For generations, weddings in China have been grand affairs. The ceremony itself would be steeped in tradition and would follow a chronology of sorts that left little room for deviation. But, Gen Z is having none of it. A recent survey report released by the social networking platform Soul App revealed that Zoomers are not keen on embracing customs just because they have been around for a while. Yet, they are just as unwilling to shun them entirely.
Soul App’s survey, which involved almost 4500 young respondents, highlighted the fact that Gen Z are keen on taking a middle ground that is practical, personal and has ample panache. For these youngsters, a wedding is an important event that celebrates their beliefs and is an opportunity for self-expression.
From venue selection to wedding attire, youngsters want to curate every detail to showcase their unique personalities. They also have very clear ideas on customs and traditions that need to be shown the door or at least need to be reined in to make the whole affair more realistic and practical. For instance, 40% of the young respondents of Soul App’s survey wanted to do away with three traditional wedding customs:
- Excessive dowries
- Outdated door-blocking customs
- Overly sentimental or forced emotional moments
Also, they wanted to ensure that their big day would not turn into an ostentatious display of wealth nor of over-the-top emotions. One respondent summed it perfectly when he stated that weddings should be about love and not about tears, even if they are tears of joy.
Minimalism is another trend that has captured the attention of China’s Gen Z when it comes to wedding planning. Because they are working with a realistic budget, youngsters are willing to leave out elements that they consider irrelevant. Of course, Zoomers are also willing to compromise a bit to keep things in perspective.
For example, nearly 72% of Soul App’s survey participants supported maintaining dowries or bride prices but wanted the amounts to be negotiable. In other words, they are willing to honor certain customs but do not want them to turn into a financial burden for anybody.
Soul App’s researchers observed that some cultural aspects of traditional Chinese weddings continue to be a hit, even among Gen Z. For instance, young couples, their modern leanings notwithstanding, are keen on donning traditional Chinese wedding attire (Hanfu). Similarly, many are enthusiastic about using classic paper-cut decorations to add a unique cultural touch.
Despite the desire to integrate cultural elements in the celebration of their big day, youngsters are inclined to use technology to help them plan their wedding. In fact, platforms like Soul App play a huge role in shaping wedding trends. The social networking app offers the perfect environment to bounce ideas that combine the old world with the new.
In terms of how much money Zoomers want to spend on their wedding, reality and pragmatism, once again, take priority. For instance, it was not uncommon for previous generations in China to opt for large-scale weddings. But Gen Z is more focused on maximizing the emotional value of their special day. This means financial considerations play a major role in their wedding planning. As far as actual figures go, Soul App’s survey found that:
- 33.35% of respondents had decided to set their wedding budget between 50,000 and 100,000 yuan.
- 17.19% chose to keep their wedding expenses under 50,000 yuan.
- Women were more likely to favor small-scale weddings and prioritize intimacy over grandiosity.
And what did the youngsters want to do with the money they save by curtailing wedding expenses? Well, most couples said that they would rather spend on intimate and memorable experiences such as a destination wedding which only involved close family and friends.
In fact, many people who responded to Soul App’s survey were against the idea of lengthy guest lists. These youngsters were keen on sharing their joy with their close relatives and friends instead of inviting just about everybody they have ever known.
In other words, a sense of pragmatism seems to have descended upon the collective psyche. Gen Zers want to capture every bit of emotional value from the money they spend. This certainly does not mean that they don’t want to let the world know about this important life event. But instead of an actual invitation, they are happy sharing their joy through social media.
Hence, many youngsters are carefully curating various aspects of their wedding ceremony to suit the social networking/social media channels they frequent. So fervent is this desire to make their big day look good on social media that youngsters are choosing the music, the venue, the decoration, and even the theme of their wedding ceremony long before they actually get to the point of tying the knot.
Another curious observation made the researchers of Soul App was about the inclusion of pets in weddings. Discussions about “cats in traditional wedding processions” continue to attract a lot of attention on the social networking platform, and understandably so. Gen Z treats pets as family, so it is only natural to want to make them a part of the momentous occasion.
When all the information from Soul App’s report is put together what emerges is an image of classic Gen Z mindset and behavior. It’s clear that China’s younger lot respect traditions but they do not feel obligated to follow customs. Instead, like with all aspects of their personal life, they are seeking authentic and meaningful experiences that reflect their values. So, while certain traditions are being preserved, it’s being done in a way that feels genuine and personal.