The Best First Dance Songs
The most popular first dance songs are timeless love songs like “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis Presley, “At Last” by Etta James and “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran, plus newer favorites like “Die With A Smile” by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars. The best choice is a song that means something to both of you and that you can comfortably dance to for about two minutes. Below are the songs our Los Angeles DJs are asked for most, with tips on choosing, editing and timing yours.
The ultimate first dance songs below come from the most requested songs couples asked us to play at their weddings. The “first dance” between bride and groom is the most awaited moment for most newlywed couples and their guests. It is usually the first dance at the wedding reception and sets the tone in the evening. It’s considered the first official task as a newly married couple, symbolizing their unity and love as a new couple.
The choice of song is always the most important! Most couples chose a song that has meaning to both of them or something traditional rather than what’s popular since this moment will be a memory for the rest of their lives. Some couples prepare months in advance with hours of dance lessons such as ballroom dancing, or even go all out with a custom choreographed dance number routine, which is always a fun surprise for guests! Regardless of what style song or dance order you choose, just enjoy it. This is a celebration, and everyone on the dance floor should have a good time.
At Angels Music DJs and Productions, we believe music is the soundtrack to your event, so in an effort to help with this special moment, we have put together a list of the most wanted first dance songs.
The Most Requested First Dance Songs
These are the first dance songs couples ask our DJs for most. Some have topped the list for decades, and a few newer songs have joined them. Below the classics you will find the newer favorites and our tips for making the dance feel easy.
Updated October 2026 by the DJ team at Angels Music Productions, Los Angeles.
Top 10 Classic First Dance Songs
1. “Can’t Help Falling In Love” by Elvis Presley. This classic is always on top of the list when it comes to first dance songs. Its timeless melody and beautiful lyrics will make any newlywed couple feel like they just stepped into a movie scene.
2. “Magic” by Coldplay. If you want something upbeat and modern, this is an excellent choice. It’s an uplifting song with sweet lyrics that will get everyone in the mood to celebrate your marriage.
3. “The Way You Look Tonight” by Frank Sinatra. This romantic tune never gets old, and its simple yet heartfelt message makes it perfect for your special day. It’s one of those songs that will make you feel like you’re living in a different era, one where love was celebrated without any reservations.
4. “At Last” by Etta James. This soulful tune is one of those classics that never go out of style when it comes to weddings. It has a jazzy vibe that will make your guests feel like they’re at a sixties speakeasy, and its timeless message of love is sure to make anyone swooning over your relationship all night long!
5.”Chasing Cars” by Snow Patrol. If you’re looking for something more contemporary but still romantic, this modern rock song is perfect for your first dance as newlyweds. Its dreamy lyrics will evoke all kinds of warm feelings between you and your partner as you take to the floor together!
6.”All Of Me” by John Legend. This slow jam is perfect if you want something more mellow but still full of emotion and sentimentality. The heartfelt lyrics express everything there is to say about two people who are deeply in love with each other, just like how you both feel on this very special day!
7.”Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran. Another great option if you’re eyeing something more modern but still romantic, this pop ballad expresses Ed Sheeran’s thoughts on true love which he hopes his partner can relate to, just like how many couples do on their own special day!
8.”A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri. This piano-driven song has become one of the most popular choices for couples who are looking for something subtle yet powerful enough to express their emotions towards each other during their first dance together as husband and wife!
9.”You Are The Best Thing” By Ray LaMontagne. If you want something soulful but still lighthearted enough to get everyone on their feet during your reception, then this acoustic number should be at the top of your list! Its catchy chorus and uplifting message about loving someone unconditionally makes it ideal for couples who want to show their guests just how much they mean to each other on this big day!
10.”Marry You” By Bruno Mars. Last but certainly not least, this upbeat pop hit perfectly encapsulates all the excitement that goes along with getting married, from slipping away from family members during reception time to dancing around freely under twinkling lights in celebration with friends and loved ones alike!
