Ready to find the perfect song for your first dance as husband and wife?
I’ll never forget when I was searching for my first dance song.
I knew that the song my husband and I danced to would be the most important part of our special evening, so I wanted it to be perfect. But, I found myself searching aimlessly, and falling short of finding a good match.
You see, back then, it was way more challenging.
I’m going to date myself a bit, and admit that my wedding song search consisted of the radio, and whatever music I had in my CD case.
Hard to imagine, right? If you think it’s difficult to find a song now, it felt nearly impossible back then. But, thank goodness the world evolved to digital music!
With that being said, today we have a new challenge.
While, having a wide variety of music right at your fingertips is a great thing, it can also feel overwhelming. Especially when you’re trying to find that one perfect song in a great big sea of choices.
In this post I’ll share how to find your perfect song, including the two most important elements to look for when choosing your music.
And, be sure to stick around until the end, because I have sample playlists for each genre of music, to get you inspired with song ideas.
Let’s dive in!
WHY FINDING THE PERFECT FIRST DANCE SONG IS SO IMPORTANT
Finding the perfect song is important, because it will have a direct impact on your first dance as husband and wife.
It’s the inspiration behind your entire dance, and will effect how you feel on the dance floor.
For example, when you choose a song that makes you feel a strong emotion like - inspired, happy, or romantic, it will evoke those same emotions during your first dance.
It will help you and your husband connect with the music, and make your guests feel connected to your song as they watch you dance.
And on a side note, it will also remind you of your wedding day, every time you hear it, for years to come.
HOW TO FIND THE PERFECT FIRST DANCE SONG FOR YOUR LOVE STORY
When it comes to finding the perfect first dance song, there are two very important elements to look for.
You'll want to choose a song that you and your fiance a) both love, and b) feel an emotional connection to, either by the way it makes you feel, or by the story it tells.
It might remind you of the day you first met.
Or, maybe it will paint a perfect picture of your wedding day.
Or, it may even make you dream about your future life as a married couple.
Either way, it should feel personal to you and your love story in some way, so your moment on the dance floor feels intimate and special.
A good place to find inspiration is by focusing on your relationship.
Think about the emotions you experience when thinking about the most important moments you have, and will, experience together as a couple (past, present, and future.)
For example:
The moment you first met and the excitement you felt during that time.
The happiness you feel when thinking about your wedding day.
How you feel when picturing your future life together as a married couple.
The goal is to find a song that makes you feel emotions that are very similar to the way you feel when thinking about these key elements of your relationship.
When you find your perfect song, you may even find that the lyrics seem like they were written just for you.
HOW TO FIND A FIRST DANCE SONG THAT FITS YOUR STYLE
Now that you have your love story in mind, it’s time to find a song that also fits your style.
I know there are a lot of popular songs out there, that would probably be perfect for your first dance, but if they don’t fit your style, you won’t feel natural dancing to them.
Instead, find a song that’s inline with your personality and taste in music, so you feel comfortable, and excited to dance.
Now, we mentioned earlier that trying to find your perfect song can feel overwhelming. But, the key is to know what to look for, and where to find it.
First, let’s talk about where to find your song.
One of the best places to find music is still, the good old fashioned radio.
This is an easy, passive way to find your song, because where do you usually listen to the radio?
In the car on your way to work, or at home while relaxing.
This way, if you happen to hear a song that catches your attention, you can take a minute to write it down, without taking up too much time.
But, if you’re ready to get down to business, there are more intentional ways to search for your song.
Here are some of my favorite places to search for music:
Amazon Music
Pandora
Apple Music
Spotify
YouTube
Google
Wedding Facebook Groups
Now, let’s look at what to search for on these platforms.
Knowing what to put in the search box, will help narrow down your search, and give you results that are more specific to what you’re looking for.
Here are some ideas of what to search for:
What genre of music do you like? For example, if you love country, try searching ‘country first dance songs’ or ‘country love songs’.
Who is your favorite artist? For example, if you love Ed Sheeran, try searching ‘Ed Sheeran first dance songs’, or Ed Sheeran love songs.
What type of first dance do you want?
For example:
For a traditional first dance, try searching “traditional first dance songs”
For a one-of-a-kind first dance, search for “unique first dance songs"
For a fast first dance, try searching “upbeat first dance songs”
If you want to surprise your guests with something different, try searching “fun first dance songs”
I have sample playlists in different genres of music to inspire you with ideas.
But first, let’s recap.
RECAP + ADDITIONAL TIPS
If you’re still with me, I want to congratulate you on hanging in there with me until the very end.
Here’s a recap of what we talked about:
Why finding a perfect first dance song is important
And, how it will help you and your guests feel connected to the music as you dance.
How to use your love story as inspiration to find the perfect song
And, the two key elements to look for when choosing your music.
How to find a song that fits your personal taste in music
And, how to use your favorite platforms to make your search easier.
And, last but not least, here are a few things to consider when making your final decision...
Can you envision dancing to this song at your wedding?
Does it deliver the same emotion that you want to feel during your first dance?
Will you still love it on your 50th wedding anniversary?
If you answered yes to these questions, you can rest assured that you’ve found your perfect match.
Now, let’s dive into some song inspiration…
COUNTRY FIRST DANCE SONGS
If you’re a big country music fan, you’re in luck.
These country first dance songs will make your heart melt.
Take a listen below.
This post includes affiliate links so you can listen to the wedding songs with convenience (this means by clicking, I may earn a small commission without any extra cost to you, which helps keep this blog up and running.)
You can listen to the entire playlist here >> Top Country Wedding Songs That Are Sweet As Pie
NON COUNTRY FIRST DANCE SONGS
Not a fan of country? No problem!
These songs will steal your heart, without the twang.
Take a listen below.
You can listen to the entire playlist here >> Perfect First Dance Songs That Aren’t Country
CLASSIC FIRST DANCE SONGS
Looking for a classic first dance song that you’ll still love for years to come?
These beautiful songs are timeless and sure to keep you and your fiance dancing throughout your married years.
Take a listen below.
UPBEAT FIRST DANCE SONGS
Want to turn it up a notch and surprise your guests with a fun dance?
These happy upbeat first dance songs will add a burst of energy to the reception dance floor.
Take a listen below.
How To Keep Track Of Your Wedding Song Playlist
Playing the perfect songs on your wedding day will help set the mood and create the right ambiance for every moment. But knowing which songs you’ll need and keeping track of all that music can be overwhelming.
If you want a complete list of every song you’ll need from ceremony to reception, you’re going to love my printable Wedding Song Checklist. It will help you keep track of all your songs and fill your big day with heartwarming music for every moment.
FREE WEDDING SONG CHECKLIST!
My FREE checklist will help you keep track of every wedding song you’ll need, from ceremony to reception.