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.
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