40 80s Wedding Songs, from Endless Love to Love Shack

What are the best 80s wedding songs?

For the first dance, "Endless Love" by Diana Ross and Lionel Richie and "Lady in Red" by Chris de Burgh are the classic 80s choices, and "(I've Had) The Time of My Life" from Dirty Dancing is the favorite for a showstopping dance. For the party, "Love Shack", "Celebration" and "Livin' on a Prayer" never fail.

80s first dance songs

1. "Endless Love", Diana Ross and Lionel Richie: the biggest wedding duet of the decade.
2. "Lady in Red", Chris de Burgh: a slow dance classic.
3. "Up Where We Belong", Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes: from An Officer and a Gentleman.
4. "Glory of Love", Peter Cetera: from The Karate Kid Part II.
5. "Eternal Flame", The Bangles: soft and sincere.
6. "Open Arms", Journey: the ballad every 80s couple knows.
7. "Faithfully", Journey: about love that lasts through time apart.
8. "Heaven", Bryan Adams: a slow dance favorite.
9. "I Want to Know What Love Is", Foreigner: big and emotional.
10. "Truly", Lionel Richie: a gentle piano ballad.
11. "Take My Breath Away", Berlin: the love theme from Top Gun.
12. "In Your Eyes", Peter Gabriel: the boombox song from Say Anything.
13. "Waiting for a Girl Like You", Foreigner: about finally finding the one.
14. "Have I Told You Lately", Van Morrison: a 1989 love song later covered by Rod Stewart.
15. "Lost in Your Eyes", Debbie Gibson: a sweet late 80s ballad.

80s country wedding songs

16. "Islands in the Stream", Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton: the feel-good duet.
17. "Forever and Ever, Amen", Randy Travis: a promise of lifelong love.
18. "Through the Years", Kenny Rogers: perfect for the anniversary dance.

80s party songs for the reception

19. "Celebration", Kool and the Gang: the ultimate wedding party song.
20. "Love Shack", The B-52's: brings the whole room in.
21. "Billie Jean", Michael Jackson: the moonwalk moment.
22. "Livin' on a Prayer", Bon Jovi: everyone shouts the chorus.
23. "Girls Just Want to Have Fun", Cyndi Lauper: for the bridesmaids.
24. "Footloose", Kenny Loggins: pure 80s energy.
25. "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go", Wham!: bright and bouncy.
26. "I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)", Whitney Houston: a dance floor must.
27. "Walking on Sunshine", Katrina and the Waves: pure joy.
28. "Come On Eileen", Dexys Midnight Runners: the tempo change gets everyone moving.
29. "You Shook Me All Night Long", AC/DC: the rock fans' favorite.
30. "Take On Me", a-ha: everyone tries the high note.
31. "It Takes Two", Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock: a fitting title for the couple.
32. "Pour Some Sugar on Me", Def Leppard: hair metal at its best.

80s songs for the wedding party entrance

33. "The Final Countdown", Europe: an over-the-top grand entrance.
34. "Eye of the Tiger", Survivor: the groomsmen favorite.
35. "Holding Out for a Hero", Bonnie Tyler: a dramatic entrance for the couple.
36. "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now", Starship: from the film Mannequin.

80s songs for the last dance

37. "(I've Had) The Time of My Life", Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes: try the Dirty Dancing lift.
38. "Don't Stop Believin'", Journey: the late-night singalong.
39. "Time After Time", Cyndi Lauper: a promise to always be there.
40. "Forever Young", Alphaville: a bittersweet closer.

How to plan an 80s-themed wedding playlist

80s wedding songs work for every generation: parents remember these songs from their own weddings, and younger guests know them from movies and TV. Mix the ballads and the party songs so the energy never drops, and play "Celebration" right after the first dance to open the floor. For a full 80s theme, add neon details, a photo booth with big sunglasses and a cake-cutting song like "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go".

80s songs for the cake cutting and bouquet toss

For the cake cutting, "Pour Some Sugar on Me" is the obvious pun and "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" keeps it light. For the bouquet toss, "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" and "Holding Out for a Hero" get the single guests to the floor, and "Another One Bites the Dust" by Queen is a cheeky pick for the garter toss. See our cake cutting songs and bouquet toss songs for more.

80s songs for the parent dances

For the parent dances, "Wind Beneath My Wings" by Bette Midler and "Through the Years" by Kenny Rogers are popular 80s picks. For more, see our father-daughter dance songs and mother-son dance songs.

More wedding songs by decade and style

For more ideas, see our 90s wedding songs, wedding dance songs, first dance songs, rock wedding songs, songs about weddings and 80s love songs.

A song about the two of you

For a couple who grew up on 80s music, a personalized song in a power ballad or synth-pop style can tell your love story with your names in the chorus. Play it as a surprise first dance or during the reception. Choose a pop or rock style for a big, soaring sound that matches the rest of your 80s playlist, and your guests may think it is a lost hit from the decade.

How to create a wedding song

1. Choose a style from 14 genres: pop, rock, R&B and more.
2. Add both your names.
3. Share three moments from your story together.
4. Review the lyrics and edit or regenerate them for free before any music is made.
5. Listen to 4 free 45-second previews and choose your favorite.

The full 3 to 4 minute song costs $24.99, or $29.99 for Premium with four full versions and editable lyrics. You get the MP3, a gift page and the lyrics as a PDF.

Make your wedding sound like you: create a song and hear four previews for free.