The first dance is the moment when all eyes are on you. The right song makes it magical. Here are the songs we play most often — and why they work.
Romantic classics: "Perfect" by Ed Sheeran has been the most popular first dance song for years. The tempo is slow enough to dance comfortably, the lyrics are beautiful and everyone recognises it. "At Last" by Etta James is timeless — ideal for couples who love jazz and soul. "A Thousand Years" by Christina Perri is the go-to for couples who like to keep their dance emotional. Tip: start at the chorus, as the intro is quite long. "Make You Feel My Love" exists in dozens of versions — Adele's is the most popular.
Modern favourites: "All of Me" by John Legend is romantic without being cheesy. Perfect length and instantly recognisable. "Shallow" by Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper has a lovely build: quiet beginning, powerful ending. Ideal for a surprise switch halfway through. "Lover" by Taylor Swift is modern, romantic and has just the right tempo. "Golden Hour" by JVKE is a hit with younger couples — dreamy and surprisingly good to dance to.
Dutch and Belgian gems: "Het is een nacht" by Guus Meeuwis works surprisingly well as a first dance — start slow, halfway through the tempo picks up and the entire room sings along. "Mag ik dan bij jou" by Claudia de Breij is intimate and personal. Less obvious, and that makes it extra special.
Surprising choices: "Can't Help Falling in Love" by Elvis Presley is timeless and elegant. "You Are the Best Thing" by Ray LaMontagne is uptempo soul — perfect if you want to properly dance rather than shuffle. "I'm Yours" by Jason Mraz is relaxed and cheerful, ideal if you want to keep things light-hearted.
Tips for choosing: pick a song that suits you as a couple, not what's trending. Keep it short — 2 to 3 minutes is enough. We can edit the song down if it's too long. Consider a surprise switch: start slow, then halfway through an uptempo hit kicks in. Guests jump onto the dance floor and the party begins. Read more about it in our article on the first dance.
Practise at home a few times. No choreography needed — just get a feel for how the song flows. At Last Night Group, we discuss the first dance in detail during the consultation. From song editing to spotlight: everything goes in the run sheet. Book your consultation and we'll help you plan it.