Hot and sultry summer weddings deserve first dance songs that fit the weather and the mood of summer love. The following are some of my favorite first dance songs for a laid-back summer wedding, preferably outside near a beautiful body of water.

Bob Marley - "Is This Love"

A beach or destination wedding just doesn't feel right without a little Bob Marley. The lyrics of "Is This Love" are both sweet and sexy.

I wanna love you and treat you right / I wanna love you every day and every night / We'll be together with a roof right over our heads / We'll share the shelter of my single bed

Norah Jones - Come Away with Me

There's something so sleepy and romantic about Norah Jones' "Come Away With Me." It reminds me of summer days spent lying in the grass with the one you love.

Come away with me and we'll kiss / On a mountaintop / Come away with me / And I'll never stop loving you

Beach House - Take Care

There's something about the rhythm of this song and the simple lyrics, "I'll take care of you, if you ask me to" that makes me feel all gooey inside. A bit non-traditional, "Take Care" is a great choice for the indie couple. 

Stand beside it, we can't hide the way it makes us glow / It's no good unless it grows, feel this burning love of mine

Jack Johnson - Do You Remember?

While "Better Together" is probably the more popular choice for a Jack Johnson wedding first dance song, I like "Do You Remember" for the couple who has been together for a long time and is finally tying the knot. 

I was crazy about you then and now / The craziest thing of all / Over ten years have gone by / And you're still mine

The Beach Boys - Wouldn't It Be Nice

You can almost never go wrong with The Beach Boys during a summer wedding. This song perfectly captures the longing that couples feel for each other as they patiently wait for their wedding day to arrive. 

Maybe if we think and wish and hope and pray it might come true / Baby then there wouldn't be a single thing we couldn't do / We could be married / And then we'd be happy

What is your favorite first dance song for laid-back summer weddings? Leave your thoughts in the comments below. If you'd like to get started with first dance lessons in Charlotte, tell me a little bit about your wedding on my Get Started page.