Picking the first dance tune can be tricky, and I'm always getting asked for ideas. So here's a compiled list of songs that have been popular over the last few months – I've made a Spotify playlist here of every track.
A lot of these also make great ceremony songs – I'm always happy to play instrumental sax versions during the daytime.
Romantic Classics
- This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) – Natalie Cole
- At Last – Etta James
- Can't Help Falling In Love – Elvis Presley
- L-O-V-E – Nat King Cole
- Fly Me to the Moon – Frank Sinatra
- The Way You Look Tonight – Frank Sinatra
- Unforgettable – Nat King Cole
Modern Romantic
- Perfect – Ed Sheeran
- Thinking Out Loud – Ed Sheeran
- All of Me – John Legend
- A Thousand Years – Christina Perri
- Marry Me – Train
- Better Together – Jack Johnson
- I Get to Love You – Ruelle
- Speechless – Dan + Shay
- Tenerife Sea – Ed Sheeran
- Lover – Taylor Swift
- You Are the Best Thing – Ray LaMontagne
Soulful & Stripped-Back
- Make You Feel My Love – Adele
- Stand By Me – Ben E. King
- Lovely Day – Bill Withers
- Ain't No Mountain High Enough – Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
- Let's Stay Together – Al Green
- My Girl – The Temptations
- God Only Knows – The Beach Boys
- Wonderful Tonight – Eric Clapton
Upbeat / Get-Everyone-Up
- Signed, Sealed, Delivered – Stevie Wonder
- Marry You – Bruno Mars
- Can't Stop the Feeling – Justin Timberlake
- I Wanna Dance With Somebody – Whitney Houston
- September – Earth, Wind & Fire
- You Make My Dreams Come True – Hall & Oates
- Walking on Sunshine – Katrina & The Waves
- Crazy in Love – Beyoncé
- Forever – Chris Brown
A Little Different
- Ho Hey – The Lumineers
- First Day of My Life – Bright Eyes
- Lucky – Jason Mraz & Colbie Caillat
- Yellow – Coldplay
- Home – Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
- Iris – Goo Goo Dolls
- Better Half of Me – Tom Walker
- Flowers in Your Hair – The Lumineers
- Banana Pancakes – Jack Johnson
- Latch (Acoustic) – Sam Smith
- Lover, You Should've Come Over – Jeff Buckley
- Came Here for Love – Sigala (great for acoustic-to-party transition)
Quick FAQs
How long should the first dance be? Most couples cut it down to 1.5–2 minutes. The full track can drag if it's a slow one.
Should we get lessons? A couple of lessons can take the pressure right off – but a sway and a smile is honestly all you need.
Can sax play during the first dance? Absolutely – instrumental sax over the original track works beautifully, then I can lead your guests onto the dancefloor when the second song kicks in.
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