6 Classic Soap Weddings Turning 40 in 2026

1986 was a memorable year for soap weddings. Forty years later, we’re looking back at six stand-out trips down the aisle featuring iconic couples from General Hospital, The Young and the Restless, Days of Our Lives, One Life to Live and All My Children, including the romantic “I do’s”of GH supercouple Frisco and Felicia and Marlena’s vow renewal with back-from-the-dead Roman — who was really an impostor! — on DAYS.

Days of Our Lives’ Pete Jannings and Melissa Horton, and Maggie and Mickey Horton

Lovebirds Melissa Horton (Lisa Trusel) and Pete Jannings (Michael Leon) were planning their Valentine’s Day wedding when her divorced adoptive parents, Maggie (Suzanne Rogers) and Mickey Horton (John Clarke) reconciled and decided to take their third trip down the aisle. So, the duos decided to combine ceremonies, and both pairs said tender, “I do’s” at St. Luke’s Church.

The reception, held at Blondie’s, was one Chris Kositchek (Josh Taylor) would certainly never forget, as he caught both garters, while the bouquets were caught by his love interests, Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall) and Savannah Wilder (Shannon Tweed)!

Y&R’s Traci Abbott and Brad Carlton

In the spring, former wallflower Traci Abbott (Beth Maitland) tied the knot with studly Brad Carlton (Don Diamont) in her family home surrounded by candles and flowers. Jack (then-Terry Lester), who at the time was wanted on murder charges, sneaked in to the ceremony to wish his sister well. The attention surrounding Jack’s alleged crime meant that a throng of reporters were waiting outside the Abbott mansion, but Brad did his best to protect his bride before they headed off to Hawaii for their honeymoon.

Soap Opera Digest named Brad and Traci’s nuptials the Best Wedding of 1986 in its annual Best & Worst issue, noting, “By not attempting outlandish theatrics, the intimate family ceremony achieved warmth.”

GH’s Felicia Cummings and Frisco Jones

In June, supercouple Felicia Cummings (Kristina Wagner) and Frisco Jones (Jack Wagner) first said, “I do” in the living room of Bobbie Spencer’s (Jacklyn Zeman) brownstone, which their friends and family had transformed into a garden-like setting. in June. The bride wore an ecru lace gown reflecting her Aztec heritage and the policeman groom was decked out in his dress uniform, and once the ceremony was complete, the newlyweds strolled through an archway of policeman batons.

“We did it!” Frisco exulted. “We’re married!” He then treated his new wife to a live serenade of their special song, “Lady of My Heart.” In a major bit of foreshadowing, Duke Lavery (Ian Buchanan) and Anna Devane (Finola Hughes) caught the garter and bouquet, respectively. (They were married the following year.)

One Life to Live’s Tina Lord and Cord Roberts

Tina Lord (Andrea Evans) and Cord Roberts (John Loprieno), one of the most memorable opposites-attract duos in Llanview history, made it to the altar multiple times, but their first ceremony was a modest affair presided over by a justice of the peace in August. Cord presented Tina with a humble ring, and she beamed at her groom, “You might not believe this, but I don’t care about the diamond. I just love you!” They gazed into one another’s eyes while exchanging their traditional vows.

“That’s all the official stuff, Son,” the officiant winked to Cord when the ceremony was complete. “Kiss her!” “Yes, Sir,” replied Cord, sweeping his bride into a passionate embrace.

Days of Our Lives’ Marlena Evans and Roman Brady

Marlena was devastated by the presumed death of her husband, Roman Brady (originally played by Wayne Northrop). So when she discovered that the mysterious, amnesiac John Black (Drake Hogestyn) was really Roman, the joyfully reunited pair decided to renew their vows in August. (Years later, of course, the twosome would learn that “Roman” was really John.)

The wedding party included Roman’s daughter, flower girl Carrie Brady (Christie Clark), best man Abe Carver (James Reynolds), matron of honor Maggie and bridesmaid Kayla Brady (Mary Beth Evans), Roman’s sister. During the ceremony, Tamara Price (Marilyn McCoo) serenaded Roman and Marlena with “Up Where We Belong” as the groom tenderly wrapped his arms around his bride’s waist and flashbacks of their storied romance played. During her vows, Marlena beamed, “We’re more than lucky. We’re more than blessed. We’re twice blessed.”

All My Children’s Nina Cortlandt and Cliff Warner

When the time came for Cliff Warner (Peter Bergman) and Nina Cortlandt (Taylor Miller) to take their third trip down the aisle, the lovebirds opted to say their “I do’s” at the iconic Tavern on the Green in New York City’s Central Park at Christmastime. The bride and groom arrived at the sophisticated ceremony, which sported a black and white color palette, in a horse-drawn carriage. “Are you sure you want to do this?” Nina asked Cliff. “I have never been more sure of anything in my life,” he replied.

After Nina and Cliff were pronounced husband and wife by Reverend Finney, the newlyweds shared their first dance as their guests formed a circle around them. Best man Tom Cudahy (Richard Shoberg) delivered a heartfelt toast to the couple finally getting “the happy ending they deserve,” and their loved ones showered them with rose petals as they exited hand in hand.