25 Modern First Dance Wedding Songs – Arranged By Dance Style

While there are many great songs you can choose to dance at your wedding, you may also want to know what dance style those songs fit.

While most websites only list random first dance songs, in this guide I list excellent first dance wedding songs based on the dance they fit. You’ll find the songs arranged by dance below.

As a Ballroom dance instructor I’ve done it all, and seen it all. I’ve choreographed Waltzes, Salsas, Rumbas and more, and one piece of advice I can give you is that you don’t want to pick a song only by how much you like it, but also by how enjoyable it will be to dance to it!

Below you’ll find wedding songs that fit the most popular Ballroom dances including: Waltz, Rumba, Foxtrot, Swing and Salsa. The reason I’ve chosen to focus on these 5 dances is because you really can’t go wrong with any of them. Let me know if you have any questions below in the comments section.

By the way, want to learn how to dance? Check out our guide on how to dance at a wedding as well as our Beginner’s guide on how to Ballroom dance.

First, what is the Waltz:
It is a traveling dance around the room where the main basic steps used are a box step and a progressive half box step. It is counted 1,2,3 1,2,3. This dance is perfect for those of you looking for a smooth time on the floor.

Song #1:

Title: Come away with me
Artist: Norah Jones
Dance: Waltz (Slow speed)

Listen to the song:

Song #2:

Title: Roses & Violets
Artist: Alexander Jean
Dance: Waltz (Intermediate speed)

Listen to song:

Song #3:

Title: Could I Have This Dance
Artist: Anne Murray
Dance: Waltz (Intermediate speed)

Listen to song:

Song #4:

Title: Stay
Artist: Sara Bareilles
Dance: Waltz (Slow speed)

Listen to song:

Song #5:

Title: You And Me
Artist: Lifehouse
Dance: Waltz (Fast speed)

Listen to song:

Learn how to Waltz in this beginner guide

What is the Rumba:
It is a stationary dance that can turn on one spot, but doesn’t travel much. The Rumba has a lot of open hold movements that allow for expression. It is counted Slow, Quick, Quick. This dance is perfect for those of you looking for a slow and romantic dance.

Song #6:

Title: The Way I Am
Artist: Ingrid Michaelson
Dance: Rumba (American style)

Listen to song:

Song #7:

Title: Photograph
Artist: Ed Sheeran
Dance: Rumba (American style)

Listen to song:

Song #8:

Title: Everything
Artist: Michael Bubble
Dance: Rumba (American style)

Listen to song:

Song #9:

Title: Lucky
Artist: Jason Mraz & Colbie Cailat
Dance: Rumba (American style)

Listen to song:

Song #10:

Title: Better Together
Artist: Jack Johnson
Dance: Rumba (American Style)

Listen to song:

Learn how to Rumba in this beginner guide

What is the Foxtrot:
It is a traveling dance around the room with a very basic step that includes walking and side stepping. It is counted Slow, Slow, Quick, Quick. This dance is perfect for those of you who want to get around the room in an easy, casual way.

Song #11:

Title: Just the way you are
Artist: Bruno Mars
Dance: Foxtrot

Listen to song:

Song #12:

Title: I’m gonna lose you
Artist: Meghan Trainor Feat. John Legend
Dance: Foxtrot (Even timing)

Listen to song:

Song #13:

Title: You are the best thing
Artist: Ray LaMontagne
Dance: Foxtrot (Even timing)

Listen to song:

Song #14:

Title: Close your eyes
Artists: Michael Bubble
Dance: Foxtrot (Even timing)

Listen to song:

Song #15:

Title: Can’t Take My Eyes Off You
Artist: Frankie Valli and the 4 seasons
Dance: Foxtrot

Listen to song:

What is the Swing:
The East Coast Swing dance is a stationary dance that incorporates rock steps and triple steps. This dance has a lot of turns and spins, that make it fun and energetic. You can dance it with a single timing, or with triple timing.

Song #16:

Title: Loving you Easy
Artist: Zac Brown Band
Dance: East Coast Swing (Triple Timing)

Listen to song:

Song #17:

Title: Crazy little thing called love
Artist: Queen
Dance: East Coast Swing (Triple or single time swing)

Listen to song:

Song #18:

Title: Shut Up and Dance With Me
Artist: Walk The Moon
Dance: East Coast Swing (Triple or single timing)

Listen to song:

Song #19:

Title: What makes you beautiful
Artist: One Direction
Dance: East Coast Swing (Triple timing)

Listen to song:

Song #20:

Title: Marvin Gaye
Artist: Charlie Puth
Dance: East Coast Swing (Triple timing)

Listen to song:

Learn how to Swing in this beginner guide

What is the Salsa:
The Salsa dance is one of the hottest Latin dances today danced all over the world. This dance tends to be on a fast side, with lots of spins and turns. This dance is counted in a count of 8: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8, where counts 4 and 8 are pauses.

Song #21:

Title: Bailando
Artist: Enrique Iglesias Feat. Sean Paul
Dance: Salsa

Listen to song:

Song #22:

Title: Despacito
Artist: Luis Fonsi Feat. Daddy Yankee
Dance: Salsa

Listen to song:

Song #23:

Title: Shape of you
Artist: Ed Sheeran
Dance: Salsa

Listen to song:

Song #24:

Title: Valio La Pena
Artist: Marc Anthony
Dance: Salsa

Listen to song:

Song #25:

Title: Hips don’t lie
Artist: Shakira Feat. Wyclef Jean
Dance: Salsa

Listen to song:

I hope you enjoyed this wedding dance list of songs. If you have any questions about these songs or the dances they fit please let me know in the comments section below.