Want Epic Dance Floor Photos? Here’s How
Let’s be honest. The first dance often gets a bad rep. It’s that awkward, slightly cringy part of the day where you feel like all eyes are burning into your soul. And if you’re not the next contestant on ‘Strictly’, the thought of shuffling in a slow circle while everyone stares is enough to make you consider skipping it altogether.
If the thought of a first dance makes want to run to the Yorkshire hills…..guess what? It doesn’t have to be like that. In fact, with a little creativity (and some confetti cannons, yes, you heard me right), your first dance can be an absolute showstopper. One of those talked-about-for-years…wedding moments. And as a Yorkshire wedding photographer who’s captured ‘a lot’ of dance floors, I’m here to tell you how to make it fun, breathtaking, and totally unforgettable.
I light my dance floors with a mix of directional and backlighting to create powerful, atmospheric images. Think moody silhouettes, glowing halos, and energetic pops of colour.
Why I’m Obsessed with the Dance Floor
Before we get into the magic of confetti, let me just say, I love the dance floor. You’ll always find me on the dance floor at a wedding, camera in hand, but fully vibing. I’m right in the thick of it, dodging rogue elbows and shimmying through the conga line like it’s an Olympic sport. I thrive on the beautiful chaos, the flailing arms, the questionable dance moves, and the occasional granny raving like she’s headlining Glastonbury. It’s where the magic (and the most hilarious photos) happens..
The Secret Weapon: Confetti Cannons
Now, let’s talk confetti cannon. Creates a mega ‘wow’ moment The crowd always goes wild. It’s like clockwork. The second those cannons pop, you’ll hear a collective “Wooo!” The added bonus – Looks insane in photos. The golden flurry catching the light, your beaming faces underneath, it’s the kind of shot you’ll treasure forever.
Go Big or Go Home with Confetti Cannons, not all confetti is created equal. For max impact, go for gold or silver cannons, the metallic finish reflects the dance floor lights, creating a glitter explosion that looks incredible in photos. And make sure they’ve got a 6-8m range, nothing worse than a limp splat of confetti hitting the floor too soon. You want it soaring high and fluttering down dramatically.
You need at least four cannons. Trust me. One or two is underwhelming, leaving you awkwardly twirling long after the sparkle fizzles out. But four? Or even 6 That’s the sweet spot. Fire them off in stages, one at the start, then another every 30-45 seconds—keeping the energy building and the moment electric. Get your wedding party involved (ushers, bridesmaids, anyone still coherent) to man the cannons from different angles, aiming high for full coverage. And when that confetti rains down? Don’t just stand there, twirl, dip, and kiss. This is your ‘wow’ moment….milk it.
Ready To Light Up The Dance Floor?
Your first dance doesn’t have to be something you just ‘get through, it can be a highlight of the night. With a little planning (and a lot of confetti), you’ll create a moment that feels magical in the moment and looks even better in your wedding photos. For a first dance with serious style, get a live band on board. There’s nothing like real vocals and instruments to give the moment a raw, acoustic edge. Whether it’s a chilled, stripped-back version of your song or a full-throttle performance, live music adds a cool, unpolished vibe that a recording just can’t fake. Plus, it makes the jump from first dance to full-blown party feel slick and effortless.
Planning a wedding comes with its fair share of head-scratchers. Which venue will you pick? Who makes the guest list cut? And what feast are you serving? But for many couples, the biggest brain-buster of all is ‘drumroll’… which song to choose for the first dance.
To give you a helping hand, I’ve pulled together a list of songs, from timeless classics to something a little off the beaten track, to make your decision a little easier.
