{"id":8449,"date":"2026-10-03T06:24:27","date_gmt":"2026-10-03T10:24:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fredastaire.com\/dc-palisades\/?p=8449"},"modified":"2026-10-05T09:09:35","modified_gmt":"2026-10-05T13:09:35","slug":"the-best-first-dance-songs-for-weddings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fredastaire.com\/dc-palisades\/blog\/the-best-first-dance-songs-for-weddings\/","title":{"rendered":"The Best First Dance Songs for Weddings (And How to Pick One)"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"8449\" class=\"elementor elementor-8449\" data-elementor-settings=\"{&quot;ha_cmc_init_switcher&quot;:&quot;no&quot;}\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-52a24662 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"52a24662\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_ha_eqh_enable&quot;:false}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ac3b626 elementor-toc--minimized-on-tablet elementor-widget elementor-widget-table-of-contents\" data-id=\"ac3b626\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;headings_by_tags&quot;:[&quot;h2&quot;,&quot;h3&quot;],&quot;exclude_headings_by_selector&quot;:[],&quot;no_headings_message&quot;:&quot;No headings were found on this page.&quot;,&quot;marker_view&quot;:&quot;numbers&quot;,&quot;minimize_box&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;minimized_on&quot;:&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;hierarchical_view&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;min_height&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;min_height_laptop&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;min_height_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;min_height_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"table-of-contents.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-toc__header-title\">\n\t\t\t\tTable of Contents\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__toggle-button elementor-toc__toggle-button--expand\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-controls=\"elementor-toc__ac3b626\" aria-expanded=\"true\" aria-label=\"Open table of contents\"><i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-chevron-down\"><\/i><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__toggle-button elementor-toc__toggle-button--collapse\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-controls=\"elementor-toc__ac3b626\" aria-expanded=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close table of contents\"><i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-chevron-up\"><\/i><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-toc__ac3b626\" class=\"elementor-toc__body\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__spinner-container\">\n\t\t\t\t<i class=\"elementor-toc__spinner eicon-animation-spin eicon-loading\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3abe3b9d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3abe3b9d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The best first dance songs for weddings are <\/span><b>those that show who you are as a couple, fit your style, and feel comfortable to dance to<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. Many couples pick classic romantic ballads, but you don\u2019t have to follow tradition if it doesn\u2019t feel right. You might choose a <\/span><b>modern love song, a favorite country tune, or something upbeat<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> that makes your guests smile.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Here are some things to think about when choosing your favorite song and finding one that matches your personality. We also have some fun ideas to help make your first dance even <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">more special.<br \/><br \/><\/span><\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fredastaire.com\/dc-palisades\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/454\/2026\/10\/Best-First-Dance-Songs-for-Weddings.webp\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-8450 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.fredastaire.com\/dc-palisades\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/454\/2026\/10\/Best-First-Dance-Songs-for-Weddings-300x300.webp\" alt=\"A newlywed couple shares a romantic first dance at their wedding, highlighting the Best First Dance Songs for Weddings.\" width=\"456\" height=\"456\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.fredastaire.com\/dc-palisades\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/454\/2026\/10\/Best-First-Dance-Songs-for-Weddings-300x300.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.fredastaire.com\/dc-palisades\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/454\/2026\/10\/Best-First-Dance-Songs-for-Weddings-1024x1024.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.fredastaire.com\/dc-palisades\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/454\/2026\/10\/Best-First-Dance-Songs-for-Weddings-150x150.webp 150w, https:\/\/www.fredastaire.com\/dc-palisades\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/454\/2026\/10\/Best-First-Dance-Songs-for-Weddings-768x768.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.fredastaire.com\/dc-palisades\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/454\/2026\/10\/Best-First-Dance-Songs-for-Weddings-600x600.webp 600w, https:\/\/www.fredastaire.com\/dc-palisades\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/454\/2026\/10\/Best-First-Dance-Songs-for-Weddings-100x100.webp 100w, https:\/\/www.fredastaire.com\/dc-palisades\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/454\/2026\/10\/Best-First-Dance-Songs-for-Weddings.webp 1440w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 456px) 100vw, 456px\" \/><\/a><\/p><h2><b><br \/>6 Things to Consider Before You Choose Your First Dance Song<br \/><br \/><\/b><\/h2><h3><b>1. Choose a Song That Means Something to Both of You<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Start by thinking about your relationship, not just the most popular wedding songs. Look for <\/span><b>music that brings back memories of your first date, a favorite artist, a special trip, or just a song you both enjoy.<\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In our experience, <\/span><b>couples are happiest when their first song feels personal, not just picked because it\u2019s popular.<\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pay attention to the lyrics, too. A song might sound romantic, but its meaning could be different. Take a moment to understand what the song is really about before you decide.<br \/><br \/><\/span><\/p><h3><b>2. Consider the Tempo and Rhythm<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The tempo can really affect how comfortable you feel while dancing. For beginners, we usually suggest <\/span><b>choosing a song with a clear and steady rhythm.