Gen-Z wedded couples-to-be would rather have their pets at their weddings than their mum’s random friend’s husband, according to data on Brits’ preferences for their special day.
A survey by The Wedding Travel Company found a third of Gen-Z respondents wanted pets to be part of their wedding day and 61% were keen not to have to invite people they don’t know that well.
Compared to the results across all age groups, Gen-Z respondents were more likely to be ripping up the script of wedding traditions, including patriarchal practices like only men making speeches and dads giving their daughters away.
But while Gen-Z tended to think that some traditions were more outdated than people in other age groups did, they were more aligned with the average when it came to practices like the bouquet toss, leaving for your honeymoon straight after the wedding, and weddings in churches.
Of course, this is all under the assumption that the incoming marrying-age generation can afford to have a wedding at all.
In 2023, another national wedding survey found that the average cost of a marital shindig in the UK was £20,700 (yes, wedding dresses can cost upwards of £1,000).
The Wedding Travel Company’s research found that almost 90% of people thought this was unaffordable, and for Gen-Z respondents that figure was even higher.
This is hardly surprising, given the impact of unaffordable housing and the cost of living crisis on young people.
Indeed, 84% of Gen-Z said the cost of living crisis had impacted how much they anticipated being able to spend on a wedding.
Whether they splash out on a big party or opt for something more low-key, the survey found that around 41% of people considered photography the most essential ‘wedding service’.
If these trends are anything to go on, young, loved up couples looking to tie the knot one day are tending towards weddings that look rather different than they used to.
Registry office nuptials with the photographer and family dog as sole witnesses, anyone?
