Call me a hopeless romantic, but I bloody love a first dance. Maybe it’s the music geek in me, but I just love the idea of getting to share the music you love with everyone. If you don’t already have a special song chosen then it’s the perfect excuse to look for ideas, immerse yourself in lots of lovely music and find a new song that will mean the world to you both for years to come. These are some of my very favourite love songs which could be perfect for a first dance (or any point during your wedding really!) whether you want to jump around together or do the old cling-and-sway…. from Indie to a bit of Northern Soul, absolute classics to lesser-known tracks. Oh, and the theme tune to Father Ted.

I’ve created a Spotify plylist including all these songs too – you’re welcome! I’d love to know your first dance choices in the comments.

You You You You You – The 6ths
“Who has made my dreams come true and turned my grey skies blue?

Simple Song – The Shins
“Love’s such a delicate thing that we do,
With nothing to prove, Which I never knew”

Archie, Marry Me – Alvvays
“So, honey, take me by the hand and we can sign some papers
Forget the invitations, floral arrangements and bread makers”

Everywhere – Fleetwood Mac
“Oh I, I want to be with you everywhere”

The Book of Love – The Magnetic Fields
“But I, I love it when you read to me,
And you can read me anything”

The Lovecats – The Cure
“We’re so wonderfully wonderfully wonderfully Wonderfully pretty!
Oh you know that I’d do anything for you “

In My Life – The Beatles
“But of all these friends and lovers, there is no one compares with you
And these memories lose their meaning when I think of love as something new”

Stay Young, Go Dancing – Deathcab for Cutie
“Through Autumn’s advancing, we’ll stay young, go dancing”

You’re My Best Friend – Queen
“You’re my sunshine and I want you to know that my feelings are true… I really love you”

You Are The Light (By Which I Travel Into This And That) – Jens Lekman
“Why would anyone need a map or a compass? It’s so beautiful to be guided by you”

Songs of Love – The Divine Comedy
“So sing while you have time, let the song shine down from above… And fill you with songs of love”

There Is A Light That Never Goes Out – The Smiths
“And if a double-decker bus crashes into us…To die by your side is such a heavenly way to die”

You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman – Aretha Franklin
“Before the day I met you, life was so unkind and you’re the key to my peace of mind”

Fire In My Heart – Super Furry Animals
“You’ve got needles and pins and the seven deadly sins, Still I’ve got a fire in my heart for you”

First Day of My Life – Bright Eyes
“Yours was the first face that I saw
I think I was blind before I met you”

Baby I’m Yours – The Arctic Monkeys
“Yours until the poets run out of rhyme…In other words, until the end of time”

Do I Love You (Indeed I Do) – Frank Wilson
“As long as there is life in me, your happiness is guaranteed… I’ll fill your heart with ecstasy, forever darling”

If You Find Yourself Caught In Love – Belle and Sebastian
“Someone to take your life beyond, Another TV ‘I Love 1999′”

Absolute Beginners – David Bowie
“As long as you’re still smiling, There’s nothing more I need”

The Magic Position – Patrick Wolf
“To live, to learn, to love in the major key”

I Walk the Line – Johnny Cash
“You’ve got a way to keep me on your side
You give me cause for love that I can’t hide”

Chateau Lobby #4 (In C for Two Virgins) – Father John Misty
“You left a note in your perfect script
‘Stay as long as you want’
And I haven’t left your bed since”

Dreaming – Allo Darlin’
“Will you go out with me tonight?
Lose it on the disco floor”

This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody) – Talking Heads
“And you love me till my heart stops
Love me till I’m dead”

With Arms Outstretched – Rilo Kiley
“And some days they last longer than others,
But this day by the lake went too fast”

I Belong In Your Arms – Chairlift
“Crossin’ my heart
Open wide
You’re my crystal and clover”

Perfect Day – Lou Reed
“Oh such a perfect day,
You just keep me hanging on”

We Have All the Time in the World – Fun Lovin’ Criminals
“And we got all the love in the world.
And as time goes by you will find we need nothing more.”

Let’s Get Out Of This Country – Camera Obscura
“We’ll find a cathedral city, you can be handsome… I’ll be pretty”

I Will Follow You Into The Dark – Death Cab for Cutie
“If there’s no one beside you when your soul embarks, then I’ll follow you into the dark”

Toothpaste Kisses – The Maccabees
“Pulling shapes just for your eyes”

About the Author

Hannah Millard (aka Camera Hannah) is a wedding photographer from Derby who has been shooting alternative weddings all over the UK (and beyond!) since 2010. She offers a blend of photographs and filmmaking and has an informal and creative approach to her photography.