25 Alternative First Dance Songs That Sound Amazing Live
There's something special about hearing your first dance performed live. A live wedding band can shape the song around the moment and respond in real-time - slowing it down, building the emotion and creating something that's completely unique to your wedding.
At The Wonder Days, we've played first dances at weddings across Northern Ireland and beyond, and while timeless favourites will always have their place, we get especially excited when couples choose something a little more personal. Some of our favourite first dances haven't been the obvious wedding songs at all - they've been tracks that remind a couple of a road trip, their first date, a favourite gig or simply a song they've always loved together.
If you're looking for inspiration beyond the usual wedding playlists, here are some of our favourite first dance songs that sound incredible performed live.
Funk & Soul Classics
These songs have timeless grooves, beautiful melodies and always sound fantastic with a live band.
Signed, Sealed, Delivered - Stevie Wonder
Day Dreaming - Aretha Franklin
You Send Me - Sam Cooke
Just the Two of Us - Grover Washington Jr.
Best Part - H.E.R. & Daniel Caesar
Northern Irish & Irish Artists
If you'd like a nod to home, these artists create beautifully personal first dances and are favourites of ours to perform.
Crazy Love - Van Morrison
Dreams - The Cranberries
Everything I Am Is Yours - Villagers
Favourite - Fontaines D.C.
Shed a Little Light - Foy Vance
Into the Mystic - Van Morrison
Indie Love Songs
Perfect for couples who bonded over playlists, festivals and gigs.
First Day of My Life - Bright Eyes
Skinny Love - Bon Iver
Such Great Heights - Iron & Wine
Baby I'm Yours - Arctic Monkeys
Elliot Smith - Say Yes
Retro Favourites
These songs have become wedding favourites for good reason and translate beautifully to live music.
This Must Be the Place - Talking Heads
God Only Knows - The Beach Boys
Landslide - Fleetwood Mac
Everywhere - Fleetwood Mac
Friday I'm in Love - The Cure
Must Be Love - Madness
Upbeat First Dances
If swaying on the dancefloor isn’t your thing and you'd rather get everyone onto the dance floor as soon as possible, these are brilliant choices.
You Make My Dreams - Hall & Oates
Show Me Love - Robin S
Crazy Little Thing Called Love - Queen
Never Gonna Give You Up - Rick Astley
Higher & Higher - Jackie Wilson
Don't Worry About Picking the "Perfect" Song
One piece of advice we always give couples is to choose the song that means something to you.
It doesn't have to be the latest wedding trend or a song that's on every "Top 100 First Dance Songs" list. Some of our favourite moments have been performing songs we'd never played at a wedding before because they had a story behind them.
The best first dances are personal. If there's a song that's become your song as a couple, we'll happily work with you to make it sound amazing live.
