MARYLAND WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER | MONDAY MEMOS | FIRST DANCES

MARYLAND WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER | MONDAY MEMOS | FIRST DANCE SONG SELECTION

I’m a lover of music. I come from a musical family, so I can appreciate so many aspects of it. I have never been patient enough with an instrument to learn one, but I am one of the few in my family that does not. My husband, a drummer, comes from a similar background. I’m blessed to have a considerably good voice, paired with a horrible case of stage fright. Associating music so much with emotion, I can be in the car singing along to a song and crying the next.

Wedding music can play a big role in the day. It can set the tone for guests, and allow your event to build throughout the night. Today I want to talk a little about First Dance music selection. This weekend was a double header for me (two weddings in a row). Both of these weddings were exceptional, as were the people getting married!

Before we begin, let’s discuss the RULES about picking a song for a First Dance.

1. There are no rules! It’s YOUR day. Pick what feels right to you.

Having covered all the logistics of picking your tune, let’s move on to the fun stuff! I’ve put together a little list of ten songs I think are beautiful for a First Dance. These have all been picked randomly from digging through YouTube. Some of these you may have heard, while others may be new. Most are slow, romantic, and emotion provoking.

Get ready and dim the lights. Here is what’s on my First Dance inspiration playlist, in no particular order:

1. KIRBY – LOVED BY YOU
2. JOHN MAYER (FT. KATY PERRY) – WHO YOU LOVE
3. AL GREEN – LET’S STAY TOGETHER
4. ED SHEERAN – TENERIFE SEA
5. KODALINE – THE ONE
6. JASON MRAZ – BEAUTIFUL MESS
7. LEON BRIDGES – RIVER
8. ADELE – ONE AND ONLY
9. MARIANA TRENCH – BESIDE YOU
10. TAYLOR SWIFT – OURS (our song! <3)

To make it easy to listen to them all, I’ve created a playlist here.

I was inspired to write this blog after hearing the version of “Home” that Chelsea and Heath used on Friday. It gave me chills and I couldn’t stop listening to it as I pulled their images into Lightroom that night to do a preview before they left for their honeymoon in Thailand. As I let the playlist shuffle on via YouTube, so many great videos followed. Some of them literally stopped me in my tracks.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

It will be fun to break down other music moments in the future, and I look forward to doing more music research. The art of the music video is NOT dead. It is very much alive, even though popular music networks have diverged more down the reality rabbit hole. I’ll be honest when I say I haven’t seen half the videos to the songs I love, but now I am more inclined to check them out! These are a few I came across that I just HAD to add in.

• KODALINE – ALL I WANT
  • Emotion provoking, this one REALLY got me. Watch videos 1 and 2. Not only is the song amazing, but they create quite a story in the videos. I quite literally sat at my computer and sobbed while hugging my yorki-poo. Prepare yourself. These are both tear jerkers.
• LUNCHMONEY LEWIS – AIN’T TOO COOL
  • This would be an amazing song to open up the dance floor with! I had never heard it until yesterday when a photographer friend mentioned having highlighted it at her wedding. The video MAKES the song. If you are in need of a 30 second dance party after the tear jerker you just experienced.. well, YOU ARE WELCOME!
• TEGAN AND SARAH – CLOSER
  • Another upbeat love song, this is a great choice for a couple who wants to get out there and just shake their booty. It’s also perfect to open up the dance floor with guests, or just to jump around and sing to one another. I’d love to hear this at more weddings!
• JOHN DENVER – COUNTRY ROADS
  • This is a staple for any West Virginia Mountaineer. We closed our wedding with this one and it’s ceremonial at many WVU alumni events. Everyone gathers in a circle and sings together, typically ending with the bride and groom in the middle celebrating one last moment in the spotlight. I’d love to hear about some other home state traditions!

SINGLE?

Let’s face it. Maybe you’re here to listen to some sappy songs, but you aren’t currently in a relationship. Maybe you just broke up with someone? Relationships are hard, ya’ll. I get it. Here’s one of my favorite recovery songs. Pair it with a little dance party of your own and I promise it will improve your mood. The video is super fun, too!

• SARAH BAREILLES – GONNA GET OVER YOU

Wait, WAIT!

Before you leave, let me know what you think! Did you like this topic? Have songs to add? Leave a comment below and let me know what you danced to! Thanks for stopping by the blog and I’ll see ya next Monday for more tips!

-Ash

Photography | Ashton Kelley Photography

Venue | Belmont Manor