Lavender on the Lake is here to help!
Many current couples are choosing alternatives to numerous decade long, wedding traditions such as opting out of tiered cakes in lieu for doughnut walls, or choosing to have champagne walls rather than poured glasses of champagne at the tables. However, there is one of the biggest traditions that has withheld the test of time, and that is the first dance. Over the years, wedding trends come and go, but this is one that seems to be here to stay. According to a recent survey of 9,318 couples during 2023 by The Knot, 26% of couples not only hung on to the first dance tradition, but they also took one final dance after all of the guests had left.
So what do you think? Will you incorporate a first dance at your wedding? And if so, choosing a song that seems to fit the vibe of your wedding, has the right pace and lyrics, appeals to the range of guests from your childhood friends to your grandparents AND has meaning for you as a couple can be very daunting. No matter what, I believe that the most important thing in choosing your song is that you take some time together to decide what you would like to dance to. Here are some suggestions and ideas on how to make a list and ultimately choose your first dance song.
Think back to momentous moments in your relationship
Look back to your first date or a time during the beginning of the relationship. Was there a song that you can recall? Maybe you went to a concert that was unforgettable and there was a song that brings that moment right back to you. When Jason and I had gone on a few dates, the first song that I heard and thought of him was “Speak Too Soon” by Wild Rivers. I did not send it to him for a long, long time because-well, let’s face it it would have scared him and caused him to run, or it would have scared me and caused ME to run because I was so fearful of allowing love in again. Those early moments may hold the key to finding your first-dance song.
Ask a family member or friend
Sometimes it’s our family and friends that know us better than ourselves. Ask them for a song suggestion that makes them think of you or your partner. “Lean on Me” or “I’ll be There” might get thrown out to you. Take a little dance in your family room and see if it could work. I had a friend once tell me that “Wildflowers” by Tom Petty makes her think of me which was about one of the sweetest things I have ever heard. At the very least, this may bring some new discoveries and laughs when you hear what songs may be selected for you by your loved ones.
Think about the feeling that you get at your venue
When you walked into your venue, was there an overall feeling that you got? If you have chosen Lavender on the Lake, you know that we are a luxury barn and so perhaps you may choose something like Alison Krauss and Union Stations, “When You Say Nothing At All,” or “Big, Big Plans,” by Chris Lane. Or maybe you want to stick with a classic like “At Last” by Etta James, or “I Found You” by Alabama Shakes.
Take a listen to your saved music on shuffle
Have a night where you light some candles and have some wine with meats and cheeses- this is my favorite date night in!- and queue up your saved songs on shuffle. You may find that an old one comes on that can completely be in the running for your song; if it isn’t fitting the bill, just skip it! Or choose a love song and play a radio station for that song to discover others. I recently had old songs shuffling and rediscovered Vance Joy’s “Fire and the Flood.” Now, I may not choose that if I were trying to select a first dance song, but hearing it while I was cooking in the kitchen made me smile and think back to the early days of dating Jason.
Be inspired by your favorite celebrity couple’s first dance song choice
Did you know that Beyoncé and Jay-Z and did a collaborative rendition of her song “Crazy in Love” for their first dance? Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman danced to Etta James’s classic “At Last”. More recently Olympian Simone Biles and NFL player Tay Dome danced to “Lifetime” by Justin Bieber. Who is your favorite celebrity couple? Check their song out and add it to your list!
Can’t decide on one song?
Consider creating your own mash-up of songs by combining an old love song that transitions into a softer more modern song and ends up with an upbeat fun, danceable song that encourages others to join you on the dance floor.
Truly cannot figure out what song to dance to?
Google top first-dance wedding songs and you will find too many to count! Perhaps, make a playlist of them and let them play throughout your evening to see if something sticks. There are SO many first-dance suggestions online of all genres and time periods right at your fingertips.
Remember to have fun and don’t stress too much about selecting THE perfect song, and most importantly, enjoy the dance while you decide.
Thanks for popping by my blog! I am dedicated to using this platform to support locally owned wedding venues. In every blog, I include 5 locally owned wedding venues who use their articles to support their colleagues and the wedding industry in ways that are not always recognized but are essential. If you are searching for a wedding venue, please consider a locally owned venue; you can find them featured here on this wedding venue map.
XO
Shelley