New First Dance Favorites
- “Die With A Smile” by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars
- “Ordinary” by Alex Warren
- “Birds of a Feather” by Billie Eilish
- “Until I Found You” by Stephen Sanchez
- “Golden Hour” by JVKE
- “Lover” by Taylor Swift
- “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran
- “Love Story (Taylor’s Version)” by Taylor Swift, if you want to finish with a fun twirl
Tips for a First Dance That Feels Easy
- Keep it short. Two to two and a half minutes is plenty. Your DJ can fade or edit the song at a natural point.
- Pick the exact version. Acoustic, live and radio edits have different tempos. Send your DJ a link.
- Practice in your shoes. Even one or two dance lessons help a lot.
- Plan the lighting. A spotlight, warm uplighting or low lying fog makes the photos look magical.
- Invite everyone in. Ask the DJ to invite guests to join for the last chorus if you get nervous with all eyes on you.
More First Dance Songs by Style
Not every couple wants a slow ballad. Here are more picks by mood. Our DJs have played every one of them for a first dance.
Timeless classics
- “La Vie en Rose” by Edith Piaf
- “Unchained Melody” by The Righteous Brothers
- “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” by Frankie Valli
- “Stand by Me” by Ben E. King
Upbeat and fun
- “You Are the Best Thing” by Ray LaMontagne
- “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” by Justin Timberlake
- “Happy” by Pharrell Williams
- “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours” by Stevie Wonder
Country
- “I Don’t Dance” by Lee Brice
- “Speechless” by Dan + Shay
- “Die a Happy Man” by Thomas Rhett
- “Then” by Brad Paisley
Jewish, Israeli and Persian weddings
At many of the Jewish and Israeli weddings we play in Los Angeles, the couple starts with a short slow song in English or Hebrew, and then we blend straight into the hora. Some couples use a Hebrew classic like “Erev Shel Shoshanim” for the first minute before the switch.
At Persian weddings, couples often choose a romantic Persian song and then invite the whole family onto the floor. Our Israeli wedding DJs and Persian wedding DJs can plan that switch with you so the energy jumps at exactly the right second.
How to Choose Your First Dance Song
Use this quick checklist once you have it down to two or three songs.
- It means something to you both. The song from a road trip, a concert you went to together or your first date will feel better than any chart hit.
- You can move to it. Play it at home and sway. If the tempo feels too slow or too fast, try a different version of the same song.
- The words fit the day. Read the full lyrics. A few popular love songs are actually about breakups.
- It works for the room. Grandparents and kids will be watching, so pick a clean radio edit if the song has explicit lines.
- It fits your dance plan. A simple sway, a waltz and a choreographed routine each need a different tempo. If you are taking lessons, bring the song to your first one.
Editing and Timing Your First Dance
Most first dance songs run three and a half to four and a half minutes. That feels long when 150 people are watching you. Most couples we work with dance for about two to two and a half minutes. Then the DJ fades the song or invites guests to join.
| Option | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Fade out | Your DJ lowers the volume smoothly at a natural spot, usually after the second chorus. | Most couples |
| Clean edit | We cut the song to a set length so it ends on a real ending instead of a fade. | Choreographed dances |
| Skip the intro | The song starts at the first verse so you are not standing still for 30 seconds. | Songs with long intros |
| Mashup | A slow song turns into an upbeat one halfway through. | Surprise routines |
| Open the floor | After a minute or so the MC invites parents and the wedding party to join you. | Couples who feel shy |
When to do the first dance
There are two common times. Right after your grand entrance, when everyone is already watching and the energy is high. Or after dinner, as a way to open the dance floor.
At Jewish and Israeli weddings in LA we often go grand entrance, first dance, then straight into the hora. Your MC announces the moment and checks that your photographer and videographer are in place before the music starts.
What to send your DJ
- Song title, artist and a link to the exact version
- Where to start and where to end, or simply “fade after the second chorus”
- Whether guests should join you, and when
- Any lighting cue, like a spotlight or low fog
- Send it at least two weeks before the wedding so we have time to prepare the edit
Dance Lessons for Your First Dance
You do not need lessons for a simple sway. If you want a spin, a dip or a short routine, a few private lessons make a big difference. Most couples take three to six lessons and start two to three months before the wedding.
