Which Wedding Traditions Do Couples Want To Leave Behind?

A poll of 2,000 adults in serious relationships, engaged or married, split evenly by generation, revealed 68% feel it is important that their wedding is customized to be unique to them rather than follow tradition.

For 45%, that means hosting the ceremony in a place with personal significance.

Meanwhile, others agreed that it means ditching the same old tunes and choosing a different song to walk down the aisle (36%), leaving dress code norms behind (29%) and choosing an unconventional theme (18%).

One in five millennials would even take it a step further and incorporate a surprise performance by the couple, guests or a professional performer.

In fact, more than three-quarters (78%) of respondents feel weddings are more memorable when they reflect the couple’s lives.

Customs like not seeing each other before the ceremony (36%) and wearing a white dress (36%) are considered outdated.

But that doesn’t mean guests should come in their all-white attire. Almost one in five (19%) Gen-Zers say wearing white is the rudest thing you can do as a guest, whereas only 2% of baby boomers would also take offense. 

However, the top tradition couples are leaving behind is the bride’s family paying for the wedding (46%). So much so that the majority of respondents say that they and their partner are forking out the big bucks together.

Ceremony locations are also seeing a shift. When analyzed by age, respondents who would get married in a house of worship declines with each generation — 39% of baby boomers, 24% of Gen Xers, 18% of millennials and just 13% of Gen Zers. 

Back-up guests include current and former colleagues (44%), childhood friends that they may not currently be in contact with (43%), current and former teachers and educators (33%) and friends of the bride and groom’s parents (32%).

But respondents were divided on how to deal with plus ones. Many (39%) believe it is most appropriate when the couple knows the guest’s partner.

Others will include a plus one if the guest is living with their partner (31%) or as long as the guest and their plus one have been dating for more than six months (29%).

Only 11% of respondents would never give out plus ones, including 18% of baby boomers,  more than any other generation. 

When asked what advice they’d bestow on couples planning their wedding now, respondents highlighted communicating opinions honestly (57%), going with the flow (46%) and making a detailed budget (45%).

“Whether couples are celebrating at the courthouse or a garden, in black tie or casual attire, we are here to support them from when they say “Yes” to far beyond “I Do,” said the Minted Weddings spokesperson. “We are honored to have helped over one million couples walk down the aisle with designs that reflect their unique style.”

Produced in association with SWNS Research

(Additional reporting provided by Talker Research)