We’re continuing our talk on reception music with Travis of Unique Events of Iowa. Last week, we talked about how to make your reception fun. This week, we’re diving into your first dance and how to pick a song that is meaningful to you.

Every couple wants a special first dance. How should they go about picking a song, especially if they don’t have one that is meaningful to both of them?

We get asked relatively often what we suggest for a first dance song and, although you would assume a DJ could just rattle 10 songs off at will, with a first dance song it’s really not that easy! We feel like a couple should be clicking with their first dance song and that’s what makes suggesting songs so difficult. 

I usually recommend creating a Pandora station with a few songs that you like then sit back and listen. A lot of times you’ll come across a song you never knew existed or that you completely forgot about that works perfectly! We can tell (and I imagine a camera can too) when a couple is just out there dancing to a song compared to a couple that has a connection to a song.

For reference, I did some online research for the 10 most popular first dance songs. You can follow Travis’ advice and make a Pandora station from any of these and see where the rabbit hole takes you! You may find your perfect first dance song!

• “At Last” by Etta James
• “I Won’t Give Up” by Jason Mraz
• “You Are The Best Thing” by Ray LaMontagne
• “All of Me” by John Legend
• “Better Together” by Jack Johnson
• “A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri
• “Everything” by Michael Bublé
• “First Day of My Life” by Bright Eyes
• “Then” by Brad Paisley
• “Make You Feel My Love” by Adele

Any tips for the parent dances?

For a parents dances, I like a good surprise for the guests! A fun dance (especially if the parent wouldn’t be expected to partake in a fun dance) can really get the crowd going!

Who’s responsible for picking the songs in general for the evening (for open dance floor and such), the couple or the DJ?

Thanks again, Travis, for all your tips! We’ll conclude this mini series next week when we talk about the order of events at your reception. Believe it or not, it ties in very closely with how much fun your guests will have!