20 Indie First Dance Songs for Your Wedding
20 Indie First Dance Songs for Your Wedding
Great for fans of indie music or those looking for something different
By DJ Ben Boylan
Want a unique song for your first dance? An indie first dance song is perfect. With a wide age-range at weddings, most of your guests will be surprised by your choice. And if you are already a fan of indie music, even better.
Listen to an indie playlist on Spotify. Most of the songs are slow and moody. This makes them perfect for a slow dance. All of these songs are love songs. Some are a bit edgy. All of them will have your guests asking you "what song was that?" Check out these indie first dance songs!
Band of Horses - No One's Gonna Love You
2007
A great slow song with a steady beat. Later covered by Cee Lo Green. The end part is really nice.
Death Cab for Cutie - I Will Follow You Into the Dark
2006
Kind of a creepy message (?) but it sounds pretty. Loved by many indie rock fans. Death Cab's number one song.
Beck - True Love Will Find You in the End
2004
An artist that many will recognize. A folk song with a very appropriate message. There's a more popular version by Daniel Johnston.
Regina Spektor - Real Love
2007
Beautiful vocals over piano. A cover of an unreleased John Lennon song.
Cat Power - Sea of Love
2000
Originally recorded in 1959 by Phil Phillips. It's been covered at least a dozen times. Cat Power's beautiful version was featured in the 2007 film Juno.
Bright Eyes - First Day of My Life
2005
Minor hit in the UK and featured in many TV shows. I put it in my contemporary wedding songs playlist as well.
Wilco - You and I
2009
More upbeat than the other songs on this playlist. Wilco has a large cult following and this is off of one of their most popular albums. Recorded with Feist.
Feist - 1234
2007
Midtempo track that was a pretty big hit in 2007. You might have to actually dance a little bit to this one.
Iron and Wine - Such Great Heights
2006
Great vocal over guitar. Featured in the movie Garden State. Originally recorded by The Postal Service.
Lana Del Rey - Love
2017
Many of my couples love Lana Del Rey. This song perfectly nails the romantic moody vibe. Co-produced by Benny Blanco.
The Avett Brothers - I and Love and You
2009
A very popular song with my couples. Possibly because it says "Brooklyn" a dozen times and that's where most of them live. Produced by Rick Rubin.
Landon Pigg - Falling in Love at a Coffee Shop
2007
Nice chill love song.
The Lennings - You're the One That I Want
2011
Yes, this is an acoustic folk version of the song from Grease. Older guests will get a kick out of it.
Bon Iver - Holocene
2011
My couples love Bon Iver. These lyrics aren't very loving exactly, but will your guests understand them? A more appropriate choice than Skinny Love.
Jose Gonzalez - Heartbeats
2006
Beautiful vocal over acoustic classical guitar. Those who know the Knife's original synth pop version will enjoy it even more.
Iron and Wine - Flightless Bird, American Mouth
2007
Strange lyrics. I had a couple from China. They, (and all their guests), came to NYC just for the wedding. They had me choose all their songs. Before the wedding I played them a few songs for their first dance song. This was the only indie song I played. The bride loved it. The groom however didn't like the title. So they danced to Such Great Heights instead.
John Mayer - XO
2014
Admittedly, I never was the biggest fan of John Mayer but this is amazing. Just as good as Beyonce's original version.
Sufjan Stevens - To Be Alone with You
2004
Sweet sounding vocal over acoustic guitar. The lyrics are either about Jesus or being gay. Probably both. I will give you a discount if you choose this song.
The Weepies - Gotta Have You
2006
Nice indie folk song with a happy vibe. It also references different drinks in the chorus which is pretty appropriate for most weddings.
Maggie Rogers - Love You for a Long Time
2019
In the last year or two Maggie Rogers has been a favorite artist of my couples. This song is midtempo - not a slow song. You will have to dance. But it's cute and fun.
Indie first dance songs