4 Reasons There Are More Small Weddings Today!
1 – A Pandemic Symptom
One of the reasons we are seeing more small weddings is that there was a sharp drop in the number of weddings during the COVID-19 pandemic. This was largely due to the fact that it was impossible to host a large wedding under social distancing restrictions. Many couples realized that a smaller celebration or elopement was actually better for them and even when restrictions were lifted, many opted to keep it small.
2 – Choosing Cohabitation Over Marriage
While COVID-19 did result in the cancellation or scaling back of many weddings, the numbers were actually already dropping pre-pandemic. One reason for this is that couples, especially Millennials, are choosing to cohabit rather than get married until later in life.
3 – High-Cost Leads to more small Weddings
Cost has always been a huge factor in wedding planning and it is one of the most common reasons people choose to elope. Eloping can allow you to have a wedding and a honeymoon for up to 90% less than a traditional large wedding.
4 – Age Can Be a Factor
While more millennials are choosing cohabitation over marriage, older couples are the ones getting married, especially those in the 65 and over age group. With people prioritizing other areas of their lives such as travel, career, and higher education, marriage has become something to settle into later in life. The knock-on effect is that older couples don’t feel the need for an extravagant celebration. They are increasingly likely to choose a more intimate ceremony instead.
Will We Continue to See More Small Weddings?
The big question everyone wants to know is whether or not this trend is set to continue. Have big weddings had their day in the sun? The answer is yes! Marriage rates have been in decline since the 1970s. Many of those who do choose to get married are opting for smaller and more affordable celebrations. We can only see the number of elopements and smaller wedding celebrations increasing.