Dance Wedding Songs
Welcome to Dance Wedding Songs, the ultimate guide to choosing your wedding dancing songs. Besides you in your lovely dress, your beautiful flowers, and your handsome groom, what will people remember most about your wedding? The wedding songs that you dance to, of course!
Let’s take a look at the best songs from the most memorable wedding movies ever, and the wedding traditions you’ll need them for.
The number-one most famous wedding flick is the 80s movie that launched Adam Sandler—“The Wedding Singer,” about the guy engaged to the wrong gal. The best songs in that movie? “True” by Spandau Ballet, “All Night Long” by Lionel Richie, and of course “Till There Was You.” This last song was performed by Ellen Dow, but artists from many genres have covered this. You can use it as your recessional or for your bridal waltz.
Jennifer Lopez and Matthew McConaughey made great music together in 2001’s “The Wedding Planner,” about a groom who falls for the guess-what. “I Honestly Love You,” originally done by Olivia Newton-John, is wonderful for one of your special wedding songs, as well as “The Closer You Are” covered by Tony Martin.
“It Had to be You” was the name of the 1947 movie, as well as the now-famous song within it, about Ginger Rogers starring as the first-ever runaway bride. We love it by either Harry Connick Jr or Frank Sinatra.
Julie Roberts is our modern-day “Runaway Bride” who can’t show up at the altar until she meets Richard Gere. “Before I Fall in Love” by Coco Lee and “You Sang to Me” by Marc Anthony bring great romance to the various traditions of the wedding. “You Can’t Hurry Love” by the Dixie Chicks and “I Love You” by Martina McBride will have your guests foot tappin’, Country-style.
Another great Julie Roberts-movie picture is “My Best Friend’s Wedding.” While Julia learns a few lessons before she gives away her friend, there’s great music like “Say A Little Prayer.” This has been done by Dionne Warwick, Aretha Franklin, Natalie Cole, and many others. You’ll also hear Tony Bennett crooning “The Way You Look Tonight,” perfect for the bride/dad dance or the parents’ dance. Ani Difranco sang “Wishin’ and Hopin’” in the movie, but we love it best by Dusty Springfield for the bouquet toss.
“Father of the Bride” starring Steve Martin was a remake of Spencer Tracy’s classic 1950 film featuring a dewy Elizabeth Taylor. The 1991 version has no less than three versions of “The Way You Look Tonight,” by Steve Tyrell, Tony Bennett, and Alan Silvestri. If you haven’t heard this beautiful song, listen to it now and pick your favorite version.
Another popular wedding movie is 1991’s “Betsy’s Wedding,” in which Molly Ringwald’s dad gets in over his head. You might have to hunt for the soundtrack, but it’s worth it. We recommend Amazon’s awesome MP3 tool for listening to samples of these possible wedding songs. “Chapel of Love” performed by the Dixie Chicks makes for a wonderfully fun grand entrance.
Bridal Dance Song Ideas
If you’re looking for romantic songs for your bridal dance, for your parents’ dance, or for wedding songs in general, choose “Embraceable You” by Ella Fitzgerald, “Evergreen” by Barbra Streisand, or “Come Fly With Me” by Frankie Avalon. “The Stripper” by David Rose is great for removing the garter, and Van Morrison’s “Moondance” is something different for the bouquet toss or the farewell circle.
From 2005’s “The Wedding Crashers” we get a great soundtrack without many dance wedding songs, but you can’t have a wedding without The Isley Brother’s “Shout.” This energetic song, featured during the montage when we meet wild and wacky Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson, will get people moving at your reception.
Ultimately, your favorite wedding movie will be the video of your own event. Ask your DJ how to maximize your memories with a disc of the special songs you choose. Don’t forget to pick out selections for your various traditions–your reception entrance, the bridal waltz, the bride/dad and the groom/mom dance, parents’ and grandparents’ dances, cake cutting, garter and bouquet fun, and farewell circle songs. Your guests will have—almost—as much fun as the two of you.
For the most Popular Wedding Songs make sure to check out the Wedding Reception Kit which includes the Top Wedding Songs list.
All the best with your big day,
Grace Williams
Dance Wedding Songs