Economic Realities: Gen Z and Millennial Couples Find Marriage Unaffordable

In the past, parents and in-laws often contributed to wedding expenses. Nowadays, with couples funding nearly half of the costs themselves, they are more mindful and intentional in their decision-making process.

Wedding planner Jason Rhee suggests that engaged couples have realistic conversations about their wedding vision, taking budget into account. They should prioritize what is truly important to them and allocate their funds accordingly.

“Save money on things that don’t matter as much to you,” advised Rhee. “For example, you can cut costs on the cake and invest in a dream photographer, a venue you love, or additional time at the bar.”

For example, Janet Counts and her husband decided to invest in quality food, an open bar, a DJ, a photographer, and a shuttle service for their guests, as well as Janet’s bridal gown.

However, they were more frugal in other aspects of their wedding. While the bride and her bridesmaids had fresh flower bouquets, the couple opted for artificial flowers purchased at a craft store for decorations and centerpieces.

If you’re unsure about your budget, Jason Rhee advises listing the elements you like and calculating a spending plan accordingly.

Rhee suggests that inviting fewer people to the wedding allows for more resources to be allocated to the event. Couples are becoming more selective in terms of who they want to share their special day with.

Janet Counts and her husband chose to have an intimate wedding and limited their guest list to 90 people. This allowed them to splurge on catering, which turned out to be the most expensive part of their wedding.

Couples should view the images they see on professional wedding sites as inspiration and ideas, rather than strict guidelines.

“Be open to understanding that styles and inspirations are there as suggested forms of ideas, but similar to everything else in your life you’re doing within a budget, you have to understand that there has to be some sort of flexibility,” said Rhee.

Some couples are embracing the concept of “something borrowed” and considering renting instead of buying, particularly for items like flowers, fine jewelry, and even bridal dresses.

“This next generation of brides is prioritizing experiences over possessions,” said Miriam Williams, co-founder of Atlanta bridal rental company Laine London. “It’s only natural that they’re rethinking what their wedding day might look like.”

Additionally, couples can explore vendors who are newer to the wedding industry, as they often offer lower rates.

“The reason they’re cheaper is because they’re newer, and the reason you’re paying more money for established vendors is because of their experience,” Rhee added.