Can a violinist play our first dance live?
Yes. Jared plays the song you chose for your first dance live on electric violin, with the full band behind him on a backing track.
Yes. Jared plays your chosen first dance song live on electric violin over a professional backing track, so you hear the whole band behind the violin. Pick it from the song list in your BookLive client portal. If it isn't on the list, 3 custom songs are included, then $25 each.
How a live first dance works
- Choose your song. In your BookLive client portal, pick your first dance from the song list. It has a First dance filter, so you can see the songs tagged for this moment.
- Ask for one that's missing. If your song isn't there, request it in the same portal. 3 custom songs are included with every booking, then $25 each.
- Set the timing. Song picks are due about two weeks before the wedding. Once your timeline is set, we walk through it on a Zoom call, and Jared coordinates the cue with your planner and DJ.
- Take the floor. Jared plays your song live, with the backing track filling in the band. Because the violin carries the melody, songs with explicit lyrics work fine too.
First dance songs on the list
These are all in the Extreme Strings library and tagged for first dances:
At Last (Etta James), Can't Help Falling in Love, A Thousand Years (Christina Perri), Die with a Smile (Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga), Everything (Michael Bublé), Speechless (Dan + Shay), Say You Won't Let Go (James Arthur), Make You Feel My Love (Bob Dylan / Adele) and Turning Page (Sleeping at Last).
Want something with more bounce? Paper Rings (Taylor Swift) and Meant to Be (Florida Georgia Line) are on the list too. Your song doesn't have to be a ballad; it just has to be yours.
Hear the sound
Here is Jared playing “All of Me” by John Legend as a ceremony prelude at Dunafon Castle in Idledale. Your first dance gets the same live violin over a full backing track.
Couples on their big moments
★★★★★“He was responsive, timely, and really brought our ceremony and first dance to the next level. The first thing our guests noticed was the nice touch the violin brought.”
★★★★★“our guests loved it and I got chills hearing the violin playing to my husband to be!”
★★★★★“We had several Zoom meetings before the wedding to go over the playlist and details, which made everything feel very organized and stress-free. He knows an incredible amount of songs, and the ones he didn't know, he practiced especially for our wedding!”
Adding a first dance to your booking
The first dance happens at the reception, so book music for that part of the evening. Most couples book the ceremony and cocktail hour; adding reception time covers the first dance, and afterward the violin can play along with your DJ for big moments on the dance floor.
Jared has played weddings for over a decade and brings his own professional sound system, so your song sounds full whether you dance in a ballroom or under a tent.
First dance questions
Can you play a first dance song that isn't on your list?
Yes. Request it in your BookLive client portal. 3 custom songs are included with every booking, then $25 each.
Will it sound like the real song?
Jared plays the melody live on violin over a professional backing track, so you hear the full band behind him, just without the vocals.
Our song has explicit lyrics. Is that a problem?
No. The violin plays the melody, so nobody hears the words.
When do we need to pick our first dance song?
Song picks are due about two weeks before the wedding.
Can you keep playing with our DJ after the first dance?
Yes. The violin can pop in over your DJ's set for big moments on the dance floor, then step back out.