Rent or RSVP? Gen Z, millennials make housing sacrifices to attend wedding events

Rhea-AI Summary

Zillow (NYSE:Z) released a new analysis revealing that attending a wedding and bachelor/bachelorette party costs approximately $2,010, nearly equivalent to the typical U.S. monthly rent of $2,072. The study found that 45% of Gen Z and millennials have made housing sacrifices to afford wedding events.

Key findings show that 59% of Gen Z and millennials attended at least one wedding last year, with 28% attending two or more. Common housing trade-offs include choosing smaller homes (15%) and living with roommates (11%). Notably, 25% have declined wedding invitations due to costs.

The report also highlights that a record 36% of rentals offered concessions in July 2025, providing opportunities for renters to balance celebration costs with housing expenses.

Positive

• Record high rental concessions (36%) offering opportunities for cost savings
• Zillow provides rent reporting to credit bureaus for eligible renters to help build credit
• Company demonstrates market leadership in understanding and addressing millennial/Gen Z housing challenges

Negative

• Rising wedding attendance costs competing with rental payments could impact rental market stability
• 25% of Gen Z and millennials declining wedding events due to costs indicates financial strain in key rental demographic

News Market Reaction – Z

+1.32%

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+1.32% News Effect

On the day this news was published, Z gained 1.32%, reflecting a mild positive market reaction.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

New Zillow Rentals analysis finds attending a wedding and bachelor or bachelorette party costs as much as rent

• One wedding + one bachelor(ette) party = $2,010. Typical U.S. monthly rent = $2,072.
• A Zillow Rentals survey finds 45% of Gen Z and millennials have made a housing sacrifice to afford to attend wedding events. 
• One in 4 Gen Z and millennials have turned down an invite to a wedding event because of the cost.

SEATTLE, Aug. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The cost of celebrating your best friend's big day now rivals the price of keeping a roof over your head. A new Zillow® Rentals analysis finds that attending just one wedding and a bachelor or bachelorette weekend can set you back about $2,010 (The Knot, Bankrate). That's comparable to the typical U.S. monthly rent of $2,072. In fact, celebrating a single wedding costs more than a month of rent in nearly 70% of the largest U.S. metros.

For Gen Z and millennial renters, the sticker shock of wedding season is real. A new Zillow Rentals survey shows: 

• 59% of Gen Z and millennials attended at least one wedding in the past year.
• 28% attended two or more.
• Nearly half of millennials (48%) and more than one-third of Gen Z (36%) attended at least one bachelor or bachelorette party. 

Nearly half of Gen Z and millennials (45%) say they've made a housing sacrifice to afford these celebrations. The most common trade-offs include renting or buying a smaller home (15%) and living with roommates (11%). One-quarter (25%) say they've declined to attend at least one wedding event because of the cost.

"This data highlights a generation making tough choices and facing a unique set of financial pressures," said Emily McDonald, Zillow Rentals expert. "Celebrating friends and their big life milestones is important and meaningful, so it's critical that renters approach wedding season with intention. Set a realistic rent budget, prioritize the events that matter most, and get creative to cut costs and keep financial goals on track."

It's an expensive stage of life. The median age of renters who moved in the past year is 33, nearly identical to the U.S. median age of marriage (32). Many young adults are juggling rent, student loans, saving for the future, and wedding celebrations all at once. Still, there are ways to manage the cash crunch:

• Put rent first. Before booking flights or buying gifts, set a realistic rent budget. Zillow's Rent Affordability Calculator can help renters figure out what's comfortable for their income and lifestyle so wedding season doesn't push them over the edge.
• Plan ahead and look for deals. Anticipating a busy wedding season? Before signing a new lease, seek out concessions like free parking or a month of free rent. Zillow's latest rental market report finds a record number of rentals offered a concession in July (36%), so be sure to ask what deals are available.
• Make paying rent work for you. Eligible renters who make their on-time rent payments through Zillow can have those payments reported to credit bureaus. This can help build credit and pave the way for future financial wins.
• Get creative with celebrating. Split costs with friends, attend just part of a bachelor(ette) weekend or offer a thoughtful nonmonetary gift, such as helping with setting up the wedding day. The memories will still mean just as much.

As wedding season expenses continue to rise, Zillow Rentals offers renters the tools they need to balance life's biggest milestones with confidence, ensuring that celebrating with friends doesn't come at the expense of their own housing stability.

About Zillow Group
Zillow Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: Z and ZG) is reimagining real estate to make home a reality for more and more people. As the most visited real estate app and website in the United States, Zillow and its affiliates help people find and get the home they want by connecting them with digital solutions, dedicated real estate professionals, and easier buying, selling, financing, and renting experiences. 

Zillow Group's affiliates, subsidiaries and brands include Zillow®, Zillow Premier Agent®, Zillow Home Loans℠, Zillow Rentals®, Trulia®, Out East®, StreetEasy®, HotPads®, ShowingTime+℠, Spruce®, and Follow Up Boss®. 

All marks herein are owned by MFTB Holdco, Inc., a Zillow affiliate. Zillow Home Loans, LLC is an Equal Housing Lender, NMLS #10287 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org). © 2025 MFTB Holdco, Inc., a Zillow affiliate.

 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rent-or-rsvp-gen-z-millennials-make-housing-sacrifices-to-attend-wedding-events-302540571.html

SOURCE Zillow Group, Inc.

FAQ

How much does attending a wedding and bachelor/bachelorette party cost compared to rent in 2025?

According to Zillow's analysis, attending one wedding and bachelor/bachelorette party costs about $2,010, nearly matching the typical U.S. monthly rent of $2,072.

What percentage of Gen Z and millennials have made housing sacrifices for wedding events?

45% of Gen Z and millennials have made housing sacrifices to afford wedding events, with 15% choosing smaller homes and 11% living with roommates.

How many Gen Z and millennials attended weddings in the past year according to Zillow?

59% of Gen Z and millennials attended at least one wedding in the past year, with 28% attending two or more events.

What percentage of rentals on Zillow offered concessions in July 2025?

A record 36% of rentals offered concessions in July 2025, including benefits like free parking or a month of free rent.

How many young adults have declined wedding events due to costs?

25% of Gen Z and millennials have declined to attend at least one wedding event because of the cost.