How to Choose a First Dance Song
By Ryley Smithson, Tennyson Events · Updated October 2026
The best first dance songs are the ones you both know, whether that is a classic like "Stand by Me" by Ben E. King (chosen by 6 of our couples) or something different. Of the 183 weddings in our run sheets, 125 named a first dance song and chose 120 different ones. Twelve skipped the first dance altogether.
So there is no correct answer. This guide helps you find yours. For ready-made lists, see our first dance songs. Or listen to every first dance song we've played: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3zF3V0Yp38wkRCoRwv2bxl
Five steps to a first dance song
Start with a song that is already yours. Think of the song from your first date, a road trip, or a night out.
Check the lyrics. Read every line. A song can sound like a love song and not be one.
Check the length. Two to three minutes is plenty on a dance floor. A long song can be edited down.
Check the tempo. If you won't be learning steps, a slow or mid-tempo song is easiest to sway to.
Play it at home. Stand in the lounge room and dance to it once. You will know quickly.
When in doubt, I always steer couples towards a classic. Just because I play one doesn't mean I can't play two. I can play the first half of one song and the second half of another, or mix between two and mash them up. That's why having a DJ who knows how to mix music really matters. I can even produce a track for you to do a choreographed dance to. It's something we do all the time.
Different and unexpected first dance songs
You do not have to pick a ballad. Our couples chose songs like "Float On" by Modest Mouse, "Texas Sun" by Leon Bridges & Khruangbin, "Sweet Disposition" by The Temper Trap and "Planetarium" by Justin Hurwitz. Each was chosen by 1 couple.
Some went a step further. One couple had a custom first dance file made. Another used a custom edit of "Charlie" by Mallrat.
Digital vinyl means we can play exactly the songs you want.
We spend 1–2 hours before the wedding building playlists and custom edits, so every must-play is downloaded.
I love a good choreographed dance, and I love it when a couple are properly into it. People miss the fact that you're holding the attention of a hundred people for about three minutes. Combined, that is 5 hours of human time, so it had better be worthwhile. Practise a few twirls and dips. Learn something off YouTube. Even a little bit goes a long way.
When it happens in the night
The first dance usually happens after the main course. Occasionally it happens on entry, if people want to get it out of the way. Both are fine. Tell us which you prefer and we will build the timeline around it. We also keep it short on the night: the fewer things you need to be on time for, the easier it is to stay on schedule. See our wedding reception timeline for where it fits.
Versions, covers and edits
The same song can feel very different in another version. Our couples chose acoustic versions of "Latch", "First Date" and "Ain't Nobody", two couples each. Another chose a Spanish version of "Feeling Good" by Michael Bublé.
Tell us the exact version. We play it as it is, or as a custom edit.
Preview the edit with your partner before the day, so there are no surprises about where it starts and stops.
Tell us if you want to walk on to the song, or have the lights up first.
If you don't want a first dance
12 of our couples listed "no first dance" on their run sheets. It is a normal choice. A few options:
Skip it and go straight to the dance floor opening.
If you don't want to be the centre of attention, we can invite everyone up onto the dance floor and then hit the song.
Invite everyone up from the first note, so nobody is watching you alone.
Choose a short song, instead of a full one.
Parent dances
42 of our couples named a father-daughter song. See our father-daughter dance songs for the list. Only 1 couple named a mother-son song, so that is the rarer choice, and the same article covers it.
I always like to put family dances before the first dance. That way, once your first dance is done, we can invite everyone straight up and the dance floor opens. If your parents are shy, you can always do their dance a few songs into the open floor instead. You also don't have to dance the whole time. Whenever you're ready, wave your partner in and do a little handshake with your dad or your mum, then carry on with your first dance.
Decide early who is dancing with whom, so the DJ can announce it properly. We MC the dinner, so we announce names and build excitement for each moment.
Quick answers
How do I choose a first dance song?
Pick a song you both know, check the lyrics and the length, and try it at home. Then ask us for an edit.
What are the best first dance songs?
"Stand by Me" (6 couples), "Say You Won't Let Go" (3) and "La Vie en Rose" (3) lead our list. Browse the full list.
What are good different first dance songs?
Songs like "Float On" and "Texas Sun" were each chosen by 1 couple. Acoustic versions of "Latch" and "Ain't Nobody" were chosen by 2 couples each.
Do we have to have a first dance?
No. 12 of our couples didn't.
Are there mother-son dance songs?
Only 1 couple named a mother-son song on their run sheet. It was "Days Like This" by Van Morrison.
How long should a first dance be?
Two to three minutes. We can edit any song to suit.
Next steps
Not sure what to play before it? See reception entrance songs and how to build energy at your entrance. The full set is in our wedding songs in Adelaide hub. Want one DJ for ceremony and reception? See wedding DJ hire.