From the Professionals...The First Dance

Main Image Photography Credit: Photography By Sally-Anne

Each month we delve deeper into subjects with the help of our trusted Whitewed approved professionals! This month we've asked Euphoria Entertainments, Mister Disco’s and Disco Superstars (three of our vetted and approved wedding DJ’s) to share their thoughts on the first dance - at what time do they recommend it should happen, and what songs are currently trending as the top first dance choices!

The first dance has huge emphasis placed on it. From the song choice, dance moves and timing of the event, your guests eagerly await the announcement of this momentous occasion. Although named the first dance, it doesn't have to mean it's the first dance of the evening, instead the first dance that you will do as husband and wife. Choosing the perfect tune to mark this dance may come easily for some, others it's not quite such an easy task!

*Photo Credit: Disco Superstars

Some couples have 'their song' whilst others may have completely different taste in music, or may not even be fussed by music at all. Finding a song that will be meaningful, personal and romantic when you don't know where to even begin can be a tricky task. Hopefully sharing the top ten first dance songs of our trusted DJ's may help give you some ideas of songs to check out. Top ten means these songs are pretty popular and no doubt have been played at another wedding you've attended before, however popular isn't such a bad thing. If they're a top choice, it's for a reason! They're great songs with emotive lyrics, steady slower rhythm and a romantic twist making them ideal 'first dance' material!

We asked Euphoria Entertainments, Mister Disco’s and Disco Superstars to spill the beans on their most requested first dance songs to date. Of course, as with everything we got a few obvious front runners that also feature across global top 10 dance songs lists too (such as that of Spotify), and you guessed it, Ed Sheeran was definitely mentioned a few times, along with John Legend, Christina Perri and Ellie Goulding too!

*Photo credit: Euphoria Entertainments

Sean of Euphoria Entertainments shares his top ten most played first dance songs from the past few years with us. You'll notice the expected tunes, but they're also a couple of older classics in there too!

1. Ed Sheeran - Perfect
2. Jason Mraz - I'm Yours
3. Ed Sheeran - Thinking out Loud
4. John Legend - All of me
5. Nat King Cole - L-O-V-E
6. Elle Goulding - How long will I love you
7. The Dixie Cups - Chapel of Love
8. Savage Garden - Truely Madly Deeply
9. Bruno Mars - Just the way you are
10. Christina Perri - A Thousand Years

Who else started singing the lyrics out load to some of the above? "Goin' to the chapel and we're gonna get married!"

*Photo Credit: Nick Adams Photography

Lennox of Mister Disco's shares his top ten with us too. Although his couples seem to be steering towards the obvious favs, he too has a few little gems that are worth exploring!

1. Ed Sheeran - Perfect
2. Ed Sheeran -Thinking out loud
3. John Legend - All of me
4. Christina Perri - A thousand Years
5. Ellie Goulding - How Long Will I love You
6. Lonestar - Amazed
7. Snow Patrol - Chasing Cars
8. LeAnn Rimes - How Do I Live Without You
9. The Lumineers - Ho Hey
10. Elton John – Something about the way you look tonight.

*Photo Credit: Mark Bastick Photography

Last but most certainly not least, we chatted to Roger of Disco Superstars to find out if they've seen the same first dance song requested as above. Ed Sheeran was a given (after all, what wedding song-list is complete without Ed), but they also had a few surprises for us! Roger says 'Strangely enough, we haven't had any 1st dance songs asked for more than once, everyone seems to be unique in their choices!'

1. Christina Perri - A Thousand Years
2. Kodaline - The One
3. Ed Sheeran Feat Beyonce - Perfect
4. Ben E King - Stand By Me
5. Artic Monkeys - Baby I'm Yours
6. JLS - Love You More
7. Jay-Z Feat Mr Hudson - Young Forever
8. Oasis - Wonderwall
9. Ed Sheeran - Tenerife Sea
10. Lonestar - Amazed

*Photo Credit: Disco Superstars

So, you've picked your song and now you've got to pick the ideal time to take to the dance floor and 'get your groove on' as a married couple. There is no set rule as to the best time for your first dance during your wedding reception, but we believe it's something that should be given some consideration. Too early in the evening and you run the risk of your guests not being relaxed enough, in need of 'one more' glass of wine to throw their own moves, or your evening guests not being there yet to watch on. Leave it late and your guests have all spread out too wide, with timings clashing with your evening buffet or guests too busy using your photo booth!

There is no exact science to the timing of the first dance and in reality it'll come down to your personal preference, however Euphoria Entertainments, Mister Disco’s and Disco Superstars all agree that the ideal timing is around 8pm. From experience, getting the formalities of speeches out of the way so everyone is more relaxed is a must. If you wait until 8pm, it allows for your evening reception guests to have arrived and mingled ready for the cake cutting and first dance to commence. If you tie in your cake cutting with first dance straight after, it'll mean that you'll have all your guests gathered round and not seated, so they can watch on before joining you on the dance floor!

If you're super nervous about your dance, don't be. You only have to wrap your arms around your partner for the first 30 seconds and then it's acceptable to invite your guests to join you all on the dance floor!

*Photo Credit: Euphoria Entertainments

Thanks to our wonderful Whitewed approved DJ’s for shedding some light on the first dance for us. Who else is humming tunes in their head and playing ‘first dance’ songs on their Alexa or Sonos to find their perfect song now!?

Why not head over to The Whitewed Directory, check out the pages of Euphoria Entertainments, Mister Disco’s and Disco Superstars to find out more about their set ups, book in your consultations to chat through your wedding day requirements and your first dance tune too!

Happy Planning

Love Team Whitewed