Wedding First Dance Inspiration
Top 50 Classic First Dance Songs
1. At Last – Etta James
2. Unchained Melody – The Righteous Brothers
3. Can’t Help Falling in Love – Elvis Presley
4. The Way You Look Tonight – Frank Sinatra
5. Wonderful Tonight – Eric Clapton
6. Endless Love – Lionel Richie & Diana Ross
7. Your Song – Elton John
8. Something – The Beatles
9. Perfect – Ed Sheeran
10. I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing – Aerosmith
11. Amazed – Lonestar
12. Have I Told You Lately – Van Morrison
13. L-O-V-E – Nat King Cole
14. Make You Feel My Love – Adele
15. Stand by Me – Ben E. King
16. Moon River – Andy Williams
17. Everything – Michael Bublé
18. Better Together – Jack Johnson
19. You Are the Best Thing – Ray LaMontagne
20. I Just Called to Say I Love You – Stevie Wonder
21. Can’t Take My Eyes Off You – Frankie Valli
22. What a Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong
23. Thinking Out Loud – Ed Sheeran
24. This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) – Natalie Cole
25. Fly Me to the Moon – Frank Sinatra
26. You’re My Best Friend – Queen
27. Beyond – Leon Bridges
28. Let’s Stay Together – Al Green
29. Forever and Ever, Amen – Randy Travis
30. I Will Always Love You – Whitney Houston
31. Come Away With Me – Norah Jones
32. The Luckiest – Ben Folds
33. La Vie En Rose – Louis Armstrong
34. Kiss Me – Sixpence None the Richer
35. My Girl – The Temptations
36. How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) – James Taylor
37. Marry Me – Train
38. I’m Yours – Jason Mraz
39. God Only Knows – The Beach Boys
40. Something in the Way She Moves – James Taylor
41. Let It Be Me – The Everly Brothers
42. By Your Side – Sade
43. I Swear – All-4-One
44. She’s Got a Way – Billy Joel
45. More Than Words – Extreme
46. When I Fall in Love – Nat King Cole
47. Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic – The Police
48. We’ve Only Just Begun – The Carpenters
49. You Make It Easy – Jason Aldean
50. Unforgettable – Nat King Cole & Natalie Cole
Top 50 Upbeat First Dance Songs
1. You Make My Dreams – Hall & Oates
2. Marry You – Bruno Mars
3. Best Day of My Life – American Authors
4. I Wanna Dance with Somebody – Whitney Houston
5. Crazy Little Thing Called Love – Queen
6. Happy – Pharrell Williams
7. You Are the Best Thing – Ray LaMontagne
8. I Got You (I Feel Good) – James Brown
9. On Top of the World – Imagine Dragons
10. L-O-V-E – Nat King Cole
11. Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours) – Stevie Wonder
12. Sugar – Maroon 5
13. I Choose You – Sara Bareilles
14. This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) – Natalie Cole
15. Can’t Stop the Feeling! – Justin Timberlake
16. Ho Hey – The Lumineers
17. Better Together – Jack Johnson
18. We Found Love – Rihanna & Calvin Harris
19. Love on Top – Beyoncé
20. You’ve Got the Love – Florence + The Machine
21. Come and Get Your Love – Redbone
22. Everything – Michael Bublé
23. Dancing in the Moonlight – Toploader
24. Higher Love – Kygo & Whitney Houston
25. I’m Yours – Jason Mraz
26. Boom Clap – Charli XCX
27. Good as Hell – Lizzo
28. Accidentally in Love – Counting Crows
29. I Just Wanna Shine – Fitz and the Tantrums
30. Rather Be – Clean Bandit ft. Jess Glynne
31. Safe and Sound – Capital Cities
32. Can’t Take My Eyes Off You – Frankie Valli
33. Say Hey (I Love You) – Michael Franti & Spearhead
34. Shut Up and Dance – WALK THE MOON
35. Best Part of Me – Ed Sheeran ft. YEBBA
36. Wouldn’t It Be Nice – The Beach Boys
37. Electric Love – BØRNS
38. Tenerife Sea – Ed Sheeran
39. Hold My Hand – Jess Glynne
40. Valerie – Mark Ronson ft. Amy Winehouse
41. You’ve Got a Friend in Me – Randy Newman
42. A Sky Full of Stars – Coldplay
43. Forever Like That – Ben Rector
44. Dance With Me Tonight – Olly Murs
45. Walking on Sunshine – Katrina & The Waves
46. 123456 – Fitz and the Tantrums
47. Don’t Stop Me Now – Queen
48. Send Me on My Way – Rusted Root
49. All You Need Is Love – The Beatles
50. Firework – Katy Perry
Unusual First Dance Songs
I Believe in a Thing Called Love – The Darkness
You and Me Song – The Wannadies
Everywhere – Fleetwood Mac
Home” – Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
Banana Pancakes – Jack Johnson
Baby I’m Yours – Arctic Monkeys
L-O-V-E – Joss Stone
You’re So Cool – Hans Zimmer
Let’s Dance to Joy Division – The Wombats
I’m Sticking With You – The Velvet Underground
And Finally
And remember, your first dance doesn’t have to be some nerve-wracking, all-eyes-on-you moment (unless you ‘want’ it to be!). If the thought of a first dance makes you break out in a cold sweat, ditch the pressure. Simply sway through the first verse, then grab your family and friends and flood the dance floor together. Anything goes, this is your party, so do it your way.
So……whether you’re gliding across the floor in sky-high platform heels or keeping it comfy in chic wedding flats, that first dance is going to be one for the memory books.
If you’re on the hunt for a Yorkshire wedding photographer to capture those unforgettable moments, hit below and say hi!
Make that first dance ‘EPIC’! Let’s do this!
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