Real Couples' First Dance Songs

Nicole & Evan: "Love Song" by 311

"Evan and I couldn't agree on a first dance song; the day of the wedding, my bridesmaids encouraged me to go with the one he liked better," said Nicole. "Right after we were introduced as a married couple, we walked out on the dance floor and he asked, 'What song are we dancing to?' When his choice, 'Love Song' by 311 came on, he was so excited!"

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Photo Credit: Sofia Negron Photography

Jessica & Amir: "I Just Wanna Be with You" by Chris Rea

Choosing a song for their first dance was easy. Early in their relationship, this song had come on the car radio while they were driving on a rainy night. Amir spontaneously pulled over and asked Jessica to dance. "It was one of the most romantic moments of my life," she recalled.

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Photo Credit: Nick Brown Photography

Kayo & Mark: "True Companion" by Marc Cohn

 "We always knew that would be our song," says Kayo. "No dance classes — we just winged it!" Guests stayed on the dance floor for the rest of the night, dancing to a variety of favorite tunes.

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Photo Credit: Robert Holley Photography

Emily & Scott: "You and Me" by Dave Matthews Band

Emily and Scott first met on an airplane, making this tune that Dave Matthews wrote while traveling — "When the kids are old enough, we're gonna teach them to fly. You and me together, we could do anything, baby" — a perfect fit. 

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Photo Credit: Lars Wanberg/Withers Wanberg Pictures
Wedding Planner: Joyce Scardina Becker/Events of Distinction

Amy & Ben: "You're the Nearest Thing to Heaven" by Johnny Cash

After the first dance, everyone took to the dance floor as the reception band, Pure Ecstasy, played a mix of R&B, Motown, Jazz and Soul. "At the reception, I think I danced the entire time the band played. At one point, Ben even got on stage and sang 'You Shook Me All Night' with them!" said Amy.

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Photo Credit: Lisa Lefkowitz

Quinn & Max: "At Last" by Etta James

Toward the end of the meal, Max and Quinn quietly stole away from their table, only to reappear marching with sparklers to the tune of a seven-piece brass band playing “When the Saints Go Marching In.” The band then eased into “At Last” for the couple’s first dance.

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Photo Credit: Susan Dean Photography

Kristen & Brad: "That's How Strong Our Love Is" by Otis Redding

This classic tune kicked off the reception, and everyone continued dancing until the wee hours.

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Photo Credit: Photography by Leah

Susan & Robin: "Crazy Love" by Van Morrison

After the couple's first dance, The Park Avenue Band had guests on their feet, dancing to hits from the '70s and '80s, such as "Dancing Queen." "The floor was packed," said Susan. "Even with people who don't normally like to dance!"

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Photo Credit: Gruber Photographers

Nicole & Robert: "All I Want is You" by Barry Louis Polisar

"We picked that song because it describes us as a couple," said Nicole. 

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Photo Credit: Donnell Probst Photography

Karen & Michel: A Swing Tribute

The bride and groom kicked off the dancing with a choreographed swing routine. "People were especially blown away by our first dance, especially because Michel had never danced before in his life. He did great; he even learned my favorite move— 'the death drop!'"

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Photography: SJ Images/Serenandjason.com

Holly & Tony: "Steady as We Go" by Dave Matthews Band

Right off the bat, Holly and Tony knew what band they wanted to entertain their wedding guests —The Doug Segree Band, a local favorite in Delaware. "We even picked our date based on the band's availability," laughed Holly. For the first dance, the band covered this DMB classic.

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Photography: Sofia Negron Photography

Carrie & Neil: "Feels Like Home" by Chantal Kreviazuk

Simply put, “It is our song,” said Carrie.

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Photo Credit: Lisa Lefkowitz Photography

Jennifer & Peter: "A Whole New World" from Disney's Aladdin and "Set Adrift a Memory Bliss" by P.M Dawn

Jennifer and Peter's first dance was a mix of two different songs — the pair started out dancing to "A Whole New World" from Disney's Aladdin, then transitioned to "Set Adrift a Memory Bliss" by P.M Dawn.

"Although it seems like a random combination, it was the perfect mix of 'us,'" said Jenn. "Our wedding was held at Disneyland, so we wanted to use a song to represent the Disney aspect of the big day. Aladdin was the first movie we watched together as a couple, so the song always held a special place in our hearts. The P.M Dawn song was significant to us because it was the ringtone that we gave each other when we started dating (and currently still is our ringtone for each other five years later!) and it grew to become 'our song' that we've used ever since. The fusing of our 'Disney song' with 'our song' truly made for a memorable musical backdrop for our first dance!"

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Photo Credit: Ari Simphoukham Photography

Jaime & Henrik: "Last Night on Earth" by Green Day

"We chose it because the night we got engaged, we saw the Green Day musical, American Idiot," said Jaime. "We both loved this particular song, and it's rare that we agree on music."

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Photo Credit: Casey Fatchett Photography

Liz & Sarah: "Green Eyes" by Coldplay

"We just love it!" said Liz.

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Photo Credit: Harper Point Photography

Sarah & Chris: "Open My Eyes" by Buckcherry

“Our first dance together was beneath a beautiful moon on that warm summer night," said Sarah. "We hadn’t taken dance lessons — we just enjoyed the moment instead of worrying about the steps. I couldn’t have asked for anything better.”

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Photo Credit: Paul Sanders Photography

Kimberly & Ray: "Your Song" by Ellie Goulding

Kimberly's brother-in-law suggested the song after he "cried like a baby" upon hearing it. "And then so did we!" said Kimberly. 

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Photo Credit: Timecut Photography

Nancy & Dylan: "Banana Pancakes" by Jack Johnson

 "We both know all the words, and it's uplifting and whimsical," said Nancy. "We didn't want any sappy music for ceremony or dances because I knew I'd be emotional enough as it was!"

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Photo Credit: Sugar & Soul Photography

Kristen & David: "Nothing Else Matters" by Metallica

"I've always thought it was a beautiful song and, of course, it fit our non-traditional wedding perfectly," said Kristen. 

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Photo Credit: April Smith & Co. Photography

Dana & Whitaker: "Almost Like Being in Love" by Nat King Cole

Dana and Whitaker took dance lessons for almost three months to prepare for their first dance — they impressed guests with a fun swing dance.

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Photo Credit: Abby Rose Photo