Wedding Ideas

How to Choose the Music for Your First Dance

Posted on June 22, 2017 by Francesca Sgambati

When it’s time to choose the music for your very first dance as Mr. and Mrs., don’t  feel you have to pick from a list of classic, romantic love songs. These days, many couples are getting creative and choosing a wedding song that means something special to them, one that tells their love story in a very personal and meaningful way. “It’s no longer necessarily standards like ‘Unforgettable,’ or ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love,’” says Scott Hornak, co-founder of Craig Scott Entertainment in Paramus. “There are no rules any more,” he adds. “It doesn’t have to be a slow song. It doesn’t have to be a classic standard like the way ‘Unforgettable’ used to be. It can be anything that reflects what’s romantic to the bride and groom in their heart.” Couples are even choosing a first dance song that the average person might not necessarily find romantic. “But to them, it has a lot more meaning, which makes it romantic for them,” Hornak says. How are couples selecting their special song? It may be a song from a concert they attended or a tune that includes a lyric that really captures their relationship. “Years ago, you could have a list of romantic songs,” Hornak says. “I don’t feel today there is that list anymore because brides and grooms are really looking for individuality.” With such a variety of music easily accessible online, couples are finding their wedding songs in musical genres including alternative and indie rock, reggae, jazz, pop and country. It’s another way couples are making their wedding their own. “These individualized songs really put their stamp on their wedding,” Hornak says. “This is their signature song.” A handpicked song really makes the first dance a memorable moment. “When you can see the bride and groom are in love, and it means so much to them, you remember that,” Hornak says.   Here are a number of out-of-the-ordinary songs, with special meaning to the bride and  groom, that Scott Hornak has played for first dances: • “Fade Into You,” by Mazzy Star • “So May It Secretly Begin,”  by Pat Metheny Group • “Then,” by Brad Paisley • “It’s Your Love,” by Tim McGraw • “Better Together,” by Us the duo • “From the Ground Up,” by Dan + Shay • “Last Night on Earth,”  by Green Day • “A Thousand Years,” by Christina Perri • “Grow Old with You,”  by Adam Sandler • “Is This Love,”  by Bob Marley & the Wailers • “This Must Be the Place,”  by Talking Heads • “How Will I Say I Love You,”  by Tony DeSare