Gen Z Wedding Etiquette: How the Next Generation is Shaking Up the Rules in 2025
Wedding season is officially upon us, with happy couples everywhere tying the knot. With the eldest Gen Zers reaching marrying age, we decided to dig into how Gen Z might be shaking up wedding etiquette like they’ve shaken up so many other rules. And as it stands? This generation definitely refreshing the romantic ceremony.
In 2025, Gen Z wedding etiquette is all about personalization, inclusivity, and practicality. From digital invitations to scaled-down guest lists, this generation is redefining how they celebrate love.
Let’s dive into how Gen Z wedding etiquette is reshaping many couples’ big days and what wedding guests and the newly engaged can expect.
Obligatory Invites? Let’s throw them away
Gone are the days of inviting your great aunt you haven’t seen since you were two or your cousin that you’ve never spoken with simply because it’s ‘expected.’ According to our recent survey of our Youthtellers (ages 15-27), Gen Z wedding etiquette is prioritizing cost-effectiveness and authenticity in who you invite. When asked about old-school wedding rules they want to kick to the curb, one 27 Y/O Youthteller from Atlanta quickly said, “The ‘You Must Invite Everyone in Your Family’ rule! I would say no to that. It’s your day, your guest list.”
This shift also means that high school friends or internet friends might make the cut over distant relatives if you stay in more perpetual contact with them. In fact, 11% of the Gen Z respondents told us they’d been invited to a wedding of an internet friend.
The Destination Wedding. In or Out?
Traveling for weddings isn’t uncommon, but it can certainly get expensive. The cost of this is something Gen Z is hyper-aware of. While 54% say they’re willing to go anywhere for close friends or family, Gen Z wedding etiquette also respects the financial realities and limitations associated with destination weddings. For many (40%), if they’re attending a destination wedding, their gifts will be smaller, or something as simple as their presence at the wedding in general, if they’re paying for the travel.
When it comes to what they’re willing to spend to attend a wedding, the budgets vary:
40.5% are comfortable spending $300–$500 total
29.7% would spend $100–$300
Only 13.5% are willing to spend $500+
How Gen Z Wedding Etiquette is Transforming Gift-Giving
One of the biggest shifts when it comes to Gen Z wedding etiquette? Their take on gift-giving. Instead of traditional registries, Gen Z has decided to take on more modern and flexible gifting practices. While 43% still prefer a registry, a growing number also said they preferred cold, hard cash.
One Youthteller from Philadelphia summed it up by saying, “I’d prefer money instead of a gift. Everyone is struggling, and wedding costs are expensive.”
Inclusivity and Personal Touches are the Priority
Gen Z wedding etiquette isn’t all financially focused shifts, though; many of the swaps have an underlying focus and hope for deeper inclusivity and authenticity. Gone are rigid, gender-separated bridal parties or formal ceremonies in churches. One 21 Y/O told us her plan to ditch the religious undertone when she does get married, “I don’t want my wedding to be officiated by someone religious. I think it should be a family member or friend. I love when it’s someone the couple is close with.”
From Destination Dreams to Backyard Ceremonies
And when it comes down to the wedding Gen Zers envision for themselves, the one common theme is the importance of authenticity. Here’s some data on what they’re dreaming of:
37.8% want a backyard or small ceremony
18.9% love a destination wedding
16.2% prefer city hall ceremonies + dinner
16.2% still want a big, traditional wedding
This embrace of smaller, more personal ceremonies highlights how Gen Z wedding etiquette has shifted from wanting a grand spectacle to intimate connections. But part of it is certainly a cost-saving measure…or as Gen Z might note, a recession indicator?
It’s Time to Rethink the Dress Code + Gender Norms
One of the biggest shifts we saw when it came to Gen Z’s wedding etiquette is the loosening of the dress code. As one 23 Y/O from Texas said, “I think weddings could be a little more informal for the dress code, honestly. Gowns can be really expensive, so having a more casual vibe could help with the cost for guests.”
Plus, as previously mentioned, Gen Z is ditching gender separation in wedding parties, with many of our Youthtellers saying they wanted to include all of their friends. Couples are mixing it up now, wanting everyone to be included; whether that’s lifelong friends or siblings, get ready to see co-ed wedding parties.
So what does Gen Z Wedding Etiquette Mean for Everyone Involved?
At its core, these Gen Z wedding etiquette shifts have a focus on prioritizing what truly matters to the couple over what is culturally expected. Gone are the days of couples making sacrifices on their big day. In its place is the highlight of meaningful connections, inclusivity, and authenticity. This generation isn’t rewriting the rules to make a statement, they're rewriting them because they want these events to feel genuine, accessible, and fun.
In 2025, weddings are becoming less about outdated traditions and more about heartfelt celebrations that reflect who the couple is. And that’s a rule everyone can toast to.