If you don’t already a have “a song”, choosing a first dance song for your wedding reception can be one of the toughest decisions you’ll make. Trust me – it took us a year, and then we finally found the perfect song randomly: Ernie and Bert singing “But I Like You (despite our differences)”. It was catchy, cute, mentioned pigeons and paperclips, and went PERFECTLY with our choreographed dance! Our guests loved it – and we loved spending time together during our dance lessons. (TIP: take dance lessons, if only to have one night a week where you DON’T talk about the wedding!)
Anyhoo, finding the perfect first dance that a) represents your relationship, and b) evokes an emotion (tears? joy? laughter?) from your guests can be tricky. Here’s a starter list that may help!
- Unforgettable (by Nat King Cole)
- The Way You Look Tonight (by Frank Sinatra)
- Marry Me (Train)
- Chances Are (Johnny Mathis)
- What a Wonderful World (by Louis Armstrong)
- Can’t Help Falling in Love( by Elvis Presley)
- At Last (by Etta James)
- Songbird (by Fleetwood Mac)
- Beautiful (by Gordon Lightfoot)
- So This is Love (by James Ingram)
- It had to be You (by Harry Connick Jr.)
- A Kiss is Just a Kiss (by Michael Feinstein)
- Unchained Melody (by The Righteous Brothers)
- A Whole New World (by Peabo Bryson and Regina Belle)
- Endless Love (by Diana Ross and Lionel Richie)
- All my Life (by K-Ci and JoJo)
- Could not Ask for More (by Edwin McCain)
- It’s Your Love (by Tim McGraw and Faith Hill)
- I Swear by All 4 One (also by John Montgomery)
- Be My Little Baby (the Ronettes)
- This I Swear (by Nick Lachey)
- As Time Goes By (from Casablanca)
- God Only Knows (The Beach Boys )
- Hallelujah I love her so (Ray Charles)
- Someone to Watch over me (George and Ira Gershwin)
- Love and Happiness (Al Green’ )
- Sweet Thing (Van Morrison)
- Waterloo Sunset (The Kinks)
- Dream a Little Dream of Me ( Mamas and the Papas)
- Let’s Get it On (Marvin Gaye)
- The Luckiest” (Ben Folds)
- In Your Eyes (Peter Gabriel)
- Because You Loved Me”(Celine Dion)
- Come Rain or Come Shine (Ray Charles)
- Close To You (The Carpenters)