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05 Oct 2025

Hospital Radio: The perfect Torbay wedding

Following on from last week's wedding article, Paul Harding has done his research on what really makes the perfect wedding

Hospital Radio: The perfect Torbay wedding

Image by Jennifer from Pixabay

After last week when I praised a wedding venue that was out of this area I thought what I am doing?

Torbay is a great place for a wedding, there are so many fabulous locations and venues which can host the perfect nuptials. We have some of the most stunning backdrops should you wish to get married by the sea, why would you want to or need to go up country.

You can hardly ignore the beauty of Cockington Court or Torre Abbey and it’s Spanish Barn. Lupton House at Brixham is establishing itself, the list is long. Now this selection is far from comprehensive and apologies to the many venues that I have not considered or did not know about. Let me know if you think I’ve missed a cracking location. 

There were comments about my choices for the song for a first dance and I have researched the subject extensively. Different couples will obviously have songs that mean different things. A song that holds a special place in your heart is not searched for like choosing a car or a holiday destination, it seeps into your consciousness at that special moment and means something that makes your senses tingle every time you hear it.

Many couples choose songs that reflect personal memories—like the tune playing when they first met or said, “I love you.” Others go for crowd-pleasers that set a romantic tone and are easy to sway to.

Anyway, I thought I would tell you the results of my research. Here are some of the most popular wedding first dance songs. Let’s start with Lover by Taylor Swift. Now 2024 was her year! The Eras tour (and her romance with Travis Kelce, he plays American Football) captivated the world, and it looks like she's taken over in the world of weddings too. 'Lover' was probably the most popular choice in the UK when it came to first dance songs.

Fancy something a little more traditional why not pick Can’t Help Falling in Love - Elvis Presley. It's a timeless classic, and perfect for a slow and sentimental first dance that everyone will recognise. With a line like  "Take my hand, take my whole life too, for I can't help falling in love with you," you would be onto a winner.

Now Ed Sheeran has a new album out but his 2017 Perfect has become a staple of the wedding dance floor. This modern love song celebrates finding the one and features loving imagery that feels just right for the perfect wedding day.

Now everyone loves country music these day and the undisputed queen of that genre is Shania Twain (okay maybe it’s  Dolly Parton) Her song You're Still the One is right up there in the top 10 of first dance songs list. This song rejoices couples who have overcome challenges to be together. It is a song that tugs at the heart strings that makes it the perfect choice.

One final suggestion, a song that has been given a royal seal of approval, it is the song that Kate Middleton and Prince William shared their first dance to. Yes Elton John’s 1971 classic, Your Song hits the right spot. An interesting fact about this song, not wedding related is that it was first released by American rock band Three Dog Night in early 1970, albeit only as an album track.

Of course it’s not just about the first dance, here at Torbay Hospital radio we get asked for all sorts of music and advice about what would be suitable to celebrate that special day. The list is endless, here's a breakdown of when music is typically used and for what.

There is the music as the wedding party enters, culminating in the bride’s entrance, more music during the ceremony, music as the happy couple leave the ceremony. Who would have thought so much was needed.

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