As it gets increasingly difficult to get a foot on the property ladder, young Brits are prioritising spending their hard-earned cash on honeymoons instead of buying their own homes. A recent survey by UK holiday firm TUI has revealed that over four in 10 of Generation Z would prefer to spend their hard-earned money on a post-wedding trip abroad rather than saving for a house deposit.
When asked to prioritise life goals, a ‘dream honeymoon’ was at the top of the list for 42% of Gen Z. But while many still harbour dreams of owning their own home, only 22% of young Brits prioritise saving for their big wedding day over globetrotting. Instead, many are willing to sacrifice traditional wedding elements to save money for the big trip.
According to the study, 26% of Gen Z would cut down the guest list, while 28% would forego bridesmaids dresses and 19% would opt for a cheaper venue. Even flowers, cakes and stag or hen parties were among the traditions some couples were prepared to ditch for a dream honeymoon.
On average, respondents said they’d be happy to shell out around £8,000 for their post-wedding getaway. But when broken down by age, Gen Z are prepared to dig deeper, spending an average of £13,000.
Meanwhile, one in 10 young newlyweds, aged 18-24, would cough up more than £20,000 and 13% would even stretch to a staggering £50,000+.
Whilst conventional honeymoon destinations such as the Caribbean, Maldives and Mauritius continue to dominate the rankings, ‘alternative moons’ are also gathering momentum.
The study found that 19% of newly married couples are choosing adventure-filled breaks packed with safaris, diving and trekking.
And as winter approaches, 16% are considering a “chilly-moon”, making a visit to Lapland or Iceland. Meanwhile, 13% prefer a “party-moon”, celebrating until sunrise in Ibiza or Las Vegas.
Nearly seven in ten couples jet off on their honeymoon within a fortnight of exchanging vows, with the majority preferring a week-long escape. Nevertheless, 22% of Gen Z couples take a complete two weeks, while 17% select a short “mini-moon” spanning just one to three nights.
This may be as a result of the “multi-moon” phenomenon which is also trending as 14% select multiple shorter excursions throughout the year rather than splurge on one big holiday.
The results emerge as TUI becomes the sponsor of Married at First Sight UK, and has commissioned research into all things weddings to discover the leading honeymoon trends amongst Britons.
Chris Logan, Commercial Director at TUI UK & Ireland, says: “Our research shows that young couples are prioritising travel over all else.”
He adds: “For many, the honeymoon is no longer just a follow-up to the wedding – it’s the main event.
“Whether it’s an all-inclusive escape to Mauritius, a safari adventure in Kenya, or a romantic city break in Paris, today’s newlyweds are looking for experiences that reflect who they are, give them space to spend quality time together, and create memories that will last a lifetime.
“We’re also seeing more couples choosing to take several smaller trips across the year – a growing ‘multi-moon’ trend that speaks to a more flexible, experience-led approach to mark the start of married life.”