Top 10 First Dance Songs for Your Wedding Reception

Your first dance as man and wife should be very special and romantic, so make sure that you choose a song that not only expresses how you feel but that also makes you comfortable out on the dance floor. I have chosen my top 10 Favorite First Dance songs to use at your wedding reception. If you don't find what you are looking for here, be sure to check out my list of Contemporary songs for your Ceremony, as any of those would work as well!!

"Yes, when a man loves a woman

I know exactly how he feels,

'Cause baby, baby, baby

I am a man.

When a Man loves a woman"

This song is just a classic. You have several recordings to choose from, ranging from Percy Sledge's original to Michael Bolton. It's a very nice song to dance to, and is one that everyone at your wedding will recognize and enjoy.

Etta James's "At Last" is a great song to dance to. It's so romantic and lends itself well to a ballroom style dance. The words are wonderful as well.

"My heart was wrapped up in clovers

The night I looked at you

I found a dream that I could speak to

A dream that I can call my own."

This is another song that everyone at your reception, no matter their age, will enjoy and love. If you are having a Jazz band at your reception, this is the perfect choice. Chances are, this is already in their repertoire!

Even if a bit on the old fashioned side, the Gershwin's really knew how to write a love song! Back in 1938, they introduced this song and it was made popular later by such greats as Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra. The words are simple, "It's very clear, our love is here to stay/ Not for a year, but ever and a day." Also, the beat is not super slow, and it's not super fast. It is a comfortable pace to twirl and whirl around the dance floor. A Jazz Band would probably also have this song in their regular repertoire. Or, if you are using a DJ, there are tons of different recordings to choose from, so listen to them all and pick the one that you love best!

Okay, so this is from a Disney movie, but doesn't it say everything you'd want to say at your reception? Elton John made this song popular in the 90's and it appeared on the soundtrack to The Lion King. "Can you feel the Love tonight? It is where we are / It's enough for this wide-eyed wanderer, that we got this far / And can you feel the love tonight." I'm sure that everyone in the room will be able to feel the love that you share with your new spouse!!!

If you are looking for a more upbeat pop song to dance to, and you are not really a couple that is into sappy and sweet slow songs, think about this song by Alicia Keys. It will have everyone moving their feet and wanting to dance with you.

"I just want you close

Where you can stay forever.

You could be sure

That it will only get better."

This song was made popular in 1967 by Frankie Valli, and has since been covered by more than 20 others like Frank Sinatra, Lauryn Hill (amazing, btw, you have to hear it!), and even Cake. If you love this song, you should definitely take some time to listen to all of the different recording of it to figure out which one suits you as a couple. You can find recordings that are super slow and romantic and others that are faster.

The words couldn't be better, since you surely will not be able to take your eyes off each other all night!!

This is a really recent song by Colby Callait, but it is super cute and fun. If you are looking for something new and upbeat that will set a fun tone for the rest of the evening, this is a really good choice. "It starts in my toes, makes me crinkle my nose, where ever it goes, I always know that you make me smile, please stay for a while now."

This song was first made known by Bryan Adams, but my favorite version is Kylie Minogue's. There is also a recording by DJ Sammy that uses Kylie's version and turned it into a techno version. If you really want to speed it up, you could use the techno version, but personally, I recommend the slow Kylie version. It is so beautiful! There is a really nice piano accompaniment in it, and it makes you want to grab your loved one and hold them close.

"Baby you're all that I want

When you're lyin' here in my arms

I'm findin' it hard to believe,

We're in heaven."

Have I put too many Frank Sinatry style songs on this list? Oh well, I can't help it! They make great first dance choices!! Of course, this is also a song that has been recording like crazy, so listen to the Tony Bennett, Michael Buble and Rod Stewart versions as well.

The lyrics are so romantic, and speak so well to the moment. You will both look back on this moment and think about how you looked and how you felt on your wedding day. That is something you will never forget and you will always cherish, and this song expresses that so well.

"Lovely... Never, ever change.

Keep that Breathless charm.

Won't you please arrange it?

'Cause I love you... Just the way you look tonight."

I couldn't end this list without mentioning this song! Alison Kraus has one of the most Angelic voices I have ever heard, and this song just makes me want to cry. I love how it begins with just her voice and a guitar, and then grows from there.

"The smile on your face lets me know that you need me

There's a truth in your eyes saying you'll never leave me

A touch of your hand says you'll catch me if ever I fall,

You say it best, when you say nothing at all."

To me, it makes for the perfect moment. There are no words to describe how you feel in that moment when you take the dance floor as man and wife, but like it says in this song, just looking into each other's eyes says it all.