81 Wedding Songs from the '80s to Blast on Your Big Day

Looking for wedding songs from the '80s to play during your special day? Big hair, excessive outfits, nonstop dancing, showy makeup…it's totally possible that the '80s were just one big wedding. Okay, okay, maybe not—but they sure knew how to make the best wedding songs to light up just about every dance floor. Seriously, from chic black-tie ballroom affairs to farmhouse unions and just about every wedding style in between, the 1980s knew what they were doing.

It's a fact: Wedding guests just can't resist the siren song of synth when they're a champagne or two deep. So whether you're a true '80s baby and want to strut down the aisle to Billy Idol, or you're just scheming on the top wedding tracks to get that dance floor packed once dinner wraps, ask your wedding DJ to add this list of processional songs, cocktail hour jams and reception bops to your playlist. If you plan to hire a wedding band, make sure to tell them about your special requests ahead of time so they have plenty of time to put together your '80s setlist.

Wedding Songs from the '80s in this Story:

Editor's Choice | Pop | Rock | Soul | Slow

Bonus: Listen to our picks with The Knot's Wedding Songs From The '80s playlist on Spotify.

Best 1980s Wedding Songs: Editor's Choice

Whether played by talented wedding musicians or a wedding DJ, these are The Knot's top 15 picks when it comes to wedding songs from the '80s.

• "Take On Me," a-ha
• "I Wanna Dance with Somebody," Whitney Houston
• "Let's Dance," David Bowie
• "Kiss," Prince
• "Sweet Child O' Mine," Guns N' Roses
• "Don't Stop Believin'," Journey
• "All Night Long," Lionel Richie
• "Let's Hear It for the Boy," Deniece Williams
• "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic," The Police
• "Walking on Sunshine," Katrina and the Waves
• "The Look of Love," ABC
• "Under Pressure," Queen & David Bowie
• "Private Eyes," Hall & Oates
• "Don't Stop the Music," Yarbrough & Peoples
• "Islands in the Stream," Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers

Pop Wedding Songs from the '80s

Looking to get down 'n' dirty on the dance floor? You can't go wrong with these upbeat pop songs from the '80s—especially if they're played live by a wedding band.

• "Time After Time," Cyndi Lauper
• "Faith," George Michael
• "Never Gonna Give You Up," Rick Astley
• "Like a Prayer," Madonna
• "The Way You Make Me Feel," Michael Jackson
• "Together Forever," Rick Astley
• "Physical," Olivia Newton-John
• "Into the Groove," Madonna
• "Higher Love," Steve Winwood
• "Don't Dream It's Over," Crowded House
• "Girls Just Want to Have Fun," Cyndi Lauper
• "How Will I Know," Whitney Houston
• "True Colors," Cyndi Lauper
• "I Can't Wait," Nu Shooz
• "Celebration," Kool & The Gang
• "You Make My Dreams," Hall & Oates
• "She Drives Me Crazy," Fine Young Cannibals
• "Let's Go Crazy," Prince
• "Together Forever," Rick Astley

Rock Wedding Songs from the '80s

From glam metal to classic rock, these '80s wedding songs will hit all the right notes. They'll probably make the most sense after the ceremony, so go ahead and add them to your list of reception songs.

• "Kickstart My Heart," Mötley Crüe
• "Africa," Toto
• "Footloose," Kenny Loggins
• "With or Without You," U2
• "Summer of '69," Bryan Adams
• "Open Arms," Journey
• "Jump," Van Halen
• "Sharp Dressed Man," ZZ Top
• "I'm Still Standing," Elton John
• "Dr. Feelgood," Mötley Crüe
• "Livin' on a Prayer," Bon Jovi
• "Take It on the Run," REO Speedwagon
• "Hold Me Now," Thompson Twins
• "Head Over Heels," Tears for Fears
• "Let My Love Open the Door," Pete Townshend
• "The One I Love," R.E.M.

Soul Wedding Songs from the '80s

If you already have a few soul wedding songs from the '70s, then naturally, you'll want a few from the '80s to round out your playlist. Whether you use them during your first dance or as your cocktail hour music as guests arrive, you really can't go wrong with these tracks.

• "Celebration," Kool & The Gang
• "I Just Called to Say I Love You," Stevie Wonder
• "Purple Rain," Prince
• "We Belong," Pat Benatar
• "The Best," Tina Turner
• "Saving All My Love for You," Whitney Houston
• "Sweet Love," Anita Baker
• "A Groovy Kind of Love," Phil Collins
• "Heaven," Bryan Adams
• "Love T.K.O," Teddy Pendergrass
• "Always," Atlantic Starr
• "Tender Love," Force MD's
• "It's Raining Men," The Weather Girls

Slow Wedding Songs from the '80s

Looking for 1980s wedding songs to slow dance to? If you appreciate that perfect level of sap and sentimentality that '80s love ballads provide, have a listen to these sweet tunes.

• "Faithfully," Journey
• "Take My Breath Away," Berlin
• "Eternal Flame," The Bangles
• "Endless Love," Diana Ross & Lionel Richie
• "Here I Go Again," Whitesnake
• "Heaven," Bryan Adams
• "True," Spandau Ballet
• "Up Where We Belong," Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes
• "Careless Whisper," George Michael
• "Hold On to the Nights," Richard Marx
• "Total Eclipse of the Heart" Bonnie Tyler
• "Glory of Love," Peter Cetera
• "I Want to Know What Love Is," Foreigner
• "Suddenly," Billy Ocean
• "A Groovy Kind of Love," Phil Collins
• "Tender Love," Force MD's
• "We Belong," Pat Benatar
• "Nothing's Gonna Change My Love for You," George Benson

Additional reporting by Lauren Rodrigue.