Everyone knows that the dance is what makes the wedding. And while there are a lot of things you can do to make your wedding dance more fun, from hiring the right DJ to picking the right reception venue, one of the best things to do is to play songs that come with popular dances.
But, what dances should you actually include?
Check out this guide to learn about the most popular wedding dances.
First Dance
The first dance is so important to some couples that many even take dancing lessons in the months leading up to the big day.
Whether you choose to take lessons or not, the important thing is to choose a song that means a lot to both you and your fiancee. Here are some of the most popular first dance songs to consider:
- At Last by Etta James
- Can’t Help Falling in Love With You by Elvis Presley
- Everything by Michael Bublé
- Marry Me by Train
- First Day of My Life by Bright Eyes
- Your Song by Elton John
- Stand By Me by Ben E King
- The Way You Look Tonight by Frank Sinatra
- All of Me by John Legend
- Wonderful Tonight by Eric Clapton
- Amazed by Lonestar
- Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sheeran
A popular thing to do now is to start with a slower song then change midway through to a more upbeat song. If you’re really ready to bust out your dance moves, consider trying this out.
Father-Daughter/Mother-Son Dance
The father-daughter and mother-son dances are usually real tearjerkers. Some couples choose to do these dances together, while some do them one after the other.
Here are some popular father-daughter songs to consider:
- Butterfly Kisses by Bob Carlisle
- Father and Daughter by Paul Simon
- Unforgettable by Natalie and Nat King Cole
- Times of Your Life by Paul Anka
- I Loved Her First by Heartland
- Sweet Pea by Amos Lee
- Cinderella by Steven Curtis Chapman
- Dance With My Father by Luther Vandross
- Have I Told You Lately by Rod Stewart
- Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
And, here are some songs to consider for the mother-son dance:
- Because You Loved Me by Celine Dion
- Child of Mine by Carole King
- I’ll Always Love My Mama by The Intruders
- You Raise Me Up by Josh Groban
- I Say a Little Prayer by Aretha Franklin
- Mama Said by Lukas Graham
- Forever Young by Rod Stewart
- Oh Mother of Mine by The Temptations
- Mother and Child Reunion by Paul Simon
- Wind Beneath My Wings by Bette Midler
In addition to doing a father-daughter dance and a mother-son dance, you may also want to consider doing a grandfather-granddaughter dance and a grandmother-grandson dance. If you have stepparents, you may also want to consider working them into the equation.
Anniversary Dance
If there are a lot of married couples in the audience, this song can be a lot of fun. While there are a lot of ways to do this dance, one of the most popular ones involves starting out the dance with all the married couples on the dance floor.
Then, as the song progresses, the DJ will ask anyone who has been married under a certain amount of time (say, 5 years) to leave the dance floor. The dance keeps going until there is just one couple left.
Here are some songs to consider for the anniversary dance:
- Still Crazy After All These Years by Paul Simon
- You’re Still the One by Shania Twain
- I Got You Babe by Sonny and Cher
- As Time Goes By by Billy Holliday
- It Had to Be You by Frank Sinatra
- This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) by Natalie Cole
- Dancing in the Moonlight by King Harvest
- Wonderful Tonight by Eric Clapton
If you want to add a little fun to this dance, you can even have a prize for the winning couple.
The Dollar Dance
This tradition actually originated in Europe. But, it quickly made its way to the US and now you’ll see it all the time at weddings. (Valium) The concept is simple: anyone who wants to dance with the bride has to give her a dollar!
Here are some popular dollar dance songs:
- Material Girl by Madonna
- Lost in This Moment by Big and Rich
- I Do It for the Money by Charlie Major
- Can You Feel the Love Tonight by Elton John
- You’ve Got a Friend by James Taylor
- Take the Money and Run by the Steve Miller Band
- Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison
Some people don’t like the idea of asking their guests to spend more money on their wedding. If you fall into this boat, then consider turning the dollar dance into a charity event. Guests can make an optional donation to dance with the bride and the money will be donated to the charity of your choice.
Line Dances
When you’re really ready to start the party on the dance floor, we suggest turning on a line dance. These are dances that lots of people will know the choreographed moves to. Even if they don’t know, most have moves that are easy to catch onto.
Here are some of the best line dance songs for weddings:
- We are Family by Sister Sledge
- Electric Slide by Marcia Griffiths
- Boot Scootin’ Boogie by Brooks and Dunn
- Cupid Shuffle by Cupid
- Cha Cha Slide by DJ Casper
- Cotton Eye Joe by Rednex
To kick the line dances up a notch, you may want to consider an LED dance floor rental.
Popular Dances: Are You Ready to Boogie?
Now that you know about the most popular dances for weddings, it’s time to boogie on down! Before you know it, you’ll be jiving on your wedding day to your favorite songs.
Also, if you liked this post, be sure to check out the rest of our blog for more wedding-related tips and tricks.
