70 First Dance Songs from Real Weddings

Struggling to find the perfect song for your newlywed dance? Get inspired by these tunes, which were chosen by some of our featured couples.

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Steve Cowell Photography

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One of the first "official" tasks as newlyweds? To hit the dance floor! The first dance is a sweet, beloved tradition, but it also puts some pressure on the bride and groom. Not only do they have to take their spin in front of all of their guests (leading some pairs to book lessons or practice beforehand), but they have to select a first dance song that really speaks to their relationship. If you're bad at decision-making, don't sweat it—you and your partner certainty aren't alone. As you'll soon read, some couple's don't choose their first dance tune until the last minute! Just remember, the moment doesn't have to be too serious. You're allowed to have fun, and even improvise, as your attendees likely care more about seeing you smiling than watching you pull off an immaculate performance.

All that being said, if the event means a lot to you, we recommend devoting some time to planning it. Thinking about or researching first dance song ideas is a task that many soon-to-be spouses truly enjoy. Not only does it let you spend some quality time listening to tracks together, but it also lets you reflect on your love story, and try to capture the essence of it with music.

Check out these unique first dance songs—which span tons of artists and genres—from real weddings for inspiration. Whether the following couples picked emotional songs with meaning or beats specifically chosen to get celebrants on their feet, they all happily danced their ways into married life.

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"Thinking Out Loud"

Lacie Hansen Photography

Go Inside This Intimate Wedding

These newlyweds were all smiles as they swayed to Ed Sheeran's "Thinking Out Loud."

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"Tennessee Whiskey"

Joel Serrato

See More from This Napa Wedding

"Choosing songs was one of the most memorable parts of wedding planning," this bride shared, especially since it involved "listening to every song, and of course, impromptu dance sessions to test them out." She and her groom picked "Tennessee Whiskey" by Chris Stapleton for their first spin.

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"How Long Will I Love You"

Vienna Glenn Photography

Go Inside This Organic Wedding

"How Long Will I Love You" by Ellie Goulding played as these two hit the dance floor.

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"Treasure"

Corbin Gurkin

See More from This Christmas-Themed Wedding

The groom selected "Treasure" by Bruno Mars for his first dance with his new wife. "We're not the best dancers so it was embarrassing but so much fun," the bride admitted.

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"This Will Be Our Year"

Elizabeth Messina

Go Inside This Chic Wedding

"Choosing the song for our first dance was the hardest thing," this bride revealed. "We have a lot of crossover taste in music, but we also have a lot of different taste in music. It got heated!" Like all good couples, these two eventually compromised, and danced to "This Will Be Our Year" by the Zombies.

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"Stand by Me"

Paula O'Hara

See More from This Ireland Wedding

This pair shared a sweet moment moving to Ben E. King's "Stand by Me."

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"You Are The First, My Last, My Everything"

Ryan Ray Photography

Go Inside This Garden-Themed Wedding

"You Are The First, My Last, My Everything" by Barry White played as these spouses took their first dance as newlyweds.

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"Bless the Broken Road"

Clary Pfeiffer Photography

See More from This Modern Wedding

This couple went with "Bless the Broken Road" by Rascal Flatts. "We dated several times over the decade we've known each other and the lyrics of this song fit our relationship so beautifully," the bride told us.

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"Peachtree Street"

KT Merry

Go Inside This Personalized Wedding

"Peachtree Street" by Frank Sinatra and Rosemary Clooney served as the soundtrack to this pair's first dance, which took place on a unique dance floor.

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"Loving You Easy"

Joel Serrato

See More from This Breathtaking Wedding

One of this couple's favorite dates was going to a Zac Brown Band concert, so they picked "Loving You Easy."

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"Somewhere Over the Rainbow"

Kyle John Photography

Go Inside This Fashionable Wedding

This bride's cousin surprised her and her new husband by singing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" for their first dance.

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"True"

Jose Villa

See More from This Autumnal Wedding

These spouses spun to "True" by George Strait.

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"So High" and "Darte un Beso"

Koby Brown

Go Inside This Lemon-Themed Wedding

This couple danced to two different songs: "So High" by John Legend and a slowed-down cover of "Darte un Beso" by Prince Royce.

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"Swept Away [Sentimental Version]"

Fer Juaristi

See More from This Florida Wedding

These two swayed to "Swept Away [Sentimental Version]" by The Avett Brothers because they saw the band perform on one of their first dates.

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"Crazy for You"

Ben Christensen Photography

Go Inside This Destination Wedding

These grooms put Madonna's "Crazy for You" on for their first dance.

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"Manhattan"

Lauren Jonas

See More from This Luxurious Wedding

This pair put on their dancing shoes for "Manhattan" by Kings of Leon.

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"Then I Kissed Her"

Mariel Hannah Photography

Go Inside This Jane Austen-Inspired Wedding

The bride and groom both love the Beach Boys, so they twirled to "Then I Kissed Her" for their first dance.

