:max_bytes(200000):strip_icc()/EJ-4901-2e0d36fceca8439fb9947fe754afc942.jpg)
Photo by Mary Mec Photography
You know that moment during a wedding reception when the bandleader or DJ asks all couples who have been married (or dating) for a certain number of years to hit the dance floor? That's called the anniversary dance, and it's one of the sweetest traditions around. Usually, once all the couples start dancing, the DJ will ask those who've been together for five years or less to leave the dance floor first, then couples of 10 years or less, and so on, until the longest-wed couple is left dancing with the newlyweds. As the two embark on the first day of their marriage, many guests have been together for 20, 30, and even 40 years or more, and that's definitely something worth celebrating! If you want to include this lovely custom during your reception, you should pick the song you want to play for that moment in advance.
Choose an anniversary dance song based on the age group of your guests. A classic by The Beatles or Frank Sinatra is optimal if you have lots of grandparents, aunts, and uncles in attendance; if your crowd is mostly newly married couples, a modern indie love song makes a great choice.
Any tune with a message of everlasting love is a good selection. We're big fans of Paul Simon's "Still Crazy After All These Years" and Billie Holliday's "As Time Goes By." Even better? Songs that look forward to even more years of happiness, like Al Green's "Let's Stay Together." Chances are, you've already considered one of these for your first dance song, so why not get a chance to play two songs that speak to you?
Scroll through our 65 favorite anniversary dance songs and get ready for the emotional moment when all those happy couples hit the dance floor.