How long should the first dance song be?

I'm only doing 1 or 2 minutes for our first dance.

That's not too long at all! My first dance song is 4 1/2 mins. That song is a special moment just for you and your FH so who cares how long it is!

I feel like it's a long time for me, only cause its a long time of people just watching us two dance up there; however, I think since you aren't doing the traditional father daughter dances you could probably pull it off. I do have to agree with Jess though, it's your night so if that's the song you want to dance too, and you want the whole song, go for it !!

If you are wanting to shorten it, you can always have it edited down! Most DJs will do this for you

I think it depends....will you just be slow dancing? Or will you have a choreographed dance? We went to a wedding where they used a song that was 4 minutes and all they did was go around in a waltzing circle the whole time with a few spins. It was super boring to watch.

Our first dance is a little over 3 minutes. Parent dances are 2 minutes.

It doesn't sound too long, but I think it is. Imagine yourself as a guest. Actually sit and time it. It's a long time to watch the couple just swaying back and forth.

You should do whatever makes you happy, as it is your day. However, you asked for opinions, and I think that's too long. Guests will get bored after about 2 minutes.

I'm asking my DJ for an abbreviated version of our song for this reason.

However long you want it to be! If it makes either of you uncomfortable though, a good DJ can make an edit that is shorter and no one will notice

Nope. I think its just fine And you should enjoy every moment

Yes, it is too long. It gets boring for the guests to just sit there for nearly 5 minutes. I would shorten it to around 2 minutes. We had our band leader invite everyone to join us after about 30 seconds which was a great way to open the dance floor.

I agree with those that said this is an awfully long time. Both for your guests and for yourself!
Have you tried dancing to this song yet? It might not seem like very long until you're forced to dance to it and then suddenly you realize just how long it is! Even before lessons and/or choreography, I'd recommend just dancing with your partner to the song in your home! This will give you a good idea of how long it feels.
I'd have it shortened or fade out anywhere after 2 minutes. Ultimately the decision is yours but as a guest I think I'd be antsy after 2 minutes, bored after 3, and internally begging it to be over after 4 minutes..

Our band went no longer than 100 seconds for all three of our dances.

I tried to stay within 3 mins for our first dance song - it’s a bit longer at 3:30 - I wanted to shorten it, but the part that I wanted to shorten was the instrument parts & FH is in a band so apparently it’s staying. Parents songs will be edited to 2 mins.

Our first dance song will be about 4 mins long to I said I do by Clint Black

I personally think that's too long, but ultimately it's your wedding. I'd recommend looking up youtube videos of first dances, watching without keeping an eye on the clock, and take note of the time elapsed when you think "ok...they've spun around enough and now it's getting lengthy". I'd guess that'll be well before 4 minutes.

I think that's too long. Mine is over 4 minutes too and I don't want to be up there dancing that long. We might cut it to 3 minutes. The dj can do that and fade it out nicely!

Ours is probably about 2 minutes; we cut some of the opening and closing chords to the song.