First Dance Songs That Work: Real Couple Choices
After surveying wedding forums and Irish wedding blogs, we've identified the songs couples actually choose versus what they think they should choose. The results might surprise you.
The Current Top 10 (2024-2025)
- Perfect - Ed Sheeran (Still reigning champion)
- Thinking Out Loud - Ed Sheeran (The safe choice)
- Make You Feel My Love - Adele version (Emotional favourite)
- All of Me - John Legend (Modern classic)
- Amazed - Lonestar (Country crossover hit)
- At Last - Etta James (Timeless elegance)
- The One - Kodaline (Irish pride choice)
- Songbird - Eva Cassidy (Understated beauty)
- Your Song - Elton John (Cross-generational appeal)
- Ho Hey - The Lumineers (Quirky modern choice)
Irish Artists Making Waves
Couples increasingly choose Irish artists for cultural connection: - Picture This - "Take My Hand" - Gavin James - "Always" - The Coronas - "Someone Else's Hands" - The Script - "The Man Who Can't Be Moved" - Damien Rice - "The Blower's Daughter"
The Tempo Dilemma
Forum consensus: Slow songs are romantic but can feel endless when dancing. Many couples now choose mid-tempo songs. One bride noted: "We loved 'Make You Feel My Love' but it's 5 minutes long! We went with 'Ho Hey' - upbeat, short, and still meaningful."
Classic Choices That Never Fail
- Van Morrison - "Crazy Love" (Irish legend status)
- The Beatles - "Something"
- Elvis - "Can't Help Falling in Love"
- Frank Sinatra - "The Way You Look Tonight"
- Nat King Cole - "L-O-V-E"
Modern Alternatives Gaining Popularity
Younger couples are choosing: - Dermot Kennedy - "Outnumbered" - Hozier - "Movement" - Lewis Capaldi - "Someone You Loved" - James Bay - "Let It Go" - George Ezra - "Paradise"
The Surprising Comebacks
Forum discussions show these "forgotten" songs returning: - "Come Away With Me" - Norah Jones - "She's Always a Woman" - Billy Joel - "Into the Mystic" - Van Morrison - "Harvest Moon" - Neil Young - "The Luckiest" - Ben Folds
Songs to Avoid (Forum Warnings)
Couples advise against: - Anything mentioning breakups or sadness - Songs with awkward lyrics when really listened to - Current pop hits that will date quickly - Songs over 5 minutes (unless edited) - Your ex's favourite song (seriously, this comes up!)
The Band Version Question
If your band is playing your first dance, discuss: - Can they match the original's tempo? - Will they sing it in the original key? - Can they provide a recorded version if needed?
Real Couple Advice
"Choose a song that means something to both of you, not what you think others expect. We danced to 'Sweet Disposition' by The Temper Trap because it played during our first kiss. Nobody else got it, but we'll never forget that moment." - James and Sarah, 2024