Top Indie Wedding Songs Perfect for Your First Dance
- Henry Clark
- 12 minutes ago
- 4 min read
Let’s be honest.
Not every couple dreams of swaying awkwardly to something overly polished, overplayed, or painfully cheesy.
If you grew up on indie gigs, festival singalongs, and songs that actually meant something — your first dance should feel like you, not a box-ticking exercise.
The good news? There are plenty of indie wedding first dance songs that feel intimate, emotional, and personal — without killing the vibe.
Below are some of the best indie first dance songs we see couples choose time and time again, all of which work beautifully live at real weddings.
💛 “Baby I’m Yours” – Arctic Monkeys
A modern indie classic that somehow feels timeless.
Stripped back, romantic, and full of warmth, Baby I’m Yours works perfectly as a first dance — especially when performed live with soft dynamics and vocal harmonies.
It’s simple. It’s sincere. And it feels like a proper moment.
🎉 “One Day Like This” – Elbow
This one’s special.
It often starts as a first dance…and ends with half the room joining in.
“One Day Like This” is perfect for couples who want:
a meaningful first dance
a big emotional lift
a natural transition into party mode
It’s cinematic, euphoric, and guaranteed to give you goosebumps when the chorus hits.
✨ “A Sky Full of Stars” – Coldplay
For couples who want romance and a sense of occasion.
This works brilliantly as:
a traditional first dance
or a “first dance into dancefloor” moment
We often see couples start slow, then invite guests in as the track lifts — turning the first dance into a shared celebration rather than a spotlight moment.
🌙 “Live Forever” – Oasis
If there’s a song that defines indie romance for UK couples, this is it.
“Live Forever” is emotional without being cheesy, nostalgic without feeling dated, and — crucially — it works beautifully as a live wedding first dance.
We see this chosen a lot by couples who want:
something meaningful
something British
something that feels like them
When played live, it lands quietly and intimately at first… then swells into one of those moments where the room just feels it.
It’s the kind of first dance that doesn’t need choreography or nerves — just two people, a song they’ve loved for years, and a room full of people rooting for them.
🌿 “Canter” – Gerry Cinnamon
A more alternative choice — and a brilliant one.
“Canter” is relaxed, heartfelt, and slightly off-kilter in the best way. It suits couples who want something:
understated
organic
genuinely them
It works beautifully in a live setting and feels more like a shared moment than a performance.
🎧 Popular Indie First Dance Songs That Work Beautifully
Not every perfect first dance needs to be over the top — some songs just work, lyrically, emotionally, and rhythmically.
These are some of the most commonly requested indie first dance songs we see couples choose — all of which we’ve performed live at real weddings, so we know they actually land with guests.
💬 “I Wanna Be Yours” – Arctic Monkeys
A modern indie favourite for a reason.Spoken-word lyrics, slow build, and deeply personal lines make this a great choice for couples who want something intimate and slightly unconventional.
Perfect if:
you want a quiet, emotional moment
you love Arctic Monkeys but want a softer, heartfelt first dance
💋 “Toothpaste Kisses” – The Maccabees
Gentle, warm, and nostalgic — ideal for couples who want a song that feels like a shared secret rather than a performance.
It works especially well for:
relaxed evening first dances
smaller weddings
couples who value atmosphere over theatrics
🌍 “Take Over The World” – Courteeners
A huge favourite with northern couples — and one of the most requested indie first dance songs we hear.
Romantic, hopeful, and full of meaning without being overly polished. It’s often chosen by couples who want something heartfelt but still recognisably them.
This one also transitions beautifully into a fuller dancefloor moment later in the night.
🌙 More Indie First Dance Favourites
We also see couples choosing these songs time and again for their first dance:
“Only Love” – Ben Howard
“First Day of My Life” – Bright Eyes
“Ho Hey” – The Lumineers
“Chasing Cars” – Snow Patrol
“This Must Be The Place” – Talking Heads
Every one of these works beautifully live — creating the kind of intimate, memorable first dance moments couples rave about.🎸 Why Indie First Dances Work So Well Live
Indie songs thrive on:
emotion
dynamics
authenticity
That’s why they translate so well to a live wedding band setting.
We regularly perform these songs at real weddings across Yorkshire, Leeds, Manchester, Sheffield and beyond — tailoring each one to the couple, the room, and the moment.
If you want your first dance to feel personal (not rehearsed, not awkward, not forced), live indie covers are hard to beat.
💡 Planning Your Wedding Music Timeline
Not sure where your first dance fits into the night?
We’ve put together a full guide covering:
ceremony music
drinks reception
first dance
party sets
end-of-night moments
🎶 Want This Moment Live at Your Wedding?
Every song above has been performed live by us at real weddings — no studio tricks, no awkward edits, just proper moments.
If you’re planning your wedding and want an indie-leaning first dance that actually feels like you:
Comments