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Function bands
Background musicians
Wedding song ideas
Planning a wedding soon? If you’re struggling for first dance song inspiration, there's no shame in choosing a tried-and-tested classic that's guaranteed to put a smile on everyone's faces. Here are our most requested songs.
Find the perfect live band for your wedding, anywhere in the UK.
Uplifting and elegant, At Last is an extraordinary paean to love that
will be on this list for years to come. Etta James's gospel-tinged
vocals are the perfect vehicle for the song's message: a final
deliverance from loneliness. Expect more than a few tears.
Thanks in part to two recent Hollywood biopics about Elvis, this much-covered classic has seen a huge resurgence in popularity over the last couple of years. Let The King serenade you into married life.
Sway sweetly to this lilting Arctic Monkeys cover of Barbara Lewis’ classic 1965 hit. It's only two and a half minutes long, so if you find the thought of a first dance awkward, this one's for you!
Released in 1971, and ranked the 60th greatest song of all time by
Rolling Stone Magazine, Let's Stay Together is a winner. Timeless and
loved by all, it won't let you down. For a more energetic take on the
song, check out Tina Turner's 1992 version.
Set to a beat perfect for softly swaying, Taylor Swift’s Lover has been hugely popular over the past few months as a contemporary option for those looking for slow dance vibes. Describing a desire to stay close forever and ever, it’s pretty much made for wedding dances.
Iconic right from its first few notes, this 1961 classic will be both familiar and fun for both you and your guests. This cross-generational, sing-a-long, crowd-pleaser will set your evening off on the perfect footing.
Featured in The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1, A Thousand
Years was American singer-songwriter Christina Perri’s second big UK
hit. This modern and romantic song brings a bit of ethereal fantasy to
your first dance. And younger guests will love it too.
Originally released in 1970, Your Song was given new leases of life
by Moulin Rouge (2001) and Rocketman (2019). An enduringly popular first
dance wedding song and a true song of the ages, it's a beautiful way to
start your married life together.
Despite only making it to number 2 in the UK charts, this track was a
massive hit, and hugely popular amongst the newlyweds of Britain. The
romantic lyrics and passionate vocal from John Legend make this the
ultimate slow dance song.
Dan and Shay released this smooth country pop love song back in 2022. Choose from the original track from their fourth studio album, Good Things, or the acoustic version for a more laidback feel.
All generations will know this one, and you can sing along even if
you don't know the words. With its slow, romantic start and its rousing,
crowd-pleasing finish, this is surely one of the most popular first
dance wedding songs of all time.
A mainstay of our top first dance list, Grow Old With Me is a
fantastic sentiment to start your married lives with. Don’t worry, our
wedding bands will perform the clean version if preferred.
Originally released by Bob Dylan, Make You Feel My Love has been covered by numerous famous faces ever since. But it's Adele's powerful version which may outlast them all. Easy to dance to, heartfelt and timeless, it's a perfect first dance choice.
Arthur's huge 2016 hit is a truly modern take on first dates and a commitment to a future together. The ending is sudden, so you'll need an attentive band or DJ ready to go straight into the next song.
This slow-building anthem from 2016 is sure to intensify the emotions the room. From its intimate beginnings to its euphoric final choruses, goosebumps are inevitable.
Jason Mraz's biggest hit, the breezy I'm Yours, was once a mainstay
of our first dance charts. Not any more. Released in 2012, I Won't Give
Up is an altogether more introspective track about persisting with love
in the face of adversity: "I won’t give up on us, even if the skies get
rough".
Kick off your evening celebrations on an upbeat, soulful note. This toe-tapping, 1975 Grammy-winning banger drips with joy and sass in equal measure and is guaranteed to leave you and your guests beaming from ear to ear.
This song was written by Stevie Wonder to celebrate the birth of his daughter, and so regularly features as a father-daughter dance. Don't mind that though – the lyrics are adaptable, and it makes for an equally upbeat and joyous first dance number.
What more appropriate way to mark you and your newly wed's own Greatest Day? This mood-raising favourite from Take That’s 2008 comeback album is guaranteed to create a first dance memory to last a lifetime.
Barry White’s inimitable growl, the climactic chorus and that gentle, funky 70s groove adds up to the smoothest of first dances.
Winner of Song Of The Year at The Grammys in 2016, this number 1 single from Ed Sheeran still delivers. The lyrics from this instant classic don't promise human perfection, but loving acceptance of each other's faults, and a beautiful sentiment for a strong marriage.
From Jack Johnson's first album, In Between Dreams (2005), this sweet love song was huge at the time and is still one of the most common first dance song requests. Johnson recently performed this live on One World: Together At Home and reminded us how much we love it.
