As an operation that’s focused on celebration, The Knot Worldwide has published its first-ever Future of Marriage Report, including trends from a study of more than 1,000 single or dating Millennial and Gen Zers in the United States.
The report concluded that the majority of Gen Zers believe marriage is important in modern society with only 8% believing that marriage is outdated.
The top three words that come to mind when Gen Z thinks of marriage are commitment, at 68%, happiness, at 58%, and forever, at 53%.
When it comes to nuptial consideration, 81% of Gen Zers said they are open to the possibility of getting married, with half saying they definitely see it happening.
When asked about what age they see themselves getting married, 62% of Gen Zers said their late 20s to early 30s, with the average age being 28.
In big-date terms, 72% of Gen Zers look forward to their wedding day and 78% of Gen Z respondents have already taken at least one action related to planning a wedding, even more than Millennials, at 60%. Indeed, Gen Zers have most commonly envisioned what their own wedding might look like, at 51%, and have saved ideas and inspiration, at 32%, and looked up costs, at 32%, for the occasion.
Nine in 10 of Gen Z study respondents who saw themselves getting married in the future plan to put together a wedding reception. Among Gen Zers who said they were unsure about whether they wanted to legally get married, 49% said they still wanted a party to honor their relationship.
Then, 43% of Gen Zers said they would have attended at least one wedding by the end of 2023, and, of those, 76% stated that they are looking forward to it.
About half of Gen Z respondents to the Knot study thought of wedding celebrations as being expensive, but 58% say their wedding is part of long-term financial goals and 66% agree that their wedding day is or will be worth the financial investment.
“There’s a common misconception that younger people don’t believe in marriage, but we’re seeing that the next generation of couples is looking forward to getting married and commemorating their love in a way that’s authentic to them,” said Tim Chi, Knot Worldwide CEO. “Gen Z has proven to be a force for change, and I’m inspired by the way they’re reimagining traditions. Instead of marrying out of necessity or social pressure, many younger people are choosing a partner who complements or shares their values. I think this evolution will lead to a golden age of marriage, in which we will see more long-lasting and secure relationships, focused on celebrating the most important moments.”
