90+ Best First Dance Songs for Your Wedding

Some couples have their song: a symbolic, romantic tune that personifies their entire relationship. When it comes time for a first dance, it's their go-to. For those who don’t have a song, however, it's a little more difficult. We talked to DJs and wedding planners to find out what songs should make the cut. Here, the definitive list of the best first dance songs, based on their insights.

Classic First Dance Songs

1. "Ain't That A Kick In The Head," by Dean Martin
2. "At Last," by Etta James
3. "Baby I'm Yours," by Arctic Monkeys
4. "Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Babe," by Barry White
5. "Can't Help Falling in Love," by Elvis Presley
6. "Can't Take My Eyes Off You," by Andy Williams
7. "Come Fly with Me," by Frank Sinatra
8. "Crazy Love," by Van Morrison
9. "Dancing in the Moonlight," by King Harvest
10. "Dream a Little Dream of Me," by Etta Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong
11. "First Time Ever I Saw Your Face," by Roberta Flack
12. "Fly Me to the Moon," by Frank Sinatra
13. "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)," by Four Tops
14. "I've Got the World on a String," by Louis Armstrong
15. "L-O-V-E," by Nat King Cole
16. "Let's Fall in Love," by Vic Damone
17. "Let's Stay Together," by Al Green
18. "Sunday Kind of Love," by Etta James
19. "That's Amore," by Dean Martin
20. "Unchained Melody," by The Righteous Brothers
21. "What a Wonderful World," by Louis Armstrong
22. "When You're Smiling," by Louis Armstrong
23. "You Are the Best Thing," by Ray LaMontagne
24. "You Send Me," by Sam Cooke
25. "You're All I Need to Get By," by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell

Contemporary First Dance Songs

26. "A Thousand Years," by Christina Perri
27. "All My Life," by K-Ci and JoJo
28. "All of Me," by John Legend
29. "Back at One," by Brian McKnight
30. "Because You Loved Me," by Céline Dion
31. "Better Together," by Jack Johnson
32. "By Your Side," by Sade 33. "Endless Love," by Lionel Richie and Diana Ross
34. "Everything," by Michael Bublé
35. "First Day of My Life," by Bright Eyes
36. "Halo," by Beyoncé
37. "Here and Now," by Luther Vandross
38. "How Long Will I Love You," by Ellie Goulding
39. "I Do (Cherish You)," by 98 Degrees
40. "I Love You Always Forever," by Donna Lewis
41. "I Won’t Give Up," by Jason Mraz
42. "I'll Make Love to You," by Boyz II Men
43. "In Your Eyes," by Peter Gabriel
44. "Lucky," by Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat
45. "Make You Feel My Love," by Adele
46. "Sway," by Michael Bublé
47. "The Power of Love," by Céline Dion
48. "Thinking Out Loud," by Ed Sheeran
49. "When a Man Loves a Woman," by Michael Bolton
50. "You and Me," by Lifehouse

Unique First Dance Songs

51. "Crash Into Me," by Dave Matthews Band
52. "Dog Days Are Over," by Florence + The Machine
53. "Dr. Feelgood," by Aretha Franklin
54. "Fade Into You," by Mazzy Star
55. "Faster," by Matt Nathanson
56. "Good Life," by One Republic
57. "Higher Love," by James Vincent McMorrow
58. "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)," by Sleeping at Last
59. "Magic," by Kira Grannis
60. "Sea of Love," by Cat Power

Country First Dance Songs

61. "Ain't Nothin' Bout You," by Brooks & Dunn
62. "Amazed," by Lonestar
63. "Cowboy Take Me Away," by The Dixie Chicks
64. "Deeper than the Holler," by Randy Travis
65. "Die a Happy Man," by Thomas Rhett
66. "Forever and Ever, Amen," by Randy Travis
67. "From this Moment On," by Shania Twain
68. "God Gave Me You," by Black Shelton
69. "Hey Pretty Girl," by Kip Moore
70. "I Cross My Heart," by George Strait
71. "I Need You," by Leann Rimes
72. "I Swear," by John Michael Montgomery
73. "I Walk the Line," by Johnny Cash
74. "I Want Crazy," by Hunter Hayes
75. "Lost in This Moment," by Big & Rich
76. "Love Your Love the Most," by Eric Church
77. "Me and You," by Kenny Chesney
78. "Must Be Doin' Something Right," by Billy Currington
79. "Shameless," by Garth Brooks
80. "This Kiss," by Faith Hill
81. "Wanted," by Hunter Hayes
82. "Your Man," by Josh Turner
83. “I Run to You,” by Lady Antebellum
84. “It’s Your Love,” by Tim McGraw and Faith Hill
85. “When I Say I Do,” by Clint Black and Lisa Hartman Black

For further inspiration, a few Vogue.com editors share the songs—including some unconventional choices—that they used, or would choose, for their first dance.

"Shade and Honey," by Sparklehorse

“Sparklehorse’s ‘Shade and Honey.’ In our early days as a couple, my husband and I bonded over our mutual affection for the Lisa Cholodenko film Laurel Canyon. This beautiful song has a starring role in the movie.”
— Nicole Phelps, Director, Vogue Runway

"Two of Us," by The Beatles

“One of my favorite childhood memories is listening to the Beatles with my dad on the way to school, so I’m a die-hard fan—I even took a Beatles history class in college. ‘Two of Us’ from Let It Be is one of my all-time favorites, and it’s exactly what I’d want to dance to at my future wedding. Not only are the lyrics really sweet, but the upbeat, slightly folksy rhythm would get everyone moving.”
— Emily Farra, Vogue.com Fashion News Associate

"Embraceable You," by Nat King Cole

“I imagine my first dance being incredibly meaningful to me and the groom. Nothing beats an old romantic classic. Nat King Cole’s ‘Embraceable You’ is the ideal first-dance song. My favorite line, ‘My heart grew tipsy in me,’ puts a smile on my face. It’s much how I imagine I will feel when dancing with my new husband on our wedding night: weak in the knees, heart tipsy, and absolutely head over heels in love.”
— Brooke Ely Danielson, Vogue.com Accessories Editor

"Stand by Me," by Ben E. King

“My husband and I danced to Ben E. King’s ‘Stand by Me.’ We picked it because we liked the message, but it’s also really easy to dance to, which is pretty crucial in my book.”
— Alexandra Macon, Vogue.com Managing Editor

"Green Eyes," by Hüsker Dü

“Hüsker Dü’s ‘Green Eyes’ is, in my mind, one of the most simply romantic songs ever, and would be perfect for a hypothetical first dance. Still, in the interest of something a bit more slow-danceable, I’d probably have to go with the Stones’s ‘You Got the Silver,’ penned by Keith Richards, reportedly about his stormy relationship with Anita Pallenberg.”
— Kristin Anderson, Vogue.com Fashion News Writer

"Two Become 1," by Spice Girls

“ ‘2 Become 1’ by the Spice Girls, because ‘tonight is the night where two become one.’ It wouldn’t be my wedding without a throwback Victoria Beckham music moment.”
— Edward Barsamian, Vogue.com Style Editor

"I Won't Share You," by The Smiths

“It may not be the most traditional choice for a first-dance song, but ‘I Won’t Share You’ by The Smiths encapsulates how I feel (or how I think I’ll feel, granted, as a currently unmarried and very single 23-year-old) about marriage. Like so many of Morrissey’s songs, it’s not jovially upbeat or entirely optimistic but hauntingly poignant—when can you be a bit selfish about romantic love with another if not in a marriage?”
— Olivia Goodman, Vogue.com Market Assistant