A timeless classic, L.O.V.E. is requested year after year. Short and sweet, this beautiful, jazzy love song is widely know by all as it's still used frequently in film and TV. If your dancing skills are limited, it's rhythmic but gentle pace makes for an easy two-step.
Originally written by folk-rock band The Waterboys, Ellie Goulding covered the song for the 2013 movie About Time. The lyrics speak for themselves, with a message of loving someone forever: "How long will I love you, as long as stars are above you, and longer if I can".
Kodaline are an alternative rock quartet from Dublin, and this hit comes from their second studio album, Coming Up for Air, released in 2015. This has been a hugely popular first dance with newlyweds in the years since, and we expect it to feature on our first dance lists for many years yet.
An oldie but a goodie, Just the Two of Us was recently brought to a whole new young audience thanks to the Tik Tok algorithm. Originally released in 1980, Bill Withers’ hit offers romance, jazzy vibes and an upbeat alternative to slow dances.
Written for his wife-to-be Cherry and released in 2017, this song is
still riding high in the first dance charts today. It was number 1 in
the UK, the USA and 16 other countries around the world, and was
followed up by duets with Beyoncé and Andrea Bocelli.
A new entry in the list, hopeless romantics will love this soft and sweet song from Ruelle. Touching lyrics are set to a twinkling piano backing track, giving us major warm and fuzzy feels. There won’t be a dry eye in the house.
This breezy pop song from Queen Bey is a sure-fire crowd-pleaser.
It's also one of the most upbeat and danceable songs on our list. So if
you're a shy dancer, it's going to be easy to get guests involved for
the second half of the song. The endless key changes at the end are
uplifting and fun.
This ethereal number from Norah Jones's eponymous 2002 debut is about escaping with your lover, and has "wedding song" written all over it. With its slow pace and gentle waltz-like feel, Come Away With Me is also a great choice if you've got two left feet.
This jaunty Sinatra classic is the perfect choice for a fun couple looking to keep the moment light. With heart-felt lyrics and huge scores on the cuteness scale, your guests will be swinging and singing along in no time.
This 1965, smooth-as-glass British number 1 is just the tempo you need to slightly awkwardly rock side-to-side in true first dance style in front of your friends and family. If your guests can hit the high notes in the final section, they all deserve another drink as well!
New entry! Singer-songwriter, Ryann Darling, wrote I Choose You back in 2015 as she was preparing to marry her husband. She surprised him with a performance of the song on the day and later released the track for other couples to use on their own wedding days.
There are epic first dances and then there are Aerosmith first dances. The theme song for 1998 sci-fi adventure Armageddon, this song will launch your married life on a truly cinematic scale. And remember, there is no shame in air-guitaring your way through it.
Whether a sincere selection or a tongue-in-cheek choice, this US number 1 from 1999 has drum fills, air grabs and suitably grandiose lyrical content to make an unforgettable first dance moment for you and your spouse. There will be swaying, there will be tears.
For the full-throttle romantics, Train's Pat Monahan has hit the nail on the head with this gentle, meandering, acoustic ballad. It's called Marry Me and it's your first dance song at your wedding. Why complicate things? Pass the guitar...
If you're looking for cosmic-scale expressions of love from Middlesborough's finest, then look no further than this raw, soaring 2018 ballad. A poignant, gentle choice for a truly intimate pause in the busyness of your wedding day.
Surprise your guests with this intimate, acoustic spin on this 80s classic from The Proclaimers. If you're booking a band, have them transition into the rowdy original version for the second half of the song – it's guaranteed to get everyone on the dancefloor and singing along.
The king of flattery and contemporary love songs, John Legend delivers again with this celebration of true love, natural beauty and his excellent falsetto. Put your bride in the spotlight and lip sync this one to mark the moment in style.
Returning from an 8 year hiatus, Nutini is back with this lilting instant classic that is guaranteed to become a first dance favourite. It's a soulful choice with a chorus hook to scream together with your friends and family – you won't regret it.
This timeless, lilting 2008 chart-topper remains a popular upbeat choice for the easy-breezy surfer types that want a touch of sunshine sprinkled over their first dance. A scatting, acoustic, crowd-pleaser.
If you're an outgoing, expressive sort of groom, you can't do much better than pointing purposefully at your new spouse and screaming “I think I want to marry you” in front of all your guests.
This funk favourite from Earth, Wind & Fire is a hugely popular upbeat choice. Rather than gently swaying in the middle of a crowded room, get the party started straight away!
