More Vows, Less Wow

Something Borrowed, Something True

- Nicole Chan

According to a 2025 McKinsey survey on the future of wellness, nearly 30 percent of Gen Zers and millennials in the US report prioritizing wellness "a lot more" than they did just a year ago, a jump that outpaces older generations.

This awareness has clearly seeped into how younger generations approach wedding planning—and it makes sense that couples today, whether in Singapore or the US, are more conscious of emotional bandwidth.

What used to be accepted as just part of the wedding grind—keeping everyone happy, saying yes to every tradition, stretching budgets to please extended family—is now being interrogated.

There are also economic reasons. With housing prices climbing, wages stagnating and the cost of living rising, the pressure to spend tens of thousands on a single day can feel unwarranted.

Weddings in Singapore have become significantly more expensive. According to one report, banquet prices alone have risen by over 50 percent in the last decade, with tables now costing between $1,500 and $2,000 each. Even smaller celebrations can quickly add up, with many couples spending upwards of $30,000 to $50,000, especially once hidden costs like service charges and corkage fees are included.

Among my friends, many are spending close to $50,000 for around 180 guests, and that's before add-ons like attire, decor, alcohol and the post-dinner party.

But ultimately, the common thread is that younger couples are less willing to follow traditions they don't believe in. Where older generations might have accepted discomfort for the sake of harmony, many of us are finally asking: Whose happiness is this really about?

SOMETHING BORROWED, SOMETHING TRUE