Answer five quick questions about your story and the vibe of your wedding. Get three song picks with a reason for each.
Based on your answers, here's what would work for your first dance.
A starting framework to share with your DJ. Pick a few from each moment that match the energy you want.
Download a printable version with your three picks, the reasoning behind each, and a starter playlist for the rest of your reception. Formatted to share with your coordinator.
Opens your browser's print dialog. Choose Save as PDF as the destination.
Most couples spend more time choosing their cake than choosing the song that fills the first three minutes of their marriage. Here is how to think about it.
Before you scroll through Spotify, name the feeling. Classic and timeless? Modern and easygoing? Cinematic and dramatic? Playful and lighthearted? Soulful and intimate? The vibe narrows hundreds of options down to a manageable shortlist.
Slow songs read intimate and traditional. Mid-tempo gives you room to actually move. A song that builds from a soft intro to a big finish is the most cinematic. Upbeat skips the swaying entirely and goes straight to joy.
"At Last" by Etta James is pure devotion. "First Day of My Life" by Bright Eyes is a love story. "I Will Follow You Into the Dark" is a promise. "Better Together" by Jack Johnson is playful. Pick a song whose words you'd still want to read on a card years from now.
2 to 3.5 minutes is the sweet spot. Anything longer and guests get restless watching. If your favorite song runs over 4 minutes, ask your DJ or live musician to fade it at the 2:45 to 3:00 mark. This is standard practice.
A song played live on violin or piano lands differently than the recording. Many couples book Julie specifically for the first dance for that reason. Listen to a few clips in the music section before deciding.
The First Dance Song Finder above asks five questions and returns three picks based on your answers, with a reason for each. It draws from a pool of 35 songs across every major era and genre, from Etta James and Sinatra to Ed Sheeran, Chris Stapleton, and Beyoncé.
There is no single best first dance song. The right pick depends on your story and the energy you want for the moment. Timeless choices include "At Last" by Etta James, "The Way You Look Tonight" by Frank Sinatra, and "Can't Help Falling in Love" by Elvis Presley. Modern favorites include "All of Me" by John Legend, "Perfect" by Ed Sheeran, "Tennessee Whiskey" by Chris Stapleton, and "A Thousand Years" by Christina Perri. Use the quiz above to get three picks for you.
Start with the vibe: classic, modern, cinematic, playful, or soulful. Then decide the energy level: slow sway, mid-tempo, building, or upbeat. Era and genre preference narrow it further. Finally, listen to what the lyrics say: pure devotion, a love story, a promise, a playful inside joke, or something transcendent. The First Dance Song Finder asks all five of these and recommends three songs that fit.
Most first dances run 2 to 3.5 minutes. Anything longer can feel awkward because guests are watching the whole time. Many couples ask their DJ or a live musician to fade the song at the 2:30 to 3:00 mark, especially for songs over four minutes.
Yes. Live violin or piano during a first dance is one of the most-requested moments for Julie's wedding bookings across NYC, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Julie can perform from her existing repertoire of 200+ songs, or learn a custom song with at least 6 weeks of lead time. Featured arrangements where Julie plays the song's vocal melody on violin by memory rather than over the recording are also available. Inquire about your date through the form on this page.
Yes. The quiz is free, takes about 60 seconds, and returns three song picks with a reason for each. You can also download a printable PDF of your picks to share with your DJ or coordinator. No email required.
Tell Julie a little about your event. Typical response within 24 hours.