Next Up to the Altar: How Gen Z is Rewriting Bridal Fashion

It’s 2025, and things have changed. Gen-Z is taking the altar and they’re shaking things up, starting with their bridal fashion.

When you think of marriage, it’s likely your mind goes to a tried and true Catholic church ceremony—a long lace veil, a woman in a Vera Wang ballgown next to her black-tuxedo-clad husband atop a five-tier ivory cake. Vows are read, the bouquet is thrown, and next thing you know, you are back in your black-tie-optional attire on the way to the next identical wedding of the season.

Colored gowns, ceremonies at the club, little to no bridal parties; you name it, Gen-Z has experimented with it. Weddings should be a celebration of a couple’s individual, authentic love. Who says this sacred ceremony shouldn’t be unique and reflect a pairing’s one-of-a-kind partnership?

“All brides are looking for the unique factor, at least a little bit,” says Kim, a bridal maven in Manhattan. “They all come in wanting something with a little bit of flair.”

Kim has made a name for herself in all aspects of the bridal industry—from wedding planning to gown design and styling. She has been in the industry for 10 years and has experienced the shift from millennial to Gen Z matrimony firsthand.

CELEBRITY INFLUENCE

Kim was quick to bring up Charli XCX's recent wedding: “It was iconic, and it made headlines,” she said. “We’re going to start seeing a lot more brides go for minis now.”

Charli’s Danielle Frankel ceremony look. Source: Backgrid

Charli XCX is a pop icon consistently topping charts—especially since the release of the album Brat in 2024. She is a trendsetter in more ways than one and is a huge name for Gen Z. What she does has an impact, and her wedding was no different.

Charli was a visionary in both London at Hackney Hall and in Sicily this September. She paired a Vivienne Westwood mini with chunky black sunnies and a short veil. This was the pinnacle of a Gen-Z bridal look, and symbolises a transition into a new wave of matrimony.

At the Italy ceremony, Charlie made her way down the aisle to her husband, George Daniels, wearing a custom, sheer Danielle Frankel gown. Draped with chiffon and adorned with baroque pearls.

“There have been moments in bridal that are so different and shocking that they cause whole waves of brides to take bigger risks,” says Kim. “...Especially when it comes to celebrities.”

The first thing that comes to Kim’s mind when asked about celebrity wedding looks is Victoria Beckham’s bridal outfits. From her iconic 1999 custom Vera Wang gown, to her second look of a floor-length plum dress that matched the groom, she set standards in more ways than one. She is a case study on celebrities trailblazing the bridal industry.

Celebrity influence is always something to take into account, as it is so prevalent in every area of society. Gen Z especially has an affinity for influencer culture, and this also extends into the world of bridal.

BRIDAL MINIS

Mini dresses have also been a game-changer for Gen Z bridal fashion. Casual ceremonies create space for casual dresses—hemlines rise more and more every year. Some brides choose to save their short skirts for the afterparty or reception, while others jump right to the chase and pull them out for their ceremony. They give a flirty flair and are typically more popular among the fun-loving bride.

“My younger brides love a mini, whether it’s for the afterparty or otherwise,” Kim says. “I can always tell when a girl is coming in for a short dress.”

A key factor of these transitions is the price of a shorter gown. The Knot reports that the average Gen-Z bride spends around $27,000 on their big day. About $10,000 less than their millennial counterparts' average of $38,000. This decrease in budget can be reflected through Gen Z’s gown choices.

A designer mini will, typically speaking, cost less than a full floor or tea-length gown. Many brides are opting for this route to stretch their budget.

“I’m certain that there is a correlation between budget and gown trends,” says Kim. “Weddings cost a pretty penny, and if there’s a way for brides to cut that cost, they will.”

THRIFTED & SECOND-HAND GOWNS

Another huge trend is thrifted gowns.

Gen-Z has always had an affinity for thrifting. They have a way of reviving these pieces with respect, while also exercising their creativity. Gen Z is breathing new life into preworn garments, bringing back past trends, and finding their own personal style through secondhand pieces. These practices are translating even into their wedding gowns.

Vintage is in for all areas of weddings. Thrifted wedding table settings are currently trending, with couples hand-picking a mosaic of unique glassware and china for each guest. They make the table arrangements have depth and variety, and can curate a unique and beautiful aesthetic for the ceremony.

Vintage pieces, though they are being reused, add a certain charm to the bridal world.

Kim describes gown thrift-flips as, “taking someone else’s magic and transforming it into yours.” This technique is both unique and budget-effective—cutting costs while simultaneously making your wedding stand out.

Another factor to consider is sustainability. Gen Z has had a hand in spearheading the sustainability movement. They make a conscious effort to make eco-friendly choices, and for some people, this translates into their wedding. Second-hand decor and gowns are perfect ways to cut down on overconsumption in the bridal season of your life.

