The politics behind choosing that first dance song are more complex than you would imagine. Here are ten tips for making sure you get off on the right foot:
Your first dance song tells your guests how you feel about each other so check the lyrics and make sure they really do relate to your relationship. Don’t be afraid to go for classic just because it’s unoriginal. They’re called classics for a reason and will add elegance to your reception.
Your first dance song should be meaningful to both you and your new husband. Don’t try to convince him to dance to song he doesn’t like, particularly if it was ‘your song’ in a previous relationship.
Try to find something timeless for your first dance song. You will hear it played at every anniversary you ever have, and you want to make sure it’s something you’ll still like in forty years time.
Spend an evening with your fiance just browsing through your CD collection, and playing albums that you’ve bought together. There may be something perfect that you just hadn’t thought of.
It may sound obvious, but your first dance music needs to be something you can actually dance to. If it’s too slow you may just end up swaying together on the dance floor. Many couples are now taking dance lessons before their big day and a professional dance teacher can tell you whether your chosen track is suitable for dancing as well as suggesting the best type of dance for your track.
The lyrics to your first song should be romantic but tasteful as you won’t want your grandmother blushing when she hears anything too explicit referring to her little granddaughter.
If you’re nervous and not sure you can cope with a statement first dance, just pick a well known tune that’s easy to dance to such as ‘The way you look tonight’ by Frank Sinatra, or ‘What a wonderful world’ by Louis Armstrong. Encourage your best man and maid of honour to join you on the dance floor after a minute or so.
If you find the idea of a first dance a bit too soppy, but don’t want to eschew tradition altogether, why not pick a humorous first dance song. ‘Let’s call the whole thing off’ by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong, or ‘Love is strange’ by Mickey & Sylvia are good tongue-in-cheek choices.
Check the length of any song you choose. Four minutes is about right for a first dance; any more will feel like an eternity for you and your guests.
If you want your band to play your first dance song, make sure they already know it, or are willing to learn it. Also try to have a trial run with them in the lead up to the wedding as dancing to a live band will always be slightly different to dancing to recorded music.
If you’re still stuck for inspiration, check out the Easy Weddings wedding songs section. If you can’t find the perfect tune on there, perhaps one of the artists has released something else you love.
