To a great extent, wedding traditions are primarily linked to the culture, so we tend to sustain our family customs and traditions, in honor of our parents and ancestors. Then there’s religion to think about too, for couples who want to get married according to the traditions related to their faith. However, generation after generation, couples also show their own individuality through their wedding ceremonies. Today, when millennials are the ones getting hitched, the wedding scene has changed to accommodate them.
Or, let’s be more precise, they are the ones changing the wedding scene! A specific, tech-savvy, travel-loving generation of digital nomads, entrepreneurs, and all things unconventional, millennials are reinventing what weddings are about and how they are organized. If you’re curious about what you can bring into your wedding based on millennial trends, here are a few core ideas to consider.
Sustainability is a major factor
Driven by values above all else, millennials are versed in all things green. As a result, their weddings are often a reflection of these values rather than traditions. What that means from a planning perspective is that you can expect weddings that only serve local and seasonal food, a selection of vegan dishes, disposable tableware for weddings to take care of the environment, use only sustainable fabrics in their choice of garments, and cruelty-free makeup.
They’ll also make sure there’s as little waste as possible, and they won’t use plastic, but rather choose reusable options. As for the flowers, they will also think about local and seasonal as opposed to imported, and they’ll most likely try to find a way to offset the guests’ carbon footprint as much as possible!
Destination weddings are a hit
Big or small, destination weddings are becoming more popular every day among millennial couples. Known as the generation that loves to travel, work on the go, and spend months in new places exploring local wonders, it’s not too strange that they’d gladly hop half way across the world to Australia, no less, to create a once-in-a-lifetime adventure for themselves and their closest loved ones.
They’ll often hire a venue in Western Sydney for an extraordinary, luxurious experience, and to completely immerse themselves in the beauty of this Australian city. They’ll turn the event into a week-long vacation with their selected guests, and make sure to visit nearby wine regions, famous beaches, and foodie spots. Millennials know how to throw a party!
Leveraging tech every step of the way
E-vites, anyone? The millennial couple, born during the tech revolution is perfectly familiar with all the possibilities of using technology and digital solutions to simplify organization beyond what the previous generations could dream of.
Millennials happily use planning apps such as Zola Weddings to make sure they have every step covered, they research reviews online to make sure they find the best florist, venue, catering, and all related wedding details. They also send digital invitations and thank-you notes, but they also have a tendency to opt for presents that aren’t technically presents – they sometimes encourage donations to a cause they love instead of gifts, or they go for experience-based presents.
The dress code goes out the window
The guests’ dress code, but also the bride and groom’s dress codes are literally nothing like what is considered traditional. There’s no need to wear a white flowy dress if the bride doesn’t want to. She can wear a blue, black, red, or any kind of wedding dress she pleases. The groom, considering the potential Bondi Beach wedding, can wear flip flops and a t-shirt for all they care.
The freedom of choosing their clothing without any constrictions is a beautiful way in which millennials are letting go of stuffy, old limitations. Yes, the staple white dress is still a beautiful option, but it’s nothing more than that. It’s just an option!
Inclusivity is the norm
Back in the day of baby boomer weddings, the idea of a bride having a “man of honor” as opposed to the traditional maid of honor was nowhere near being on the table. Not to mention bachelorette parties with any gender that comes to your mind. Such limitations play no role in a millennial couple’s agenda when setting up their wedding, and rightfully so.
Their wedding as well as all the rituals and experiences prior to the big day are now wide open for including anyone they love and want to take part in this special occasion. In the same spirit, people’s sexual orientation or how they identify themselves poses no issues for them being part of the wedding or the ceremony.
On one hand, things are certainly changing for the better, to be diverse, colorful, and open-minded. Then again, some traditions that used to have cultural or religious relevance are slowly being pushed back, making room for more event-centric details, so that each couple can create an experience aligned with their own values and expectations. It’s all fair game, so millennials are using this opportunity to make weddings for future generations even more inclusive and authentic.
