The First Dance

“We dance for laughter, we dance for tears, we dance for madness, we dance for fears, we dance for screams, we are the dancers, we create the dreams.”

Angela Monet

Ah yes the all important first dance. For some, it’s their time to finally shine and for others, they’d rather die than have to go through with it. Either way, it’s a poignant part of the big day and it’s only for a couple of seconds in your life. Some might invest in dance classes and others (like myself) just wing it.

Photo Credit: The Fennells

When we were getting married, we had a 90’s band booked. Pump Up The Jam were just brilliant and despite the gasps of horror from people when we told them we were having a 90’s band, there wasn’t one person not on that dance floor giving it socks to the Spice Girls megamix and Insomnia. Eoin was adamant that the we had the band perform the first dance as in a lot of cases, first dances are played from CD either through the bands system or hotel PA. We were given the play list that the band had and we picked CeCe Penniston ‘Finally’, purely as it was a bit of fun and knew that it would get people up on their feet. It went down a storm. At the time we were getting married, there was a lot having Christina Perry ‘Thousand Years’ as their first dance.

Here Are Some Tips When Choosing Your First Dance Song:

• The first dance is all about you as a couple. There may be a song that is so special to you, don’t be afraid to use that. It’s your moment.
• If you don’t have that special song, your next port of call is finding something that you feel will either be reflective of you as a couple.
• You have a choice, you can pick any song you want and that will be played over the PA system, however, if you want it performed, you will have to check what is within the bands capacity.
• Remember, you have to be able to move to the song you pick. Do you want an up tempo or slow. Are you ok dancing or will you need a little help with a lesson or two.
• Don’t feel restricted to go with what the popular choice is.
• Practice if you can. If you feel awkward about it, a few wine and away you go. Have fun with it.
• If you are absolutely dying at the thought of having the first dance, you can break it all up easily. Do a minute just yourselves and then get the rest of the bridal party and guests pulled in straight away and then that takes the focus off you guys.
• Don’t overthink it!

I popped up a poll to see what you guys have or are planning on doing. Here is a list for inspiration:

Highest Votes in Order of Popularity:

1. The One – Kodaline
2. Thinking Out Loud – Ed Sheeran
3. Can’t Take My Eyes Off You – Andy Williams / Frankie Valli / Frank Sinatra
4. You Make My Dreams Come True – Hall & Oates
5. Love in Slow Motion – Ed Sheeran

The Following Had 1-3 votes – in no particular order.

Make You Feel My Love – Adele / Bob Dylan

Please Keep Loving Me – James Tw

Change The World – Eric Clapton

Slow Show – The National

If I Should Fall Behind – Bruce Springsteen

Hey Ho – The Lumineers

Thousand Years – Christina Perry

Came Here For Love – Sigala

Power of Love – Hughie Lewis

Pencil Full of Lead – Paulo Nutini

Everylong – Foo Fighters

I’m Ready – Bryan Adams

Marry You – Bruno Mars

Dancing In The Moonlight – Toploader

More Than A Woman – BeeGees

Call It Magic – Coldplay

I Would Walk 500 Miles (Slow Version)

Dancing In The Moonlight – Thin Lizzy

Never Tear Us Apart – INXS

Just Can’t Get Enough – Depeche Mode

Dreams – The Cranberries

Flame – Bell X1

You & Me – The Wannadies

Lost Together – Blue Rodeo

Simply The Best – (Schitt’s Creek version)

You Are The Reason – Callum Scott / Leona Lewis

Let’s Stay Together – Al Green

First Dance – Casey Breves

Better – The Academic

You Are The Best Thing – Ray Lamontagne

Beeswings – Whistlin’ Donkey’s

We’ve Got A World Of Our Own – Westlife

Chasing Cars – Snow Patrol

How Long Will I Love You – Ellie Goulding

How Long Will I Love You – The Waterboys

Songbird – Eva Cassidy / Oasis

You’re My Best Friend – Queen

Everlasting Love – Love Affair

Black & White – Niall Horan

More of You – Chris Stapleton

Just The Two Of Us – Bill Withers

Everywhere – Fleetwood /mac

I Love You, Always Forever – Donna Lewis