Marriage has undergone a major transformation over the past century. Once driven by family expectations and tradition, it’s now more about celebrating personal love stories and shared values. Changing attitudes toward marriage, shifting gender roles, and modern family ideas have redefined what weddings mean today. As these views have changed, so has wedding planning. From baby boomers to Gen Z, each generation has distinct priorities and inspirations.
Baby Boomers
Baby boomers, born from 1946 to 1964, grew up in a time of post-WWII optimism and economic growth. This era shaped their belief in hard work and stability, with many achieving homeownership and education.
Their numbers and the timing of their birth have allowed boomers to significantly influence the economy. As of 2021, baby boomers comprise just 21% of the U.S. population and hold more than half of the nation’s wealth and a decent percentage of its power.
This influence is shaped by the core traits of baby boomers, many rooted in the American Dream. They adopted an ambitious mindset, striving for success through hard work and making family the foundation of a fulfilling life.
Attitude
Baby boomers hold a more traditional view of marriage and weddings, seeing them as societal milestones deeply rooted in religious and cultural expectations. Weddings often followed formal traditions with large gatherings and religious ceremonies. Over 80% of boomers married within their faith, reflecting their era’s norms. Cohabitation before marriage was rare, as living together before tying the knot carried social stigma.
Budget
When we look at how baby boomers approach wedding budgets, there are some clear differences between past and present generations. For many boomers, weddings were about celebrating love and upholding tradition and societal expectations — sometimes at a significant financial cost.
The DeBeers diamond ring campaign was a key influence on their wedding spending. DeBeers’ slogan, “A Diamond Is Forever,” linked diamonds with love, convincing a generation that a diamond engagement ring was essential for marriage. This campaign significantly increased the perceived necessity and cost of an engagement ring, setting a standard for future generations.
Many boomers favored grand, pricey weddings with elaborate gowns and extensive guest lists. Unlike some younger generations who take financial risks like credit card-funded weddings, they planned within their means. Business Insider notes boomers prioritized practical long-term investments, including wedding budgeting.
Generation X
Generation X, born between 1965 and 1980, grew up during major changes in society, the economy, and technology:
- Growing up in the 1970s and ’80s, Gen Xers became financially cautious during stagflation and recessions.
- With rising divorce rates and more working parents, many Gen Xers were left alone after school, fostering self-reliance early on.
- Gen X was the first to experience personal computers, cable TV, and the rise of MTV in 1981, which heavily influenced their pop culture-driven adolescence.
- They lived through the Cold War, its end, and social issues like the AIDS crisis and the War on Drugs, making them more skeptical and aware of global politics and societal inequities.
Unlike baby boomers, Gen Xers prioritize work-life balance and seek fulfillment beyond careers. They’ve encountered challenges like stagnant wages and student debt, becoming the first generation worse off than their parents. Yet, their adaptability and resilience help them thrive through change.
Attitude
Despite witnessing high divorce rates, Gen Xers tend to be more committed to avoiding divorce, likely due to their experiences growing up in single-parent or dual-income households. They often married earlier, in their mid-20s, compared to millennials, who delayed marriage to focus on education and careers.
While Gen X values stability, many also believe in cohabitation to prevent divorce, with 64% supporting it. Their approach contrasts with boomers’ higher divorce rates and millennials’ trend of postponing marriage.
Budget
Generation X takes a more practical approach to wedding costs than millennials and Gen Z. 30% of Gen Xers believe a wedding should cost between $5,000 and $10,000, with nearly the same number favoring budgets as low as $1,000 to $5,000. They focus on affordability, valuing financial stability over lavish, Instagram-worthy celebrations.
Millennials
Born between 1981 and 1996, millennials — or Generation Y — are often dubbed “digital natives” for being the inaugural cohort to come of age with the internet and smartphones. Their constant access to technology has made them highly tech-savvy, and they use it for communication, shopping, entertainment, and managing daily life.
Economically, millennials were shaped by the 2008 financial crisis, which delayed milestones like buying homes or starting families. This has made them more cautious with their finances compared to earlier generations.
Millennials are also known for their progressive social views, openness to equality, LGBTQ+ rights, and environmental concerns. They prioritize flexibility in work, remote options, and balancing career and personal life.
Budget
Economic challenges like inflation and rising living costs have significantly impacted millennials’ approach to wedding planning. Fortune highlights the high living costs and inflation have made traditional, lavish weddings feel increasingly out of reach for many in this generation.
Instead, millennials prioritize budget-friendly alternatives. For instance, elopements are on the rise as couples skip traditional, costly weddings for more intimate and impactful ones. Similarly, millennials prefer smaller weddings with fewer guests and simple décor, opting for personal, intimate settings over extravagant celebrations. Additionally, many choose cost-effective alternatives to diamond rings, such as tungsten carbide rings and wedding bands, which offer durability and style at a lower price.
Attitude
Millennials take a different approach to marriage and family life than previous generations. While Gen X and boomers tend to marry earlier, millennials are waiting until their 30s, often focusing on education, careers, and financial stability first. Millennials also tend to marry someone with a similar education level.
While millennials are less likely to follow traditional paths when it comes to marriage, they are still finding meaningful ways to incorporate family traditions into their lives. For instance, some couples include family heirlooms in their ceremonies, such as repurposing jewelry or using vintage wedding bands passed down through generations.
Generation Z
Generation Z, born between 1996 and 2010, is the first to grow up fully in the digital age. Raised with smartphones and social media, they are highly tech-savvy, using platforms like TikTok and Instagram for entertainment, activism, and self-expression.
They also value inclusivity and progressiveness. Growing up globally connected, they embrace diverse views and advocate for causes like gender equality, racial justice, and climate action. Shaped by economic uncertainty from the 2008 financial crisis and COVID-19, they prioritize job security and flexibility in their career choices.
Budget
According to a CNBC report, Gen Z couples are increasingly unhappy with wedding expenses. This generation prioritizes financial stability and avoids significant debt for a single celebration. A few ways they are trying to save money include:
- Micro-weddings: Micro-weddings have become a popular trend among Gen Z, allowing couples to focus on the experience without overspending. With fewer than 50 guests, these intimate gatherings help save on expenses like venues and catering while still creating meaningful and personal celebrations.
- Cutting out extras: Many Gen Z couples opt to eliminate traditional but expensive wedding elements like DJs or elaborate floral arrangements. Instead, they choose simple décor, create their own playlists, and find creative ways to reduce costs without sacrificing style.
- Affordable rings: Rather than splurging on expensive diamond rings, Gen Z couples are gravitating toward more affordable, durable alternatives like tungsten rings, which offer a sleek, modern look at a fraction of the price.
With these values in focus, Gen Z is revolutionizing the wedding industry while staying true to themselves.
Attitude
Generation Z is changing weddings by making them more personal, inclusive, and tech-savvy. They prefer smaller, intimate celebrations with close family and friends, choosing unique venues to create meaningful experiences rather than big, formal events.
They also break away from traditional gender roles, opting for mixed-gender wedding parties and ditching strict dress codes for more relaxed, authentic attire. Technology is a big part of their planning process, with Gen Z using online chats, QR codes, and social media like TikTok for wedding inspiration.
Gen Z continues to shape and redefine non-traditional weddings. Ultimately, with each new generation comes a fresh perspective, innovation, and evolution in celebrating love and commitment.
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