The Top 10 First Dance Wedding Songs – Part 3

Part 3 of the Top 10 First Dance Wedding Songs brings us into a continued examination of the tunes brides and grooms are choosing to dance to on their special day. It can be agreed that the most defining element of a first dance beyond the actual wedding couple themselves is their song! Many couples find it challenging to choose the song that they will dance to as newlyweds. Others know their first dance song pick from the moment of their engagement. In this article we will continue to share the top 10 most requested first dance songs and explore fabulous wedding dance ideas to go with each one! Orange County wedding couples have requested to learn how to dance it up to each one of the songs that made the national wedding dance list. There must be some romantic magic in the melody of these tunes. Let’s take a look at first dance songs numbers 4 and 3!

First Dance Song #4: “Die a Happy Man” – Thomas Rhett

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Po5tYG4irKA

“Die a Happy Man” was written for country singer Thomas Rhett’s wife and was called the love song of the year when it was released in 2015. Billy Dukes of Taste of Country reviewed the song saying, “’Die a Happy Man’ is a slow burner that melts like candle wax. With just a few pulls from a blues-soaked guitar, the mood is set for this increasingly dynamic singer to heat up any room.” It’s no wonder that Orange County wedding couples pick this song for their first dance! The song offers a slower beat which makes it inviting to many different dance styles. I would enjoy choreographing a two-step, swing, and foxtrot fusion for a first dance. Two-step would match the country feel of the wedding song while allowing the first dance couple to move across the floor. Foxtrot would invite a touch of class and swing would create the upbeat feeling that oozes from the lyrics of Rhett’s single. First dance spins and lifts would highlight the piece and the first dance couple would transition seamlessly between the dance styles.

First Dance Song #3: “Can’t Help Falling in Love” – Various Artists

Most people will think of Elvis Presley when they hear the song title “Can’t Help Falling in Love”. It was originally recorded by the famous American pop singer in 1961 and has been covered numerous times since. What most people don’t know about the popular tune is that the melody was based on “Plaisir d’amour”, a classical French love song written in 1784! Here at Bella Ballroom I’ve had Orange County wedding dance couples request the Elvis Presley version the most. The second most requested version of “Can’t Help Falling in Love” has been the 2008 cover by Ingrid Michaelson. I also worked with one couple that used the UB40 version of the song for performing their first dance at their destination wedding in the Bahamas.

First dance choreography possibilities are numerous for this classic song. I’ve enjoyed creating customized romantic dances for couples tailoring to the couple’s dance desires, the layout of the their dance floor, the personalities of the couple, and the version of the song they’ve chosen. While brides and grooms may have chosen the same song, the finished product of their first dance has always been unique. I’ve enjoyed creating choreographies that showcased the couple under a spotlight with beautiful turns and dips right as the vocalist sings, “falling.” I’ve also helped couples spin across an expansive dance floor as if they were planted in the ballroom dancing scenes of “Beauty and the Beast” or “Cinderella.” “Can’t Help Falling in Love” has been and will continue to be a tried and true classic first dance song.