A Romantic Guide for Couples Getting Married in Boston, MA
Your first dance is one of the most unforgettable moments of your wedding day — a quiet pause between the whirlwind of emotion, laughter, and celebration. In Boston, where history meets heart and tradition meets creativity, couples tend to choose songs that balance timeless romance with personal meaning.
Whether you’re celebrating under twinkling lights in a Back Bay ballroom, a rustic South Shore barn, or a waterfront venue on the North Shore, this curated list features 25 Boston-approved first dance songs that consistently resonate with local couples and feel perfect for the moment you step onto the dance floor as newlyweds.
🎵 The Top 25 First Dance Songs Loved by Boston Couples
| # | Song Title | Artist |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | All of Me | John Legend |
| 2 | A Thousand Years | Christina Perri |
| 3 | Perfect | Ed Sheeran |
| 4 | At Last | Etta James |
| 5 | Can’t Help Falling in Love | Elvis Presley |
| 6 | L-O-V-E | Nat King Cole |
| 7 | Come Away With Me | Norah Jones |
| 8 | How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You) | James Taylor (born in Boston area) |
| 9 | You Are the Best Thing | Ray LaMontagne (New England favorite) |
| 10 | Lover | Taylor Swift |
| 11 | Halo | Beyoncé |
| 12 | From This Moment On | Shania Twain |
| 13 | I Will Always Love You | Whitney Houston |
| 14 | Mirrors | Justin Timberlake |
| 15 | Somewhere Only We Know | Keane |
| 16 | Wild Horses | The Rolling Stones |
| 17 | She’s Got a Way | Billy Joel |
| 18 | All My Life | K-Ci & JoJo |
| 19 | Forever Like That | Ben Rector |
| 20 | You and I | Stevie Wonder |
| 21 | Rather Be | Clean Bandit ft. Jess Glynne |
| 22 | Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours) | Stevie Wonder |
| 23 | The Only Exception | Paramore |
| 24 | Heaven | Beyoncé (or Bryan Adams/Warrant, depending on preferred version) |
| 25 | Too Sweet | Hozier (a modern favorite rising fast in New England weddings) |
💡 Why These Songs Work So Well in Boston Weddings
✨ Timeless & Emotional
Boston couples tend to favor songs with poetic lyrics and soft builds that translate beautifully to live bands, string quartets, or acoustic duos.
🎻 Local Musical Influence
James Taylor, Ray LaMontagne, and folk-tinged artists are especially embraced in New England where acoustic warmth meets storytelling.
🏛 Elegant, Not Overdone
These songs feel meaningful without being cliché — perfect for historic venues like the Boston Public Library, State Room, Willowdale Estate, or Ocean Edge Resort.
🎙 Works With Live Bands or DJs
Most of these songs can be performed with piano, vocals, acoustic guitar, or full band — flexible for Boston’s thriving live music wedding scene.
💞 Tips for Making Your First Dance Truly Yours
✔ Shorten the song to 2 minutes if you’re camera-shy — most bands will do this for you.
✔ Add a Boston touch — a violin intro, jazz trio, or strings from Berklee students feels authentic and classy.
✔ Practice once in your kitchen — not to perfect it, but to relax into it.
✔ Ask your band/DJ to invite guests to join halfway — a popular trend in Massachusetts weddings.
Your love story is unique — and your first dance should sound that way too. PartyBands.com matches Boston-area couples with live performers who turn a song into a moment.
