Your first dance is the final formality of the wedding day.
Just like the other individual elements couples want to get it right, especially their song choice.
Hampshire Event DJs are experienced in making the moment perfect and are often asked to help with something extra special.
But where do you start with choosing your first dance song?
Emotional Connections
For many people the song choice is obvious.
We’ve spoken before about shared emotional connections in music and these are not just limited to good times on the dance floor.
There might be songs on an album you listened to a lot when you were getting to know one another. A song played on the radio on your first weekend away or streamed by the pool on your first holiday.
Some artists actually have certain life moments in mind when they write albums.
Ed Sheeran always has at least 2 suitable wedding songs on every album. When we start the evening with one of his ballads we end the night with a dance remix of the same song to bookend the day.
Suggestions For Your First Dance
What if you’re not really into music?
We frequently see online discussions asking what everyone else has chosen for their first dance.
Often a bride will compile a list of suggestions into a playlist and try them out by listening to them over and over for suitability.
This week Spotify published a list of the most popular wedding first dance songs according to playlists curated on their service. Here’s the Top 5:
- Christina Perry A Thousand Years
- Lonestar Amazed
- John Legend All Of Me
- Train Marry Me
- Adele Make You Feel My Love
If you’re surprised Ed Sheeran isn’t in there don’t worry – he featured at 6 and 9!
The placings of Lonestar and Train suggest the research is American but Christina Perry, John Legend and Adele are often part of UK weddings.
Discover New Music
First dance selections are often our opportunity to discover new music and artists.
We remember when James and Kelly married at West Hill Park School and introduced us to a beautiful song by Benjamin Francis Leftwich.
When Simon bumped into him later he agreed to record a version of “Shine” for them.
We sent the video on their anniversary as an extra special reminder.
Obviously we can’t do this every time we play John Legend or Adele at a wedding!
Suitable First Dance Songs
We recommend you always listen to the words and context of a song before considering it for your first dance.
In 2011 “Someone Like You” by Adele was unquestionably the song of the year and many contemplated it as a first dance without realising it was a song about breaking up.
The same year Jamie Lawson had a hit with a sweet song about unexpectedly falling in love.
It might be the perfect choice for a first dance song were it not for the unhappy ending.
One couple were certain they wanted it so with a little bit of digital trickery we remixed the track.
Their “Happily Ever After” version of “I Wasn’t Expecting That” is now in our library.
We often create special first dance sequences for our couples.
They begin with a stripped-down version of a track and mix into the upbeat dance version.
These provide the perfect signpost for other guests to join the dance floor and divert the attention from you.
Timeless
We’re always surprised when young couples chose older wedding classics.
Last August Sam and Sean at Three Choirs chose “Endless Love” by Lionel Richie & Diana Ross, a wedding favourite from 1981.
Al Green “Let’s Stay Together” often featured in 2019.
Often new cover versions of timeless classics are preferred.
Last year our first dances included many modern cover versions of “I Can’t Help Falling In Love With You”.
Popular versions of the Elvis classic include Haley Reinhart and Kina Grannis from the film Crazy Rich Asians.
One Chance To Get It Right
Many couples choreograph a routine to go with their first dance like Michelle and Marcus at Lainston House.
Dancing is one of their hobbies so a slick routine came naturally for them.
Other couples hire a teacher and rehearse for hours to practice their perfect routine.
A first dance is one of those moments in life you only get one chance to get right. Choose a DJ you can trust to deliver the moment perfectly for you, with minimum cheesy chat and impeccable timing.
Whichever song you pick and however you choose to dance once it’s over the party can start!
Tell us how you want your evening to sound by clicking on the orange button below. We can catch up over Zoom or in person and tell you how we can help make your evening perfect.
