Gen Z spends over £1,800 on wedding ceremony outfits as social media stress drives prices up
Gen Z couples spend more than £1,800 on wedding outfits and accessories as social media pressure to look perfect continues to grow
Gen Z are spending more on their outfits than any other generation(Image: Getty Images)
Gen Zs splash out more than £1,800 on numerous wedding outfits and accessories, according to new research.
A study of over 2,000 married men and women revealed Gen Z weddings have become multi-event spectacles featuring several costume changes and opportunities for content creation.
The research uncovered that Gen Zers host more bridal/groom showers, engagement parties, rehearsal dinners and day-after celebrations than any previous generation, with social media transforming expectations and piling on additional pressure.
Eight in 10 Gen Zers felt under pressure to appear flawless on their wedding day, with 38% acknowledging this predominantly stems from social media.
What’s more, one in five stated that capturing the perfect pictures for social media ranked as a top priority.
Ellis Ranson, a celebrity stylist and brand ambassador for footwear retailer Deichmann, which commissioned the research, said: “Wedding content culture is now huge. The typical Gen Z wedding is far more appearance driven than previous generations as they look to change outfits as the day goes on.
“With all of the outfit changes, there comes a price tag that can see people add hundreds onto their budgeted amounts.”
Researchers discovered 80% bought two or more outfits for the big day alone and 71% had at least two pairs of shoes. Yet 12% felt they splashed out too much on their appearance.
The overall average spent on outfits by the married Brits polled was £1,219.07 – some £600 less than Gen Z. Baby Boomers typically splashed out £552 and made do with a single outfit for the entire day, while 70% of Generation X got by with just one pair of shoes.
The study revealed 82% of women purchased shoes specifically for their big day, compared to 64% of grooms.
Nevertheless, Gen Z were most inclined to keep something to wear again and Millennials chose to claw back some of the cash by flogging their outfits afterwards.
Ellis Ranson, for Deichmann, added: “The pressure to spend on outfits is now huge but you don’t need to overspend to chase the perfect look.
“There are so many great alternatives to expensive designer pieces and saving money on your footwear and accessories is a great way to make sure you stay within budget.”
