The Most Romantic 80s Wedding Songs For Your Big Day

The 80s were the golden years of romance. The music of that era is among some of the most memorable and popular of all time!

The lyrics, mood, and groove of 80s love songs made the decade simply epic, and to this very day, they are popular choices when collating a wedding music playlist! Whether you’re looking for first dance songs, upbeat music to set a party mood, or ballads for slow dances, we’ve got you covered.

Read on to find out which songs Wedding Pioneer dubbed the most romantic 80s wedding songs.

80s Wedding Songs
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Key Takeaways

  • The 1980s produced some of the most romantic and memorable love songs, perfect for setting the mood at weddings.
  • Wedding Pioneer highlights a mix of upbeat and soulful tracks, including classics like “Your Song” by Elton John and “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” by Whitney Houston, ideal for first dances and reception playlists.
  • The 80s hits on this list encompass themes of love, commitment, and celebration, resonating with couples on their special day and enhancing the overall wedding experience.

At a Glance: The Top 10 Best 80s Wedding Songs

  • “Your Song” – Elton John
  • “How Deep Is Your Love” – The Bee Gees
  • I Wanna Dance With Somebody” – Whitney Houston
  • “Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do)” – Christopher Cross
  • “The Way You Make Me Feel” – Michael Jackson
  • “Crazy for You” – Madonna
  • “Stay” – Maurice Williams & The Zodiacs
  • “Woman” – John Lennon
  • “You’re the Inspiration” – Chicago
  • “Glory of Love” – Peter Cetera

A Full List of the Best 80s Wedding Songs

“Your Song” – Elton John

Put this absolute classic on your list of first dance song ideas. Imagine you and your love in the middle of the dance floor, swaying to the music as Elton John croons, “And you can tell everybody this is your song. It may be quite simple, but now that it’s done, I hope you don’t mind that I put down in words how wonderful life is while you’re in the world.”

“How Deep Is Your Love” – The Bee Gees

Wedding Pioneer’s list of our favorite 1980s wedding songs would be incomplete without this track from the Bee Gees. “How Deep Is Your Love” is one of the era’s most popular songs, and you bet it still resonates!

Read these lyrics and tell us it isn’t a beautiful song (spoiler: you can’t!). “I believe in you. You know the door to my very soul. You’re the light in my deepest, darkest hour. You’re my savior when I fall. And you may not think I care for you when you know down inside that I really do. And it’s me you need to show how deep is your love?”

“I Wanna Dance With Somebody” – Whitney Houston

The late great Whitney Houston sang every word from the depths of her soul, and this song was no exception. Since the New Jersey-born artist sings about wanting to cut a rug with someone who loves her — “I wanna dance with somebody, with somebody who loves me.” — it’s only fitting that you and your partner make this one of the upbeat dance songs you play during the reception and boogie.

“Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do)” – Christopher Cross

This, the theme of the 1981 romantic comedy film Arthur, is a lighthearted ditty that would be especially meaningful for two New Yorkers who fell in love. The pop song is also a lovely reminder that “the best that you can do is fall in love.”

“The Way You Make Me Feel” – Michael Jackson

Almost any track by the King of Pop would make your wedding guests pull out their dancing shoes at the reception, but “The Way You Make Me Feel” is, in our opinion, the most perfect choice for this occasion.

Michael singing, “I never felt so in love before. Just promise, baby, you’ll love me forevermore. I swear, I’m keeping you satisfied cause you’re the one for me,” will get everyone on their feet while retaining the romantic vibes.

“Crazy for You” – Madonna

This Madonna hit is known as one of the greatest ballads of the 80s, and it’s certainly an awesome song for a first dance of the present day. Hold each other tight and soak in the lyrics: “I never wanted anyone like this. It’s all brand new. You’ll feel it in my kiss — I’m crazy for you.”

“Stay” – Maurice Williams & The Zodiacs

This song made the list because it recalls all the fun of dating, when spending time together was everything, leaving at the end of the night was inevitable, and staying for a few moments more was a thrill! It’s a sweet way to celebrate where you and your love started. And these words, “Won’t you place your sweet lips to mine? Won’t you say you love me all the time?” — how sweet are those?

