Charli XCX leads quiet wedding trend as Gen Z opt for smaller celebrations
It really is the end of Brat summer as Charli XCX tied the knot with her long term partner George Daniel last week. The 365 Party Girl singer kept her nuptials low-key, with the ceremony taking place in Hackney Town Hall and finishing off the celebrations in a cocktail bar in East London.
It's created a surge in more people exploring 'quiet weddings'. Charli, who married The 1975 drummer, shared snaps of her day online, and following the quiet wedding trend that is being driven by Gen Z.
Gen Z are driving the surge in quiet weddings, with more and more couples deciding to go against 'traditional' weddings, instead opting for something a lot smaller and intimate. There are about 62,000 monthly searches from couples trying to find their local registry office, while a recent survey found that 29% of couples are deciding to go for smaller, more intimate wedding ceremonies.
So it seems micro-weddings weren't just for the pandemic. Couples who cut back on guests mean they are able to invest in more of their celebrations - such as pre- and post-wedding gatherings. This allows the couple to prioritise their spend on the things that matter most, whether that's a particular band, gourmet catering or the intimate venue of their dreams.
Searches for local registry office weddings have increased more than 5000% in the past 30 days, with brides drawing inspiration from Charli XCX's Hackney Town Hall wedding. Pinterest's annual wedding report highlights that Gen Z is behind the surge, with couples choosing a chic yet intimate celebration, driving what Aura Print calls "quiet weddings".
Why do Gen Z love a quiet wedding?
Wedding specialists at Aura Print explain said: "Charli XCX married George Daniel over the weekend in a low-key town hall ceremony, heavily mimicking the trends we're currently seeing among Gen Z couples when it comes to wedding planning. They're rewriting the modern wedding traditions, pushing for more private and intimate celebrations - they want a 'quiet wedding'."
It's also no longer cool to showcase every single moment of your life online or in person according to the experts. Social media trends show that Gen Z only share the occasional glimpse into their habits and hobbies, usually via a single image buried in a 10-swipe dump, which spans the past three months.
"They're no longer announcing their pregnancies through curated craft-boards - it's too millennial," they add, and the same trends are starting to happen in wedding planning and execution. Think curated, yet aiming for an un-curated feel at the same time.
Coined as 'registry-core' the new rising trend has seen a 5000% surge in city hall registry interest, often styled with modern and minimalist aesthetic, similar to Charli XCX's. It's a way for them to celebrate meaningfully while embracing effortless chic that feels personal.
Influenced by the pandemic, it originally started as a necessity that quickly turned into a popular trend with unexpected benefits. They can provide more relaxed atmospheres, extra time with attendees, and less stress proving you don't need a big grand wedding for it to be meaningful.
Aside from this, it's also a lot cheaper too, with the average cost of a wedding in 2025 around £20,822, the average registry office wedding cost is £1,342. With cost of living prices being higher than ever, smaller weddings offer an affordable alternative which doesn't sacrifice style or meaning.
"By scaling back on guest lists and grand venues, Gen Z can celebrate their day and invest their budget differently - whether this leaves room for a longer honeymoon or buying their first home," the experts noted.
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