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Slower songs <\/span><b>give you more time to stay connected, shift your weight, and get ready for each move.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Faster songs can work too, but they often <\/span><b>need more coordination and timing.<\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This doesn\u2019t mean you have to pick a slow ballad. If an upbeat beat reflects your relationship, come to our studio, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fredastaire.com\/dc-palisades\/staff\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">our team<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> will adjust the song to match the choreography.\u00a0<br \/><br \/><\/span><\/p><h3><b>3. Think About Your Experience<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Be honest about how comfortable you are with dancing. <\/span><b>If neither of you has danced before, picking a very fast song can add extra pressure.<\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">We often see couples who initially want a complex routine because they\u2019ve seen impressive wedding dances online. There\u2019s nothing wrong with ambitious choreography, but it should be <\/span><b>in line with your preparation time and experience.<\/b><\/p><p><b>A simple routine performed with confidence usually looks better <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">than a complicated style that\u2019s hard to remember.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Curious about what your first dancing session will be like? We\u2019ve put together a helpful guide just for you: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fredastaire.com\/dc-palisades\/blog\/ballroom-dance-lessons-in-washington\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The beginner\u2019s guide to taking ballroom dance lessons in Washington<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.\u00a0<br \/><br \/><\/span><\/p><h3><b>4. Decide How Much Choreography You Want<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Some couples want to learn a complete routine, while others just want enough steps to feel comfortable dancing together. Either way, both options can look great.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">At our dance studio in Palisades, near Washington, <\/span><b>we help couples create a choreography that matches their comfort level.<\/b> <b>We start with simple steps, turns, and transitions<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<br \/><br \/><\/span><\/p><h3><b>5. Consider Your Wedding Dress and Venue<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Many couples forget about this practical detail. Your dress, shoes, and venue space all affect which moves will work. <\/span><b>A big ballroom lets you move freely, but a compact space means you\u2019ll need to keep your steps smaller.<\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It&#8217;s a good idea to practice in your wedding shoes before your big day. You <\/span><b>don&#8217;t have to wear them to every lesson, but getting comfortable dancing in them with your song can help you feel more confident.<\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If you want to know how often you should practice, check out our guide: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fredastaire.com\/dc-palisades\/blog\/wedding-dance\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">How many lessons do you need for a wedding dance?<\/span><\/a><br \/><br \/><\/p><h2><b>Wedding First Dance Song Ideas<\/b><\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Here are some popular choices to help you get started:<br \/><br \/><\/span><\/p><h3><b>Romantic Slow Dances<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Classical slow dances are perfect if you want <\/span><b>your first unforgettable moment to feel close, relaxed, and easy to learn.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> We often suggest this style to beginners because it lets you focus on connecting and moving comfortably together.<\/span><\/p><p><b>Here are some of the best slow dance songs for weddings you should try<\/b><b>:<\/b><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cPerfect\u201d \u2013 Ed Sheeran<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cAll of Me\u201d \u2013 John Legend<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cCan&#8217;t Help Falling in Love\u201d \u2013 Elvis Presley<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cWonderful Tonight\u201d \u2013 Eric Clapton<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cA Thousand Years\u201d \u2013 Christina Perri<br \/><br \/><\/span><\/li><\/ul><h3><b>Waltz<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If you\u2019re looking for a graceful, elegant style, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fredastaire.com\/dc-palisades\/waltz\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Waltz<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> is a great choice. Its fluid movement can create a traditional ballroom atmosphere.<\/span><\/p><p><b>Here are a few wedding first dance song ideas you might enjoy:<\/b><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cLover\u201d \u2013 Taylor Swift<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cUntil I Found You\u201d \u2013 Stephen Sanchez<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cA Thousand Years\u201d \u2013 Christina Perri<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cMoon River\u201d \u2013 Andy Williams<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cKiss Me\u201d \u2013 Sixpence None the Richer<br \/><br \/><\/span><\/li><\/ul><h3><b>Rumba<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If you want a romantic style with a bit more movement, try <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fredastaire.com\/dc-palisades\/rumba\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Rumba<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. This style highlights <\/span><b>connection, musical interpretation, and controlled movement.<\/b><\/p><p><b>Here are some songs that work well:<\/b><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cAt Last\u201d \u2013 Etta James<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cThinking Out Loud\u201d \u2013 Ed Sheeran<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cThe Way You Look Tonight\u201d \u2013 Frank Sinatra<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cSomething\u201d \u2013 The Beatles<br \/><br \/><\/span><\/li><\/ul><h3><b>Foxtrot<\/b><\/h3><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fredastaire.com\/dc-palisades\/foxtrot\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Foxtrot<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> is a good choice if you like <\/span><b>smooth, sophisticated, and elegant dancing.