Your first dance is a great opportunity for you to share a special moment with your spouse and your guests. You could choose a song that represents your relationship or has a special meaning to you and your fiancé, or simply a song you both love!
The most meaningful songs might reveal themselves gradually over time and could be as ordinary as a tune you both do the washing up to. It triggers memories of good times spent together and can symbolise your hopes and wishes for your marriage and future together.
If you don't have a special tune in mind though, just browse our top 43 first dance wedding songs above!
If you've already booked a live band, you'll need to decide whether they perform it live or play the track through their PA system. So think about what you’d prefer – the track exactly as you remember it, or a band who’ll put their own spin on it.
Unless you've chosen a second dance (to dance with close relatives), make sure the band or DJ are ready to start their first set as soon as the song has finished. It avoids awkward pauses and keeps your guests where you want them – on the dancefloor!
If you've booked a band, be aware of how their instruments compare to those on the track. Say you've booked a guitar-based rock band but you really want All Of Me by John Legend for your first dance. The band will likely give you a beautiful arrangement, perhaps with acoustic guitars subbed for electric guitars, but it's going to sound very different without the piano part.
Many wedding bands are happy to learn your first dance song free of charge, unless the song is fairly obscure or needs re-arranging for their line-up and instrumentation. If that's the case, the band may need to make for additional rehearsal time.
If your band aren’t able to arrange your song to suit their line up, or if you’d rather hear the original version, most would be happy to run the song through their PA system.
Perhaps you're the type who wants to put on a show and have even found a choreographer to teach you a dance routine – in which case, great, we're not going to take that away from you!
But if the thought of stepping out onto the dancefloor fills you with dread, choose a first dance which is short and sweet. 'The Nearness Of You' by Norah Jones clocks in at around 3 minutes.
Alternatively, speak to your wedding band or DJ on the day and ask them to make an announcement after the first chorus inviting your guests to join you on the dancefloor. This way, the spotlight will be on you for a shorter amount of time without taking away from your special moment.
If you're seriously uncomfortable being in the limelight even for a moment, and would rather not dance alone at all, choose a classic everyone knows and encourage guests of all generations to join you on the dance floor from the outset. Nina Simone's ‘My Baby Just Cares For Me’ or 'The Way You Look Tonight' by Tony Bennett are universally loved first dances. For something more modern, a bit of Beyoncé or Bruno is bound to get everyone onto their feet!
A typical song lasts between 3 and 4 minutes, which is ample time for your first dance! We wouldn't recommend choosing a particularly long song if you're nervous about being the centre of attention, though you could always ask your band to shorten it for you.
Short and sweet love songs are ideal, or a popular song with a well known chorus that guests can join in with can make the time fly!
Research by the online magazine Chillisauce revealed that 40% of brides and grooms took dancing lessons for their first dance. 6% of couples even organised a surprise flash mob with family members and/or friends.
If you're nervous, it might be helpful to practice with professional help, or choreograph a few simple steps to put your mind at ease for the big moment. If you're a keen dancer, a fully choreographed routine is always a welcome surprise for the guests!
If you have a toast master booked for your wedding, announcing the first dance could be their final task of the day!
Alternatively, your band or DJ will be happy to announce you onto the dancefloor. The band or DJ can also help by inviting your guests to join you on the dancefloor at a previously agreed upon moment of the song.
The first dance is a symbolic presentation of the newlyweds to their guests, in the form of a dance! It's the perfect moment for your guests to celebrate the union, and show their enthusiasm and love for the two as a couple.
This is a chance to share a little of your love story with your invited guests, and for them to cheer you on at the beginning of your marriage.
The guests joining the newlyweds on the dancefloor symbolises the joining of two families, and the guests supporting the couple in their marriage going forward.
We recommend scheduling the first dance for after dinner, as the first song of your wedding band's first set. This is a great way to start the dancing and getting all your guests to congregate around the dancefloor to make the most of your carefully chosen live band!
Your band will be happy to talk through the timings of the night with you, and recommend the perfect time to present your first dance to your guests.
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Get on the dancefloor with your dad! From sentimental ballads to upbeat anthems, are our top father-daughter dance songs for your wedding.
Your wedding may well be the first time you’ve had to book live music. To take some of the head scratching out of the process, we've put together 15 essential questions to ask your wedding band.
Make the most of the last few moments of your big day with an epic closing number. Here's our take on the best last dance songs for your wedding in 2025.
Whether you're looking for first dance inspo or the perfect wedding song for your bridal exit, here are our top picks – from romantic ballads to upbeat Motown sing-a-longs and fun rock anthems.
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