“Woman” – John Lennon

If you’re familiar with John Lennon, you know he sang songs that felt like everyday conversations. Occasionally, he’d throw in profound lyrics like these: “Hold me close to your heart. However distant, don’t keep us apart. After all, it is written in the stars.” It’s an ode to his wife, Yoko Ono, but it can be an ode to your love, too.

“You’re the Inspiration” – Chicago

You’ve probably heard Chicago’s “You’re the Inspiration” during a ceremony or reception. Maybe a wedding band was covering it, or perhaps the DJ was playing the original track. Either way, we’re willing to bet it was part of the day somehow. That’s because Peter Cetera’s mellow voice in this song says everything a couple could want to say to each other on their wedding day.

A few of the lyrics are, “You’re the meaning in my life. You’re the inspiration. You bring feeling to my life. You’re the inspiration.” Sure, it’s a little mushy, but you’re entitled to have a little mush at your wedding!

“Glory of Love” – Peter Cetera

Since we just brought up Peter Cetera, here’s another 80s song for weddings with his name attached to it. “Glory of Love” embodies the ultimate meaning of marriage and is a more than suitable soundtrack to your first dance. He sings, “We’ll live forever, knowing together that we did it all for the glory of love.”

“Time After Time” – Cyndi Lauper

“Time After Time” is known as one of the best love songs of the 80s, making it an excellent choice for lovers searching for tunes from that decade. A host of artists have covered it since its release, but no one sings, “If you fall, I will catch you. I’ll be waiting time after time,” quite like Cyndi!

“When a Man Loves a Woman” – Michael Bolton

Sometimes, a declaration of love is a whisper. Other times, it’s a bold admission at Michael Bolton’s highest volume. This crowd-pleaser certainly doesn’t hold back: “Can’t keep his mind on nothing else. He’d trade the world for the good thing he’s found.”

“The Time of My Life (From Dirty Dancing)” – Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes

Playing an iconic song from an iconic movie means your wedding is also iconic, especially if you bust out a Dirty Dancing lift in the middle of the dance floor. With words like these — “Now, I’ve had the time of my life. No, I never felt this way before. Yes, I swear, it’s the truth, and I owe it all to you,” — it’s a perfect choice for this occasion.

“Crazy Little Thing Called Love” – Queen

The strong beats of this Queen song will rock the night, while the lyrics say what we sometimes hesitate to: love is sometimes overwhelming! The song goes, “This thing called love, I just can’t handle it. This thing called love, I must get ’round to it. I ain’t ready. Crazy little thing called love.”

“Never Gonna Give You Up” – Rick Astley

Every reception playlist needs a few love songs with a party vibe, and this 80s hit fits the bill. Plus, it has a catchy melody everyone will be singing along to: “Never gonna give you up, never gonna let you down, never gonna run around and desert you. Never gonna make you cry, never gonna say goodbye, never gonna tell a lie and hurt you.” Few songs speak about commitment in clearer terms.

“Never Too Much” – Luther Vandross

Luther Vandross’s sweet, soulful voice is an 80s staple. In this song, he sings that there are so many ways to love someone, and, as the title suggests, it’s never too much: “You are my shinin’ star, my guiding light, my love fantasy. There’s not a minute, hour, day, or night that I don’t love you. You’re at the top of my list ’cause I’m always thinkin’ of you.”

“The Best” -Tina Turner

Every wedding playlist should have a song like this. Tina Turner’s “The Best” is electric and unforgettable, and lyrics like, “Give me a lifetime of promises and a world of dreams. Speak the language of love like you know what it means,” make it the ultimate anthem of love.

“Saving All My Love for You” – Whitney Houston

Ms. Houston gives us another beautiful ballad to play at weddings with “Saving All My Love for You.” Listen to her sing, “So I’m saving all my love for you,” over and over, and you’ll definitely want this Grammy award-winning hit as your first dance.

“Power of Love” – Laura Branigan

Laura Branigan’s “Power of Love” has been a favorite slow dance song since its release, and few people can resist singing along to the familiar lyrics: “I hold onto your body and feel each move you make. Your voice is warm and tender now, a love that I could not forsake.”

