Photo: Ciro Photography
Every year, a new crop of love songs jockeys to become part of the wedding first-dance pantheon. Here are our picks from the past 12 months. Tip: Your first dance shouldn't last longer than three minutes. If your song is longer (as many of the ones below are), work with your DJ or band to trim it down.
1. "Young and Beautiful," Lana Del Rey
Lana Del Rey - Young and Beautiful from Lana Del Rey Videos on Vimeo.
Kanye West had a 50-piece orchestra play this sweeping love song from The Great Gatsby soundtrack during his proposal to Kim Kardashian. It's reportedly one of her favorites.
2. "Hold On, We're Going Home," Drake
Drake ~ Hold On We're Going Home from OctobersVeryOwn on Vimeo.
Drake has said of the slinky synth-R&B record, "I was like, 'Man, it would be great if [it] was played at weddings in 10 years.'" We're betting it will be, Drizzy.
3. "A New Life," Jim James
Jim James - A New Life - Official Music Video from mimi cave on Vimeo.
For his first solo album, and while recovering from a bad tumble off the stage, the My Morning Jacket frontman wrote this achingly romantic song about falling in love. We fell in love on the first note.
4. TIE: "I Love You Madly" and "Crazy Love," Irene Diaz
Irene Diaz - Crazy Love from Elefante on Vimeo.
We couldn't decide which of this L.A. torch singer's songs was more first-dance-worthy, so we included both. "I Love You Madly" doesn't have a video yet, but you can listen to it on the Spotify playlist below. (Just scroll to the bottom.)
5. "All of Me," John Legend
JOHN LEGEND [all of me] - clean verion from nabil elderkin on Vimeo.
No secret where the inspiration for this song—and video—came from: Legend's now-wife Chrissy Teigen. (Watch until the end and you'll get a sweet peek at their real wedding video.)
6. "Silhouette," Active Child, featuring Ellie Goulding
You want a first-dance tune that transports you to totally different dimension on angel wings? This is your song. (Tell us you don't get shivers when Ellie Goulding starts singing.)
7. "Mirrors," Justin Timberlake
Justin Timberlake - Mirrors (Radio Version Music Video) from 3GP Music Videos on Vimeo.
JT has said, "'Mirrors' is a love song to someone that you feel like is, you know, sort of your other half." Just come out and tell us it's about Jessica Biel, already, Justin.
8. "Who You Love," John Mayer, featuring Katy Perry
No matter what your opinion of John Mayer is, this song is an unexpectedly heartfelt examination of grown-up love. And it kind of makes us hope these two crazy kids make it.
9. "Marry Me," Jason Derulo
Jason Derulo - "Marry Me" from Hannah Lux Davis on Vimeo.
The title pretty much guaranteed this uptempo song would be on the list. Fun fact: Derulo wrote it for his girlfriend, Jordin Sparks, who's also in the steamy video below.
10. "Best Day of My Life," American Authors
American Authors "Best Day of My Life" from Mark Staubach on Vimeo.
If you're allergic to slow dancing and want to get your choreography on, this song is for you. It's sure to get the crowd on its feet.
Your turn: Tell us what you think. Did we miss anything? Sound off below!
—Yolanda Crous
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