Brides are thrifting their gowns in many different places, both online and in-store. On TikTok, there are videos of girls saying yes to the dress at Goodwill, and tailoring them into their dream gown. These dresses are being brought back to life and revived into their youth—from the back of someone’s closet to the aisle.

For some brides, all a thrifted gown needs is tailoring at the waist and hem. Others opt for a full revamp.

Brides are taking gowns from the '50s and adding a modern flair to them—altering waistlines, removing sleeves, and even turning them into minis. The world of possibilities with these gowns is endless, and the benefits are plentiful. Luxury dresses and rare fabrics are being sold at a fraction of the price compared to ready-to-wear. These gowns also have a charm to them—one that can be emulated, but not fully replicated by a newly made copy.

There are several different platforms for brides to thrift their gowns online. A simple “thrifted wedding gowns” Google search will summons an entire world of options. Stillwhite, Nearly Newlywed, and Borrowing Magnolia are just a handful of the wide array of second-hand gowns available online.

Kim describes Gen Z brides as, “creative and resourceful”, thrifting proves this tenfold. They have struck gold with this trend. They are summoning the flair they desire while also satisfying their budget requisites.

INCLUSIVE BRIDAL FASHION

Gen Z bridal is untraditional and trailblazing on several different levels. They are even redefining who and what ia “bride.”

Gender neutral fashion has skyrocketed in popularity. This impact is felt in all areas of the fashion industry—including bridal! Designers have begun creating pieces that people of all gender identities can feel confident in.

Pantsuits, corsetted blazers, and hybrid suit & skirt combos are flooding the sketchbooks of wedding designers on a mass level. The demand is high with the new uptick of Gen Z celebrants.

“I get plenty of requests for gender neutral attire,” Kim says, “especially in recent years.”

Queer, non-binary, or non-conforming, everyone should have access to a variety of wedding-day attire that feels authentic to them. This celebration of union should celebrate the couple for who they are, with their outfit following suit.

It is important to remember that, similar to Gen Z weddings, gender neutral wedding fashion is still a relatively new concept. There is a question of whether high-quality designs are accessible at the moment, and the answer to that, to be frank, is most likely not.

Couture pieces come with a heavy price tag, and intentionally inclusive designs are limited.

Vogue’s 2023 article on gender neutral wedding attire notes that “...it’s rare to find accessible looks in mass-market bridal and menswear collections that truly feel gender-neutral.”

As of now, it feels to some as if it's one or the other—a hefty price tag, or a low-quality garment with little to no selections. Gen Z is working to change that, with designers and fashion houses like Kirrin Finch and Watson Ellis creating a wider portfolio of options for non-conforming individuals.

SECOND LOOKS

Gen Z loves a costume change, and where better to have one than at your wedding. As discussed, minis are a staple in nouveau bridal fashion, and they are typically seen is in second looks.

“A second look is practically non-negotiable with younger brides,” says Kim. It has become a rarity to find a bride who isn’t changing after I-do’s are said.

Some brides have upwards of four looks. They start the night before, at the rehearsal dinner. Carry through with outfit changes all the way to the afterparty.

Taking a deep dive into the reasoning behind this wedding wardrobe, we can see that the main, original draw to these changes was comfort. Shuffling through your reception in a corsetted gown with 5 layers of crinoline in the petticoat isn’t exactly ideal for most brides—hence why many have opted for a silk slip, or chic mini for the remainder of their wedding day.

Budget, once again, has also had a hand in this transition. Instead of having only one gown that takes up the entirety of your wardrobe budget, the cost is split into several, more inexpensive looks. Brides are able to divide their costs more effectively while remaining fashion-forward.

CONCLUSION

Gen Z is revolutionizing every industry they step into, and the bridal industry is no different. They are reshaping this world of tradition to better suit them and shaking things up with their authenticity. Weddings should feel authentic and wholeheartedly truthful to the celebrates. A celebration of life and love, they symbolize the union of 2 people into one partnership. These events are sacred, and what you wear is a material capsule of this unforgettable day.

Creativity is a big part of what makes this generation unique. Their ideas redefine and reimagine industries that have been set in stone for generations. They do this with ease, adding their own unique flair every step of the way. One look is never enough for Gen Z– these fashionistas have made the most of their big day, popularizing a bridal wardrobe made up of several different outfits for each wedding event.

Gen Z brides take an untraditional approach, but their hearts are still in the same place. They have created a more welcoming and open community for people of all identities, emphasizing the importance of expressing your true self to your true love at the altar. Their sustainable habits still ring true, even on their most important day, with thrifted wedding dresses skyrocketing in popularity. Gen Z brides are taking upcycling to the next level and rejuvenating the gowns of generations past for their festivities.

It being the digital age, these brides have taken their ideas to social media to inspire others more than any other generation, but still, because of the creative minds of today, no two weddings are the same.

Weddings are a tradition that have stood the test of time. They transcend social class, region, era, and all other factors. They are a constant in society. The millennials are passing the baton of wedding culture and fashion to Gen Z– and trust me when I say it is in good hands.