<\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">These are some songs you might enjoy:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cL-O-V-E\u201d \u2013 Nat King Cole<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cFly Me to the Moon\u201d \u2013 Frank Sinatra<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cThe Way You Look Tonight\u201d \u2013 Frank Sinatra<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cCheek to Cheek\u201d \u2013 Ella Fitzgerald &amp; Louis Armstrong<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cDream a Little Dream of Me\u201d \u2013 Ella Fitzgerald<br \/><br \/><\/span><\/li><\/ul><h3><b>East Coast Swing<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If you want your unique moment to feel energetic and playful, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fredastaire.com\/dc-palisades\/east-coast-swing\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">East Coast Swing<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> adds personality. It also lets you try twists and fun changes in direction.<\/span><\/p><p><b>These are our favorite picks:<\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cYou Make My Dreams\u201d \u2013 Hall &amp; Oates<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cL-O-V-E\u201d \u2013 Nat King Cole<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cBeyond the Sea\u201d \u2013 Bobby Darin<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cValerie\u201d \u2013 Amy Winehouse<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cSway\u201d \u2013 Michael Bubl\u00e9<br \/><br \/><\/span><\/p><h3><b>Latin Dances<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If you want something livelier and more unique, consider <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fredastaire.com\/dc-palisades\/blog\/best-latin-dance-for-beginners-in-washington\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Latin dance for beginners in Washington<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. Latin styles like <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fredastaire.com\/dc-palisades\/cha-cha\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Cha Cha<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fredastaire.com\/dc-palisades\/salsa\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Salsa<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fredastaire.com\/dc-palisades\/bachata\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Bachata<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> can set a fun mood and let you show off your personality.<\/span><\/p><p><b>Here are some songs to help you get started:<\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cSway\u201d \u2013 Michael Bubl\u00e9<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cQuiz\u00e1s, Quiz\u00e1s, Quiz\u00e1s\u201d \u2013 Nat King Cole<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cB\u00e9same Mucho\u201d \u2013 Consuelo Vel\u00e1zquez<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cEres T\u00fa\u201d \u2013 Mocedades<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cBailando\u201d \u2013 Enrique Iglesias<br \/><br \/><\/span><\/p><h2><b>Make Your Wedding Day Special at Fred Astaire Dance Studios &#8211; Palisades<\/b><\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Your first dance should be just as personal and special as your wedding day. At <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fredastaire.com\/dc-palisades\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Fred Astaire Dance Studios &#8211; Palisades<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, we can help with anything from simple, comfortable steps to a fully choreographed routine that showcases your unique style as a couple.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">We can also make the celebration even more memorable by creating a Father\/Daughter or Mother\/Son dance so you can share a special moment with someone important to you.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ready to make your first dancing moment unforgettable?\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Check out our <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fredastaire.com\/dc-palisades\/introductory-offer\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">introductory offer<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> or call us at <\/span><a href=\"tel:+1202-988-2758\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">202-988-2758<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, and our team will contact you soon.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The best first dance songs for weddings are those that show who you are as a couple, fit your style, and feel comfortable to dance to. Many couples pick classic romantic ballads, but you don\u2019t have to follow tradition if it doesn\u2019t feel right. You might choose a modern love song, a favorite country tune, or something upbeat that makes your guests smile.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":461,"featured_media":8451,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8449","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-your-wedding-dance"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fredastaire.com\/dc-palisades\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8449","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fredastaire.com\/dc-palisades\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fredastaire.com\/dc-palisades\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fredastaire.com\/dc-palisades\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/461"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fredastaire.com\/dc-palisades\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8449"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.fredastaire.com\/dc-palisades\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8449\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fredastaire.com\/dc-palisades\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8451"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fredastaire.com\/dc-palisades\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8449"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fredastaire.com\/dc-palisades\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8449"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fredastaire.com\/dc-palisades\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8449"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}