Enough with extravagant weddings, Gen Z chooses sobriety Just like Charli XCX

In the new TV series by Lena Dunham, Too Much, a wedding takes place. It’s a surprise wedding — a little rushed, but full of joy. The bride wears a vintage t-shirt over a short dress with tulle and lace, for a civil ceremony surrounded by friends and family. Similarly, also in London and with impeccable timing, Charli XCX recently married her partner, George Daniels, in a low-key ceremony that followed a similar formula, wearing a Vivienne Westwood mini-dress. The photos, anticlimactic and underwhelming, quickly spread across social media, and fans appreciated the simplicity, perhaps even taking inspiration. As wedding season approaches, it seems many are growing tired of grand, old-fashioned celebrations that take days of preparation and cost a fortune for both couples and guests.

According to Aura Print, searches for local registry office weddings have risen by over 5000% in the past 30 days, largely driven by interest in Charli XCX’s Hackney Town Hall wedding. Pinterest’s annual wedding trends report confirms that Gen Z is behind the trend, opting for chic but intimate quiet weddings. Every month, around 62,000 people search online for their nearest registry office, and a recent survey shows that 29% of couples now choose smaller, more private ceremonies.

Gen Z’s economic reality doesn’t allow for old-school weddings

There are many reasons behind this shift, but the most obvious is economic. In 2025, the average cost of a wedding has risen to around €24,000, while a registry office ceremony costs just €1,547. With the cost of living constantly rising, many young adults see this alternative as affordable without giving up style or meaning. By cutting down guest lists and skipping luxury venues, Gen Z can experience their big day in a more personal way and invest the savings elsewhere: perhaps in a longer honeymoon or buying their first home.

A paradigm shift: micro-weddings between calm and authenticity

This brings us to the second main reason Gen Z is redefining weddings. It’s a true shift in mindset, one that also influences how these events are shared on social media. Gen Z typically shares only fleeting glimpses of their habits and passions, often hidden in a ten-photo carousel spanning three months. No more carefully curated baby announcements: that’s too millennial. And the same logic applies to wedding planning, which now values spontaneity and authenticity over perfection. Modern and minimalist, these weddings are designed to reflect the couple’s personality rather than social or family expectations. Micro-weddings, born out of pandemic-era necessity, have now become a lifestyle. They’re smaller, calmer, less stressful, and they help cut costs.