“Heaven” by Bryan Adams

While many use Bryan Adams’ “Heaven” as a first dance song, we think it’s also a fine choice for a recessional song. Make your way down the aisle together as newlyweds with Adams’ voice singing, “There was only you and me. We were young and wild and free. Now, nothing can take you away from me,” to seal the deal.

“More Than Words” – Extreme

It’s amazing how lovers don’t always need words to understand each other. Quite often, they already know, and that’s what the lyrics of “More Than Words” express: “Hold me close; don’t ever let me go. More than words is all I ever needed you to show. Then, you wouldn’t have to say that you love me ’cause I’d already know.”

“Up Where We Belong” – Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes

This inspirational song powerfully reminds us where to set our sights — on the future! It’s such an optimistic song fit for a wedding night, and the lyrics — “Some hang onto used to be, live their lives looking behind. All we have is here and now. All our lives, out there to find,” — are proof.

“Open Arms” -Journey

Open Arms” is one of Journey’s greatest hits. The song lyrics, “So here I am with open arms, hoping you’ll see what your love means to me,” show an honest attempt to get a relationship back on track. It worked for the band member, and its sincerity works for all of us to this day.

“Nothing’s Gonna Change My Love for You” – Glenn Madeiros

This is the kind of track that puts everyone in the mood for love. Glenn Madeiros’s lyrics — “Nothing’s gonna change my love for you. You ought to know by now how much I love you. One thing you can be sure of, I’ll never ask for more than your love,” — hit you right in the heart.

“No More Lonely Nights” – Paul McCartney

Love often comes with a bit of apprehension, doubt, and what-ifs. However, in this song, Paul McCartney sings that they all dissolve when lovers make the right promises. “No more lonely nights (never be another). No more lonely nights. You’re my guiding light. Day or night, I’m always there,” — sounds a lot like marriage, no?

“Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now” – Starship

We picture you playing this Starship track right after you seal your vows with a kiss. Echo the excitement of the moment with these lyrics in the background: “And we can build this dream together. Standing strong forever, nothing’s gonna stop us now.”

“(Everything I Do) I Do It for You” – Bryan Adams

Play this song anytime throughout the day — multiple times, if you’d like! Who’d ever get tired of hearing the words, “Look into my eyes. You will see what you mean to me. Search your heart, search your soul, and when you find me there, you’ll search no more.”

“Take on Me” – a-ha

This perky song never fails to get folks in the party mood, and it’s a nice contrast to all the slow, seriously romantic songs that play at weddings. Plus, these lyrics are just so sweet, “Today is another day to find you shyin’ away. Oh, I’ll be coming for your love, okay.”

“Uptown Girl” – Billy Joel

If you’re one of those couples who are interested in doing a choreographed dance at their reception, we recommend using Billy Joel’s “Uptown Girl.” It would be cute and memorable, and lyrics like, “She’ll see I’m not so tough just because I’m in love with an uptown girl,” are easy to choreograph fun motions to.

“What I Like About You” – The Romantics

This song has a strong beat and high energy, perfect for inviting everyone onto the dance floor. It’s a real celebration of love and good times. It has some really good lines, too — “What I like about you, you keep me warm at night. Never wanna let you go; know you make me feel alright.”

“Kiss” by Prince

A track like this is a welcome addition to the wedding party playlist! These two lines will be familiar to anyone on the dance floor: “You don’t have to be rich to be my girl. You don’t have to be cool to rule my world.”

“I Just Called to Say I Love You” – Stevie Wonder

Did you know this is Stevie Wonder’s bestselling single? It topped a record-breaking 19 charts. Plus, it brings all the sweet feels to a wedding reception with lyrics that say, “I just called to say I love you. I just called to say how much I care. I just called to say I love you. And I mean it from the bottom of my heart.”

“Say You, Say Me” – Lionel Richie

Marriage is the ultimate symbol of a couple’s togetherness, and Lionel Richie conveys that through this song: “Say you, say me, say it for always. Oh, that’s the way it should be.”

“Woman in Love” – Barbra Streisand

An intense track with deep meaning, Barbra Streisand’s “Woman in Love” has lyrics that just might make for a dreamy first dance, “With you, eternally mine. In love, there is no measure of time. We planned it all at the start that you and I live in each other’s hearts.”

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