First Dance Songs for Your Wedding Reception

Choosing the perfect first dance song for your wedding is an important part of your wedding playlist.

Whether you’re looking for a slow and sweet ballad, an upbeat love song, a modern or a classic song, Here is a list of some songs that are sure to set the tone for a memorable and magical first dance as Husband and wife.

1. Tonight Looks Good on You – Jason Aldean

Tonight Looks Good on You” by Jason Aldean. This upbeat and romantic song speaks to the timelessness of love and the way it can make even the most ordinary moments feel extraordinary. 

With lyrics like

“Girl you look good in that dress
You look like you’re ready to impress
You got the kind of body that could drive a man insane,”

it’s sure to set the tone for a night of love and celebration.

Lyrics to Love: 

Girl tonight looks good on you
Somethin’ bout the way you’re smilin’
Makin’ them stars fall right on cue
I just gotta tell you baby
Tonight looks good on you
“There is nothing for me but to love you/And the way you look tonight”

2. A Moment Like This – Kelly Clarkson 

Kelly Clarkson’s hit song is a classic choice for a wedding first dance, and for good reason. With its soaring chorus and poignant lyrics, it’s a perfect anthem for a couple starting their journey together. 

It’s full of emotion and will surely have you and your partner feeling all the love on your special day.

This emotional ballad is all about the feeling of finally finding the person you’ve been searching for and realizing that everything you’ve ever wanted is right in front of you.

Lyrics to Love: 

A moment like this, some people wait a lifetime for a moment like this
Some people search forever for that one special kiss
Oh, I can’t believe it’s happening to me
Some people wait a lifetime for a moment like this

3. XO- Beyonce 

Beyonce’s upbeat and romantic song is a perfect choice for a couple looking to start their first dance with a bang. 

“XO” is a fun and upbeat song that is perfect for couples who want to add a little bit of energy to their first dance. With its catchy hook and infectious beat, this song is sure to get everyone on the dance floor.

Lyrics to Love: 

In the darkest night hour (in the darkest night hour)
I’ll search through the crowd (I’ll search through the crowd)
Your face is all that I see
I’ll give you everything
Baby love me lights out

4. Biblical – Calum Scott

Calum Scott’s “Biblical” is a more recent addition to the list of popular first dance songs. With its emotive lyrics and soaring chorus, this song is all about the way that love can lift us up and carry us through even the toughest of times. 

This slow and soulful ballad is perfect for couples who want to have a romantic and intimate first dance.

5. You and I – One Direction  

One Direction’s “You and I” is another popular choice for first dance songs. This sweet and romantic song is all about the unbreakable bond between two people who are meant to be together.

One Direction’s You and I upbeat and romantic song is a great choice for a couple looking to dance to something a little more modern and fun. The lyrics, “You and I, we’re unstoppable/I’ll be by your side, we’ll be unstoppable” are perfect for a couple starting their journey together.

Lyrics to Love: 

You and I, we don’t wanna be like them
We can make it ’til the end
Nothing can come between you and I
Not even the Gods above
Can separate the two of us
No, nothing can come between you and I
Oh, you and I

6. How Would You Feel- Ed Sheeran

Ed Sheeran’s “How Would You Feel” is another great first dance song option. With its heartfelt lyrics and soulful melody, this song is all about the depth of a couple’s love and commitment to one another. Ed With its slow tempo and beautiful lyrics, it’s sure to bring tears to the eyes of all in attendance.

Lyrics to Love: 

How would you feel, if I told you I loved you?
It’s just something that I want to do
I’ll be taking my time, spending my life
Falling deeper in love with you
So tell me that you love me too

7. Never Enough – Loren Allred

“Never Enough” from The Greatest Showman is an interesting choice for a first dance song at weddings. It’s a powerful ballad with emotional lyrics that many couples find resonates with their relationship.

 It’s a ballad with a slow tempo and lyrics that express the feeling of being in love and never wanting it to end. The song has a romantic and emotional tone that makes it a good fit for a wedding.

Lyrics to love: 

Take my hand
Will you share this with me?
‘Cause darling, without you
All the shine of a thousand spotlights
All the stars we steal from the night sky
Will never be enough
Never be enough

8. Give Me Love – Ed Sheeran

“Give Me Love” by Ed Sheeran is a popular choice for a first dance song at a wedding. The song is a romantic ballad that speaks to the theme of love and commitment. It has a sweet, emotional melody and heartfelt lyrics that make it a perfect choice for a wedding first dance. The song has a slow tempo and a simple, stripped-down arrangement, which makes it easy to dance to.

The lyrics are deeply romantic and convey the idea of wanting to spend the rest of one’s life with the person one loves.

Lyrics to Love:

Give a little time to me, or burn this out
We’ll play hide and seek to turn this around
All I want is the taste that your lips allow
My, my, my, my, oh give me love
My, my, my, my, oh give me love
My, my, my, my, oh give me love

9. Thinking Out Loud – Ed Sheeran

Another classic first dance song from Ed Sheeran is “Thinking Out Loud”. This romantic ballad is all about the enduring power of love and the way it can weather any storm. 

Another reason “Thinking Out Loud” is a popular choice for a first dance song is because of its poignant and heartfelt lyrics. The song’s chorus includes the lines 

“And darling I will be loving you ’til we’re 70 
And baby my heart could still fall as hard at 23,” 

This speaks to the idea of a love that endures and grows over time.

Lyrics to Love:

So honey now
Take me into your loving arms
Kiss me under the light of a thousand stars
Place your head on my beating heart
I’m thinking out loud
Maybe we found love right where we are

10. To Love Somebody- Bee Gees 

The Bee Gees’ classic love song is a perfect choice for a couple’s first dance. With its slow tempo and beautiful lyrics that speak to the timelessness of love and sings like a declaration of love, it’s sure to bring tears to the eyes of all in attendance.

Lyrics to love: 

You don’t know what it’s like, baby
You don’t know what it’s like
To love somebody
To love somebody
The way I love you

11. At Last – Etta James

Lyrics to love:

At last, my love has come along
My lonely days are over
And life is like a song

12. Can’t Help Falling in Love – Any of the versions

Lyrics to Love:

Wise men say
Only fools rush in
But I can’t help falling in love with you
Shall I stay?
Would it be a sin
If I can’t help falling in love with you?

13. All of Me – John Legend

Lyrics to love:

‘Cause all of me
Loves all of you
Love your curves and all your edges
All your perfect imperfections
Give your all to me
I’ll give my all to you
You’re my end and my beginning
Even when I lose, I’m winning
‘Cause I give you all of me
And you give me all of you, oh-oh

14. Pink + Chris – Love Me Anyway

Lyrics to love:

Could you? (Ooh, could you still love me?)
Could you? (Pick up the pieces of me?)
Could you? (Could you still love me?)
Could you love me anyway?
Could you? (Could you catch me when I fall?)
Could you? (And we rise above it all)
Could you? (And hold me when it hurts)
Like it’s the end of the world

15. Love Story (Taylor’s Version)- Taylor Swift

Lyrics of Love:

Romeo, take me somewhere we can be alone
I’ll be waiting, all there’s left to do is run
You’ll be the prince and I’ll be the princess
It’s a love story, baby, just say, “Yes”

These are just a few suggestions, but the important thing is to choose a song that has special meaning to you and your partner. It could be a song that was playing when you first met or a song that has always been “your song.” Whatever you choose, it should be a song that represents your relationship and makes you feel happy and romantic.