Every generation has its own wedding style, from the over-the-top, royal-inspired celebrations of Gen X to the outdoor-forward fêtes popularized by millennials. When it comes to Gen Z, which includes couples currently in their early- to mid-20s, the aesthetic is less about specific design elements and more about the overall atmosphere. Rather than adhering to cookie-cutter choices, they’re crafting their own vision by choosing individual elements that resonate and discarding those that don’t.
“Gen X tended to follow tradition with church weddings and ballroom receptions; there was an emphasis on formal etiquette and elegance,” say Erica Vanco and Bianca Hall, the co-owners of Estera Events. “Millennials perfected the curated wedding with escort card walls and photo booths; we all remember the donut walls. We find Gen Z has a bit more freedom of choice when it comes to style, inclusivity, and individuality, yet they do nod to a few past generations in their style choices.”
Meet the Expert
- Erica Vanco and Bianca Hall are the co-owners and lead planners of Estera Events.
- Emily Park and Esther Oh are the co-founders of Studio Komorebi.
- Laura Ritchie is the founder and principal designer at Grit & Grace.
- Myka Meier is a modern etiquette expert and and the founder of Beaumont Etiquette.
Individual design elements can be inspired by everything from where the duo met to their beloved houseplants, yet the unifying theme is that they revolve around the couple’s own experience. “The design choices seem to stem from a personal aesthetic, [rather] than a specific Instagram post or a trending wedding,” say Emily Park and Esther Oh, the co-founders of Studio Komorebi. “Everyone wants to be original and unrestricted by a location, time of year, or specific vendor. It’s a careful curation and process inspired by past travels, patterns and linens, interior design, nostalgia, milestones in the relationship, and so on.”
Here, our experts explain the ways that this aesthetic appears in Gen Z weddings—and offer some examples to inspire your own celebration.
The Gen Z Aesthetic: Based on Authenticity
Gen Z is embracing a design sense anchored in the idea of choosing exactly what they want—rather than appealing to anyone else. “It seems to come from witnessing and attending an era of more traditional, elaborate weddings and, in turn, prioritizing comfort and authenticity, doing what speaks to you and your partner personally and collectively, and wanting the wedding weekend to reflect this,” says Oh. While the end result may look effortless, the reality is that these celebrations are often planned down to the smallest detail. Ultimately, they’re high-effort affairs that simply feel intimate, personal, and relaxed. “It takes curation and extensive brainstorming to create a laid-back, natural, and casual aesthetic and vibe,” Oh adds.
For a wedding planner or designer, this often means incorporating fresh and one-of-a-kind elements that haven’t been seen before. “Gen Z is embracing a more personality-driven wedding aesthetic that reflects who they are, what they like, and how they want their guests to be immersed into that more genuine point of view for the day that they go from single to married,” says Laura Ritchie, the owner and principal designer of Grit & Grace.
The Appeal of the Anti-Bride Aesthetic
For Gen Z, the popular anti-bride aesthetic doesn’t require foregoing the celebration entirely. Instead, it means skipping over the traditional bridal elements that don’t fit their personality or relationship. “The anti-bride isn’t anti-celebration, they are anti-conformity,” says Hall. “They push back against the wedding-industry complex in favor of meaning and creativity.” For Hall’s couples, this means sourcing archival vintage fashion looks, adding groomswomen and bridesmen to their wedding parties (or skipping attendants entirely), and creating a custom design plan. “They’re all about mixing high and low, pairing designer florals with vintage tableware or turning to digital invitation sites to manage RSVPs—sustainable and stylish,” she says. “It’s not about perfection; it’s about creating a wedding that feels personal.”
7 Examples of the Gen Z Aesthetic to Inspire Your Own Celebration
Curious about what this type of design looks like in practice at a modern celebration? Below, we offer seven examples from real weddings that showcase the personality-driven—yet laid-back—aesthetic that’s beloved by Gen Z.
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Showstopping Reception Elements
Photo by Les Loups
Cap off a romantic, soulful ceremony with a high-energy reception inspired by the celebrations of the 1970s, like this couple did at their destination nuptials. “We're seeing budgets shift toward live entertainment, immersive lighting, and interactive dance-floor experiences,” says Hall. “Think vibrant lighting installations and fun dance-floor props. Add in a curated smokers’ lounge or bold, themed design elements, and it’s clear that a nod to Studio 54 is alive and well.”
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Instagram-Worthy Moments
Photo by Scott Clark Photo
Though many Gen Z couples request that guests keep their cameras away during the ceremony, the reception is built to provide plenty of photo-ready moments: Backdrops, escort walls, portrait studios, and unforgettable installations all offer attendees the chance to memorialize the celebration. Photo booths, like the one at this couple's New York nuptials, lend a vintage feel to a modern affair.
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Bespoke Dress Codes
Photo by Lucy Munoz Photography
While dress codes are a traditional wedding request, Gen Z skips over common classifications like black-tie or cocktail attire in favor of wardrobe guidelines that leave endless room for self-expression. “Rather than viewing dress codes as restrictive, many Gen Z couples are embracing them as a way to set a mood or aesthetic—for example a ‘garden disco’ or ‘black-tie and bold’ wedding—or even a color scheme, like ‘summer pastels,’” says Myka Meier, an etiquette expert. This couple did just that at their Palm Springs celebration, asking their attendees to embody a “main character moment.”
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1990s References
Photo by Katie Gracen
Many Gen Z couples are turning to the 1990s for fashion and style inspiration, like this duo did at their Georgia celebration. Think: slip dresses, basque-waist gowns, and film photography, says Hall. “This pared-back aesthetic speaks to their appreciation for quiet luxury, authenticity, and design that isn’t overly produced or trend-driven,” she adds. “From simple slip dresses to neutral palettes, the ‘90s influence delivers a sense of cool, effortless elegance that aligns perfectly with Gen Z’s more laid-back vibe.”
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Unconventional Food and Beverage Offerings
Photo by Rebecca Yale Photography
From late-night fast food to custom creations inspired by their family heritage, Gen Z is as attentive to their menu as they are to every other detail of the day. Ritchie helps her clients think beyond a single specialty cocktail to highlight their all-time favorite foods and drinks—and share them with their guests, like this couple did at their Florida celebration. “We are talking burritos from the restaurant they had their first date at as a send-off snack, or a full-blown martini cart pushed by the bride onto the dance floor,” she says.
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High-Impact Designs
Photo by Kate Headley
Gen Z isn’t afraid to choose vibrant, colorful designs that create unforgettable spaces for their guests, says Ritchie. They embrace “bold color combos, extremes in pattern play, full event themes, and taking cues from art, movies and locations to create a more immersive experience,” she says. “Not just another pink and white wedding!” Take a cue from this bride and groom: At their Michigan celebration, they incorporated bright pops of yellow throughout their reception space, including on the dance floor.
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Unique Venues
Photo by John Dolan
From iconic restaurants to boutique hotels, Gen Z couples keep their guest lists small to host their nearest and dearest in non-traditional spaces, like this couple did at their New York City nuptials. “We are seeing a trend towards weddings sticking to around 150 guests to accommodate more unique venues that weren’t necessarily built for major head counts, but are brimming with style,” says Ritchie.
