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From Sheet Cakes to Candid Photos: 10 Wedding Trends Gen Z Loves
- SKY Staff
- Aug 19
- 5 min read
Updated: Aug 21
Gen Z couples are rewriting the wedding playbook. The big showy traditions aren’t what defines their day anymore. Instead, it’s all about being authentic, being creative, and designing moments that feel like them. At SKY Armory in downtown Syracuse, we love that energy. Our spaces are designed to host weddings that feel personal and alive, where every detail tells a story.
Let's explore the top Gen Z wedding trends for 2025 and beyond, and how we can help you incorporate them into your big day.
1) Micro-Weddings (Big on Meaning, Small on Stress)
Smaller guest lists are surging, allowing couples to focus more on intimacy and personalization. Couples are choosing fewer people and more intentional moments. Micro-weddings feel intimate, calm, and deeply connected. Micro weddings can also be more cost-effective and less stressful, offering a meaningful experience for both the couple and their guests.
At SKY Armory: Our ballrooms can be styled to feel cozy without losing elegance, making smaller weddings feel just as special as the biggest party. Additionally, our Betts on 1 ballroom and The Tasting Room @ SKY Armory are both the perfect size for a small, intimate celebration.
2) Non-Traditional Cakes (The Rise of the Sheet Cake)
The tall tiered cake is no longer the star of the show. Couples are cutting into long, elegant sheet cakes that are easier to serve and can be more creative. They’re practical, stylish, and still just as delicious.
At SKY Armory: Collaborate with our planner and culinary team to design a long sheet cake that complements your color palette, creating a visually stunning and delicious centerpiece for your reception.
3) Dessert Coupes + Unique Displays
Couples are finding ways to turn dessert into a little moment of surprise. Mini mousses in glass coupes, towers of cookies, or stations of seasonal sweets are fun and interactive, totally elevating the guest experience.
At SKY Armory: We treat dessert like decor, designing displays that feel fun and interactive while still looking elegant.
4) Food as Décor (and Experience)
Maybe it's the latest trend, maybe it's a budgeting technique. Whatever the reason, food as decor has certainly made its way into Gen Z weddings. From fruit centerpieces to beautiful dessert set-ups, food displays have become an excellent (and delicious) conversation starter.
At SKY Armory: Our culinary team builds edible focal points and custom bars that reflect your story!
5) Vintage Veils + Dresses (Heirlooms, Reimagined)
Gen Z couples are embracing the beauty of heirlooms. Grandma’s veil or a vintage dress from the 60s becomes a meaningful piece for the day, often paired with modern touches. It’s a way of honoring the past while celebrating the future.
At SKY Armory: Bring your vintage attire to life against our clean, modern backdrops, ensuring your heirloom pieces take center stage in photos and create timeless memories.
6) No Wedding Party (or Very Small)
Large wedding parties are becoming less common. Couples are simplifying, sometimes choosing just a sibling or a best friend. And sometimes skipping the tradition altogether! The focus stays on the couple and the commitment they’re making.
At SKY Armory: We can tailor the ceremony layout to spotlight you and your partner, allowing your closest loved ones to be present without the formality of a large wedding party.
7) Disposable Cameras & Camcorders
There’s something magical about handing a guest a disposable camera. The photos aren’t perfect, but that’s the charm. Couples end up with a collection of real, unfiltered memories captured through their guests’ eyes. Disposable cameras and pass-around camcorders deliver fuzzy, nostalgic magic, capturing candid moments throughout the day.
At SKY Armory: We make it easy to set up drop-off points or collection baskets so guests can snap away and leave their cameras behind at the end of the night.
8) Candid-Style Photos > Posed
Speaking of candid . . . staged poses are giving way to authentic, in-the-moment photography. The laughter, the tears, the movement on the dance floor, these are the images couples want to remember.
At SKY Armory: Our ballrooms and urban exteriors provide editorial lighting and textures, giving photographers the perfect canvas to capture the day as it really happens.
9) Maximalist Florals + Bold Color
Sorry millennials, minimalism is out. Gen Z couples are leaning into bold palettes, dramatic installations, and floral designs that feel alive.
At SKY Armory: Our in-house florist, Angela, creates breathtaking floral designs tailored to your vision. She can map color across the room so every angle pops without feeling busy, ensuring your flowers are a true centerpiece of your celebration.
10) Elevated Dinner-Party Receptions
Instead of a formal production, many couples want their reception to feel like the best dinner party they’ve ever hosted. Long tables, shared dishes, and candlelight create an atmosphere that’s relaxed but still elegant.
At SKY Armory: : We set up ballrooms that feel cozy and inviting, whether you want banquet-style seating or something more free-flowing. Your Venue. Your Way.
How to Style These Trends at SKY Armory
Urban Backdrops: Utilize our downtown streets or the rooftop next door for direct-flash candids after sunset, capturing the vibrant energy of the city.
Tablescape Design: Blend florals with edible elements (citrus, grapes, breads) for high-impact décor that delights the senses.
Content Capture: Add a wedding content creator or assign a friend squad for analog/digital behind-the-scenes moments, ensuring every candid detail is documented.
FAQs
Are micro-weddings cheaper? Often yes. Reports show they can cost about half (or less) than big weddings, allowing for more personalized experiences. We have an excellent intimate wedding package available at SKY Armory.
Is a sheet cake “formal” enough? Absolutely. Style them with florals or fruit to create a sophisticated dessert that suits any celebration.
Will candid photos age well? Yes! Documentary-style edits feel timeless because they capture real moments, preserving the essence of your day.
Ready to Plan?
Weddings today are about creating moments that matter. Gen Z couples aren’t afraid to break tradition, and that’s what makes their celebrations unforgettable! At SKY Armory, we bring those ideas to life with spaces and details that reflect who you are. Your wedding should feel like your story, told your way—and we’d love to help you tell it.
Start planning your stress-free, trend-forward celebration and book a tour at SKY Armory! We’ll handle the hard stuff so you can enjoy the best part: celebrating your love in a space that’s as unique as your story.
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