20 Best 80s Wedding Songs - From First Dance to Party Bangers
The 80s! Arguably one of the most colourful and vibrant decades there has ever been, with some of the absolute best moments in music history.
Choosing the perfect songs for a wedding can feel like an impossible task, with so many styles and genres to choose from. Luckily, you’ve chosen music’s finest decade, with so many brilliant musicians and bands to choose from, you’ll have the time of your life!
We’ve compiled a cracking list of 80s bangers to inspire you, whether you’re looking for the smooth tones of George Michael’s ‘Careless Whisper’ or the undeniable classic that is Toto’s ‘Africa’, the 80s has got it all!
Along the way, we’ve included videos of these iconic tracks. These already epic songs are only made better when performed live by the UK's most popular 80s tribute bands for hire.
Some of our favourite 80s wedding bands in the UK are...
Let’s break it down a bit: when planning a wedding, there are big moments that require equally iconic soundtracks. We’ll go through each of these and give you our expert suggestions for the perfect 80s wedding song choice during the ceremony, first dance and wedding reception. For a broader, data-led pick across every decade and genre, see our guide to the 75 best wedding songs for 2026.
80s Wedding Entrance Songs
Undoubtedly, one of the most important parts of the wedding calls for the perfect song - start one of the most important days of your life the right way with one of these 80s songs!
1. Time After Time - Cyndi Lauper
Often cited as one of the ultimate classic 80s wedding songs, this track has remained a ceremony and first-dance favourite for decades.
2. Take My Breath Away - Berlin
3. Eternal Flame - The Bangles
Walking Down The Aisle to one of these 80s songs
With the serious bits over, it’s time to let loose! Let’s kick the party off with one of the 80s’ many upbeat tracks. Here are some of our favourite 80s songs for this moment of the wedding ceremony...
4. You Make My Dreams Come True - Hall & Oates
One of the catchiest 80s love songs ever recorded, and a guaranteed feel-good wedding moment.
5. Take On Me by A-ha
6. I’m So Excited - The Pointer Sisters
80s First Dance Songs
Now it’s time for the main event, the first dance! For your first boogie as newlyweds, you want a song that really captures the exciting moment. Take a look at the list below for our top 80s first dance picks...
7. Whitney Houston - I Wanna Dance With Somebody
8. Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now - Starship
A true 80s wedding classic, thanks to its lyrics about commitment and lifelong love.
9. Fleetwood Mac - Everywhere
10. You Can Call me Al - Paul Simon
80s Dancefloor Bangers
Getting guests to flock to the dancefloor can sometimes feel like a bit of a task, but with music from the 80s flooding in, we can guarantee the dancefloor will be packed all night long!
With so many excellent 80s dance classics to choose from, we don’t think you’ll need too much inspiration, but if you find yourself going blank, take a look at our list of favourites here...
11. We Built This City - Starship
12. Living On A Prayer - Bon Jovi
13. PYT - Michael Jackson
If you want more MJ inspiration, take a look at our full guide to Michael Jackson wedding songs.
14. Don’t Stop Believin’ - Journey
15. Jump - Van Halen
16. The Final Countdown - Europe
17. Toto - Africa
18. Karma Chameleon - Boy George
19. Cherish - Kool & the Gang (1985)
A beautiful romantic ballad that builds gently and pulls at the heartstrings. It’s a softer moment perfect for slower dances or just when you want something warm and emotional after a set of high-energy tracks.
20. Total Eclipse of the Heart - Bonnie Tyler (1983)
Epic, dramatic and unmistakably ’80s. This one gives your playlist a powerful peak moment when everyone feels the emotion. It works especially well just before things wind down or as a highlight in the evening.
Classic 80s Wedding Songs: Popular Questions Answered
If you're researching classic 80s wedding songs, you may have come across a few common questions while planning your playlist. Here are some quick answers to help narrow things down.
What was the number one wedding song of the 1980s?
While there’s no official ranking, Time After Time by Cyndi Lauper is widely regarded as one of the most popular wedding songs of the 1980s. Its lyrics and slow, romantic tempo made it a go-to choice for ceremonies and first dances throughout the decade.
What is the catchiest 80s love song?
Many couples point to You Make My Dreams (Come True) by Hall & Oates as one of the catchiest 80s love songs. It’s upbeat instantly recognisable, ideal for walking down the aisle or kicking off the celebrations.
These timeless tracks are just a small part of why classic 80s wedding songs remain so popular with couples today.
So there it is: your comprehensive guide to 80s wedding songs!
And if you're looking to hire an 80s tribute band, browse our best acts and take a further look at what they can offer.
These top-class bands will provide you with incredible entertainment for your big day, giving you and your guests memories to look back on in years to come.
