Choosing a first dance song is arguably harder than naming your first-born. Yes, it’s that big a deal. Especially if you’re a massive music fan and have the weight of your fellow music-snob’s expectations on your shoulders.
Here are twenty left-field alternative songs for your first dance that will not only celebrate your love, but have your chin-scratching hipster friends reaching for Shazam.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Maps
The quintessential guitar love song that manages to rock out while staying understated throughout. Bonus points if you can convince a string quartet to play it.
Big Thief - Mary
Haunting, delicate and beautiful with just the right pace for a slow dance. We adore this song.
Divine Comedy - Songs of Love
A beautiful and romantic song in its own right, but any Father Ted fans will lose their minds when the harpsichord solo kicks in towards the end…
Magnetic Fields - The Book of Love
The cover version by Peter Gabriel has perhaps become more widely known, but nothing beats the dulcet baritone vocals on the original.
Beirut - Postcards from Italy
A gorgeous Ukulele-based song that transports you off to the Amalfi coast.
Beach House - Take Care
We just love the dreamy pop sound of Beach House and the chorus of “I’d take care of you.”
Spiritualized - Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space
From the amazing album of the same name by Spiritualized, it has the killer lines: I will love you 'til I die
And I will love you all the time, So please put your sweet hand in mine, And float in space and drift in time. Gorgeous!
Emiliana Torrini - Beggar’s Prayer
One of the most underrated indie artists with one of her most beautiful songs.
The National - Fake Empire
Never has a political song sounded so romantic. There are many The National songs suitable for first dances, but we can’t help but think this is the best.
Lord Huron - The Night We Met
A modern classic that sounds like it’s been transported all the way from the 1960s.
Alt-J - Warm Foothills
“I tie my life to your balloon and let it go.” A brilliant song from a really unique band.
Bon Iver - Re:Stacks
Skinny Love is a more popular choice, but we love the pace of this track from the same wonderful album.
Highasakite - Heavenly Father
The rarest of things: a cover of a fantastic song that somehow manages to be even better than the original. Heavenly.
The Jesus and Mary Chain - Just Like Honey
I don’t know about you, but we can’t think of a more romantic movie than Lost in Translation. It also opened up this song to a whole new audience.
Jose Gonzalez - Stay Alive
We’ve heard Gonzalez’ cover of heartbeats used as a first dance, but never this one. It’s all about that epic build at the end.
Regina Spektor - Us
There’s something timeless about this awesome song by Regina Spektor that makes it a fantastic first dance song.
Cat Power, ‘Sea Of Love’
Having a smaller wedding? Nothing says intimate Indie love song like Cat Power’s Sea of Love.
Talking Heads - This must be the Place
Talking heads can do no wrong in our book, and as a first dance it’s impossible to beat the groove of this track.
Death Cab for Cutie - I will follow you into the dark
It’s less ‘until death do us part’ and more ‘death is no obstacle for love’ delivered up by Death Cab in a way that just errs on the right side of twee.
Smashing Pumpkins - Today
“Today is the greatest day I’ve ever known.” Grab your bridal party and rock out to this banger!