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"Lovin' You, Baby"

Rachel Meagan Photography

See More from This Rainy Wedding

These newlyweds danced to "Lovin' You, Baby" by Charles Bradley, performed by Aaron McDonnell and the Neon Eagles. "We love Aaron McDonnell and his band, and really wanted him to play it," the bride shared. "He said he would learn it, as long as we were fine with it sounding like Alan Jackson covering Charles Bradley."

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"Green Eyes"

Mike Cassimatis

Go Inside This St. Louis Wedding

These two danced into married life with Coldplay's "Green Eyes" playing.

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"Lovely Day"

Merari Photography

See More from This Wedding with an Epic Venue

This couple set their first dance to "Lovely Day" by Bill Withers. The groom was nervous about his two left feet, so the pair took dance lessons before their celebration.

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"How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)"

Anna Shackleford

Go Inside This Garden Wedding

This groom spun his bride to "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)" by James Taylor.

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"Feeling Good"

Shannen Natasha of The Wedding Artists Collective

See More from This Modern Wedding

"Feeling Good" by Nina Simone was selected for this wedding's first dance.

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"At Last"

Henry + Mac

Go Inside This Family-Oriented Wedding

These spouses chose "At Last" by Etta James for the first dance at their celebration.

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"L-O-V-E"

Katherine Rose & Luke Griffin of Max and Friends

See More from This Personality-Packed Wedding

Before their wedding, this couple took dance lessons, but on the big day, they wound up winging it to "L-O-V-E" by Nat King Cole.

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"I Will"

Thayer Allyson Gowdy

Go Inside This Shelter Island Wedding

These spouses stepped out for their first dance to "I Will" by the Beatles.

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"99 Problems"

Lacie Hansen Photography

See More from This Snowy Wedding

Jay-Z's "99 Problems" might be a surprising choice for a first dance song, but this couple explained that they "wanted something fun to let loose to." Plus, their folksy band put a unique spin on it.

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"Harvest Moon"

Nina and Wes Photography

Go Inside This New Year's Eve Wedding

"Harvest Moon" by Neil Young played as these spouses danced together.

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"Shot at the Night"

Mirelle Carmichael Photography

See More from This Boho Wedding

"We went back and forth choosing a song, with friends and family (and the internet) telling us we should do something traditional. One day when we were driving, ['Shot at the Night' by the Killers] came on and it just clicked," this bride said. "We knew we had to dance to our favorite song, no matter what anyone thought. It still is one of our favorite parts of the wedding."

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"Crazy Love"

Lacie Hansen Photography

Go Inside This San Francisco Wedding

This couple went with Van Morrison's "Crazy Love" for their first dance song.

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"They Bring Me to You"

Our Labor of Love

Groomsman Joshua Radin performed his song "They Bring Me to You" for this couple's first spin on the dance floor.

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"Si Tu Vois Ma Mère"

Elisabeth Millay Photography

The newlyweds chose Sidney Bechet's "Si Tu Vois Ma Mère" as their first dance song.

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"Springtime"

Mr. Haack

This reception began with the newlyweds dancing to "Springtime" by Annuals. During their engagement, the couple took classic dance lessons to prepare for the big moment, and, thanks to their instructor, they wowed the crowd with their moves.

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"One and Only"

Carrie Patterson Photography

Adele's "One and Only" played as these newlyweds took to the dance floor.

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"You Are the Best Thing"

Nancy Ray Photography

These spouses shared their first married dance to "You Are the Best Thing" by Ray LaMontagne.

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"You Got It"

Chrisman Studios

The only point of stress for this bride was the first dance. Why? Because historically the groom wasn't much of a dancer. After a few denied requests at some semblance of a run-through, the newlyweds hit the floor blindly to Roy Orbison's "You Got It." "On the day of the wedding he came out with [quite a routine],"the bride said, rendering her utterly amazed.

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"The Emperor Waltz"

Claire Morgan

These newlyweds selected "Emperor Waltz" by Johann Strauss II, the traditional opening tune at all royal balls, for its gorgeous melody, but also because of its special meaning. The groom's friend lovingly refers to the couple as the Emperor and Empress.

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70 First Dance Songs from Real Weddings

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"Thinking Out Loud"

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"Tennessee Whiskey"

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"How Long Will I Love You"

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"Treasure"

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"This Will Be Our Year"

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"Stand by Me"

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"You Are The First, My Last, My Everything"

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"Bless the Broken Road"

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"Peachtree Street"

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"Loving You Easy"

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"Somewhere Over the Rainbow"

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"True"

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"So High" and "Darte un Beso"

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"Swept Away [Sentimental Version]"

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"Crazy for You"

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"Manhattan"

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"Then I Kissed Her"

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"Lovin' You, Baby"

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"Green Eyes"

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"Lovely Day"

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"How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)"

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"Feeling Good"

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"At Last"

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"L-O-V-E"

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"I Will"

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