The first dance is performed by the bride and groom and is traditionally the signal that the evening entertainment has started. The first dance is often followed by dances for the bride and her father, the groom and his mother and the chief bridesmaid and the best man, so you will need to choose wedding songs that are appropriate for each.

Songs for the first dance are usually slow and romantic love songs with couples often choosing a song that has some particular significance to them. Following this the songs may become a little more upbeat, reflecting the joyous nature of the occasion. After the first dance the wedding guests are welcomed on to the dance floor and the bride and groom will then join their parents to continue dancing.

If the thought of the first dance worries you at all, perhaps because you know you have two left feet or because you think your dancing skills may not be up to it, then it can be worth investing in some dancing lessons. You don’t need to embark on a course to put to a level Fred and Ginger would be proud of, one or two lessons is often enough to sharpen your skills and to make your first dance look polished.

Here are a few suggestions for wedding songs for the first dance:

‘A Groovy Kind of Love’ Phil Collins

‘All the Way’ Frank Sinatra

‘Could it Be Magic’ Barry Manilow

‘Come Fly With Me’ Frank Sinatra

‘Devoted to You’ The Everly Brothers

‘Endless Love’ Diana Ross and Lionel Ritchie

‘I Can’t Give You Anything But Love’ Louis Armstrong

‘I Got You Babe’ Sonny and Cher

‘I Only Have Eyes for You’ Art Garfunkel

‘It Had to Be You’ Harry Connick Jr

‘Love Me Tender’ Elvis Presley

‘My Baby Just Cares For Me’ Nina Simone

‘My Eyes Adored You’ Frankie Valli

‘My Girl’ The Temptations

‘My Heart Will Go On’ Celine Dione (from Titanic)

‘Someone to Watch Over Me’ Barbara Streisand

‘The Best is Yet To Come’ Frank Sinatra

‘When I Fall in Love’ Nat King Cole

When you have chosen your wedding songs make sure you have a suitable recording of it to give to your DJ. Don’t choose remixes or cover versions unless you feel they are a better choice than the original. Your first dance song doesn’t have to be a well known track but more of a personal choice between the two of you. Make sure your DJ is primed and ready to hit play as soon as you are ready and knows what tracks to follow it up with afterwards.