Millennials Creating New Wedding Traditions

Ask our wedding planners here at Commodore about the impact that the millennial generation has had on wedding traditions, and they will read off a pretty lengthy list. Traditions have been an integral part of weddings for centuries, with each culture offering its unique offerings. Most people over 40 likely included many of the same traditions in their weddings that their parents did. Millennials are pushing against that, and redefining the wedding “experience” in ways that suit their unique world view. 

They value experiences over material concerns. Expensive outlays on dresses, gifts, hotels, and even rings are being questioned as unnecessary for creating an event that is both exciting and memorable. Location weddings, including a day on San Francisco Bay in a chartered yacht, are more popular than ever as a result. 

Wedding Traditions that Millennials are Showing the Door

Wedding Parties and Outfits

Wedding parties are no longer adhering strictly to the separation of men and women into bridesmaids and groomsmen. The bride and groom may invite a mix of men and women to stand by their side during the ceremony. Wearing a uniform-style dress or suit is also becoming optional.

Gifts for Guests and Wedding Party Members

Couples no longer wish to stress out over finding “the perfect keepsake” for groomsmen, bridesmaids, or guests. The experience is their gift. Indeed, it occurs to some that the keepsake means a lot to them, but less so to the people taking it home. And the gifts they do give are locally themed to emphasize sustainability and support local businesses.

Formal Meals and the Wedding Cake

Served sit-down meals have given way to buffets or food stations, which allow for continuous eating alongside speeches, music, and dancing. And while the cake is still a centerpiece of millennial weddings, the formal cutting of the cake with the newlyweds feeding each other a piece is becoming less common.

The Bouquet and Garter Toss

With fewer single, unattached people within a wedding party, the concept of picking the next bride or groom by flinging the bouquet or garter into a crowd is growing less popular.

The Honeymoon

The honeymoon still occurs, but for over 50% of newlyweds, it happens sometime after the wedding. There is a sense that the best time for the wedding ceremony is not necessarily the best time to take a vacation. This makes a lot of sense for several reasons, and we expect this trend to persist.

Many traditional wedding customs will also continue, but expect Millennials to put their unique stamp on them. “For a generation that prizes experience as a luxury good,” wrote a writer on The Knot, “saying yes to the dress may not matter nearly so much as saying yes to a wedding experience, one that can be shared both in person and on social media.”

Commodore Offers the Unique Wedding Experience Millennials Love

Many of the trends cited above fit quite nicely onto a Commodore yacht, making it a great Millennial wedding venue. We have long served food at food stations, for instance. Our musical ensembles and DJs often collaborate with couples to create music programs that feature contemporary songs instead of classical tunes. Our unique style of open-air ceremonies creates precisely the kind of memorable setting that provides a wonderful experience for everyone involved.

Explore with us the uniqueness of a Commodore wedding cruise. Contact us here or call us at 510-263-9790.