 first dance wedding songs above!

Should I get the band to play the track live, or should I get them to play the orginal recording?

This comes down to your own preference! Quite often, having a band play it live means they'll put their own spin on it, so it might be a little bit different than you remember. For example, if you have a more guitar based song and you want the to have 'Your Song' by Elton John as your first dance, it might end up sounding quite different due to the instrumentation! This isn't always a bad thing though! However if you really love the orginal song as it is, it's probably best to play the orginal recording.

Will a band charge extra to learn a first dance?

Many bands (such as ourselves) will be happy to learn your first dance for no extra cost!

We're nervous about dancing in front of everyone!

This is surprisingly common, so don't worry! Let your band or DJ know so they can ask people to join you on the dancefloor as soon as possible. This is usually done around the first chorus, as the photographer will probably want to get a few shots of you guys together alone first!

If you really don't like being in the limelight, you could choose a song that everyone knows and get them on the dancefloor from the moment the song starts! This is a great way to get the party started!

How long should the first dance be?

A normal song usually lasts around 3 to 4 minutes and this is pretty standard for first dances. We don't recommend having a super long first dance if you're nervous as it will feel like forever! Another good tip is getting the band to play a verse or two of your chosen song, then kick into a party song after!

Do I have to choreograph my first dance?

Not unless you really want to! It can be a fun activity to do before the wedding, but there's no pressure!

How should we be introduced for the first dance?

Again, this is down to personal preference! Usually, most couple ask to be introduced as the new 'Mr and Mrs insert-new-surname-here' but you can be creative - just don't forget to let your band or DJ know!

When should the first dance take place?

Usually after the wedding breakfast and after your evening guests arrive is best. In terms of time, this usually between 8pm and 8:30 at most venues, but your wedding co-ordinator should be able to give you a better idea of timings.

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