The First Dance: Choosing a Song

Photography by Kevin Weinstein

By: Amber Cooper (@TheHoneyLife)

For many couples the first dance is where they can finally decompress and take in their newlywed status, if only for a few minutes. After much socializing and picture-taking, to be in the arms of your beloved as your guests quietly look on can be a true "Cinderella"-moment.

Here are 15 of my favorite songs (in no particular order) for The First Dance:

1. "Like a Star" - Corinne Bailey Rae
2. "The Look of Love" - Diana Krall
3. "Spend My Life With You" - Eric Benet
4. "All of Me" - John Legend
5. "The Only Reason" - JP Cooper
6. "Whenever Wherever Whatever" - Maxwell
7. "Our Love is Easy" - Melody Gardot
8. "Unforgettable"-  Nat King Cole
9. "Collide"-  Nayanna Holley
10."Baby It's U"-  Brian McKnight
11."Imposible Vivir Sin Ti" - Buena Vista Social Club
12."If I Never Get To Heaven" - Javier
13."Lovers Rock" - Sade
14."That's Where It's At" - Sam Cooke
15. "So Amazing" - Luther Vandross

As you can see I'm a bit of a classic R&B/jazz-head. If you're more of the country or classic rock-type check out these posts from The Knot!

Wedding Songs: 35 Country-Flavored First Dance Songs
Wedding Songs: 33 Rockin' First Dance Songs

How to Determine The Size Of The Dancefloor?

In a previous blog post (here) I provide tips on how to choose your perfect venue. One important tip I provide for couples is to remember that your dancefloor will take up some of the space on that special night. Need some help figuring the size of your dancefloor? Here is a chart to help you figure out which dimensions are perfect so your guests can party the night away.

                                                                    50 guests: 12' x 12'

                                                                   100 guests: 12' x 20'

                                                                   150 guests: 14' x 14'
                                                                   200 guests: 16' x 28'
                                                                   300 guests: 26' x 26'

                                                                   400 guests: 30' x 30'

                                                                   550 guests:  36' x 36'

* Remember, approximately half of the guests will be on the dance floor at the time. This chart gives you an approximation of the dimensions needed for dancing. Choose the dimension closest to your guest count.