Start two to three months before the wedding if you can. That leaves time to learn, practice between lessons and still have a few calm weeks before the day. If your date is closer, a few focused lessons in the last month still make a big difference.
| Your goal | Typical lessons | When to start |
|---|---|---|
| A confident sway with a spin or a dip | 1 to 3 | 4 to 6 weeks before |
| A simple ballroom style dance like a waltz, foxtrot or rumba | 3 to 6 | 2 to 3 months before |
| A choreographed routine or a slow to fast mashup | 6 to 10 or more | 3 to 4 months before |
| Parent dances on top of your first dance | 1 or 2 more per dance | Same time as yours |
Most private lessons run 45 to 60 minutes. Practicing ten minutes at home a few times a week between lessons matters more than the total number of lessons.
Practice in your real shoes and outfit
This is the tip couples skip most, and the one they thank us for later.
- Wear your wedding shoes, or shoes with the same heel height, for at least the last two lessons.
- If your dress has a train, learn how to bustle or hold it. Practice with a sheet pinned on as a stand in.
- Practice turns in a jacket. A suit jacket limits arm movement more than you expect.
- Ask your venue about the dance floor size and surface. A small floor or an outdoor deck changes how big your steps can be.
- Do one full run through in your outfits before the day if your fittings allow it.
Pick your song before your first lesson. Your teacher builds the steps around its tempo, so changing the song later often means starting over. On the day, your DJ and MC cue the lights, announce you and start the song at the exact second you practiced.
24 More First Dance Songs Couples Love
01 Ed Sheeran: Perfect
02 Adele: Lovesong, or Make me love you
03 Norah Jones: Come away with me
04 Whitney Houston: I will always love you
05 John Legend: All of me
06 Lionel Richie & Diana Ross: Endless Love
07 Stevie Wonder- For once in my life
08 Elvis Presley: Can’t help falling in love
09 Dan + Shay: Speechless
10 Michael Bubl’e: Everything
11 Andy Grammer: I Am yours
12 Sade: By your side
13 Frankie Valli or Lauryn Hill: Can’t take my eyes off of you
14 Frank Sinatra: Fly me to the moon
15 Nat King Cole: Unforgettable
16 Al Green: Let’s stay together
17 Ben E. King: Stand by me
18 Joe Cocker: You are so beautiful
19 The Carpenters: We’ve only just begun
20 The Righteous Brothers: Unchained melody
21 Aerosmith: I don’t want to miss a thing
22 Etta James: At Last
23 Lonestar: Amazed
24 Train: Marry Me
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most popular first dance song?
“Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis Presley and “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran are the two songs we are asked for most. “At Last” by Etta James and “All of Me” by John Legend are close behind.
How long should a first dance be?
About two to two and a half minutes. That is long enough for great photos and short enough that you and your guests stay comfortable. Your DJ can fade or edit any song to fit.
Can we pick a song that is not a love song?
Yes. Plenty of couples choose an upbeat song or a song tied to a shared memory. Just read the full lyrics first so there are no surprises.
Can a live musician play our first dance?
Yes. A live violinist, saxophonist or singer can play your song alone or on top of the DJ track. Tell us early so the musician can learn your version.
Should the first dance be before or after dinner?
Both work. Right after the entrance keeps the energy high. After dinner is a great way to open the dance floor. Your DJ will help you decide based on your timeline and venue.
Do we need dance lessons for a first dance?
Not for a simple sway. One to three lessons help if you want a dip or a spin, and six or more if you want a full routine. See our dance lessons guide above.
How far in advance should we start dance lessons?
Two to three months before the wedding works for most couples. Start three to four months ahead if you want a choreographed routine.
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Planning your first dance in Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego or Ventura? Our DJs will help you pick the song, prepare the edit and set the lighting so the moment feels just right. Take a look at our DJ packages or request a quote and we will check your date. Prefer to talk? Call us at 949-394-2572.
