Growing up in Indonesia, many of us were taught to believe that a wedding should be a grand celebration. Luxurious venues, elegant decorations, hundreds of guests, and extravagant receptions are often seen as symbols of success and happiness. For a long time, I also believed that this was what a dream wedding was supposed to look like.
However, as I entered university and began observing the realities around me, my perspective gradually changed. Conversations with friends, discussions in class, and stories shared on social media made me realize that marriage is far more than a one-day celebration.
What truly matters is not how impressive the wedding looks, but how prepared a couple is for the life they will build together afterward.
Recently, I have noticed that more young Indonesians are choosing intimate weddings instead of large receptions. In my opinion, this is more than just a social media trend. It reflects a meaningful shift in priorities.
Rather than spending an enormous amount of money on a single event, many couples now prefer to invest in their future by saving for a home, building an emergency fund, or preparing for the financial responsibilities that come with marriage.
As a university student, I find this change encouraging. It shows that many members of Generation Z are beginning to question long-standing social expectations.
Instead of asking, “How can we organize the most luxurious wedding?” many are asking a different question: “How can we build a stable and meaningful life together?” To me, this question is far more important.
A wedding ceremony may only last for a day, but marriage itself is a lifelong commitment. Once the celebration is over and the guests return home, couples still need to manage everyday responsibilities such as paying rent, covering household expenses, planning for future children, and dealing with unexpected financial challenges. These realities require careful planning rather than temporary luxury.
According to reports published in 2024, the cost of hosting a wedding in Indonesia can reach approximately IDR 500 million to IDR 1 billion for a large reception held in a luxury hotel with hundreds of guests. Such an amount is significant, especially for young adults who are just starting their careers.
Considering today’s economic conditions and the rising cost of living, it is understandable why many couples prefer to allocate part of their wedding budget toward savings or investments instead.
Another reason why intimate weddings have become increasingly popular is the changing financial situation faced by young adults today. Many university graduates enter the workforce while still dealing with economic uncertainty, rising housing prices, and increasing living expenses.
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Under these circumstances, spending an enormous amount of money on a wedding celebration may not always be the most practical decision. Instead, many couples believe that financial stability should come before social recognition.
Starting a marriage with savings or an emergency fund can provide greater peace of mind than beginning married life with financial pressure.
In my view, choosing a simple wedding does not reduce the beauty or sacredness of marriage. On the contrary, it can reflect responsibility, maturity, and thoughtful financial planning.
Marriage should not be measured by the number of guests or the size of the venue, but by the commitment of two people who are ready to support one another throughout their lives.
Unfortunately, social media often encourages unrealistic comparisons. We constantly see beautiful wedding photos, luxurious decorations, and extravagant celebrations that can make people feel pressured to create a similar event.
Yet every couple has different financial circumstances, family backgrounds, and personal priorities. There is no universal definition of the perfect wedding.
Family expectations also play an important role in shaping wedding decisions. In many Indonesian families, parents and relatives often hope to invite extended family members, neighbors, and colleagues to celebrate together.
While these expectations come from good intentions and cultural traditions, they can sometimes create additional pressure for young couples.
I believe that open communication between parents and children is essential so that both generations can understand each other’s perspectives. Respecting traditions is important, but adapting them to today’s economic realities is equally necessary.
As a university student, I believe it is important for young people to start discussing financial literacy long before planning a wedding.
Topics such as budgeting, communication, financial management, and long-term planning deserve just as much attention as wedding themes or decorations. Building a healthy marriage starts with building a strong foundation.
Another important aspect that should not be overlooked is the emotional impact of financial decisions at the beginning of a marriage. Starting married life with unnecessary financial burdens can create stress and conflicts that might have been avoided through careful planning.
A wedding celebration is undoubtedly a meaningful milestone, but it should not become a source of long-term financial pressure.
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I believe that couples who prioritize open communication about money before marriage are more likely to build stronger and healthier relationships. Financial transparency, mutual understanding, and shared goals are just as important as love itself.
I believe that lasting happiness cannot be bought through a lavish celebration. Instead, it grows from mutual understanding, trust, responsibility, and the willingness to face life’s challenges together.
If choosing an intimate wedding allows a couple to begin married life with greater financial security, then it should be seen as a wise and respectable decision rather than a compromise.
Ultimately, every couple has the right to celebrate their marriage according to their own dreams, values, and financial abilities. There is nothing wrong with organizing a grand wedding, just as there is nothing wrong with choosing a simple one.
What truly matters is that the decision reflects genuine readiness rather than social pressure or the desire to impress others.
As members of Generation Z, we have the opportunity to redefine what success in marriage truly means. Instead of measuring happiness by the size of the reception or the number of guests, we can focus on values such as commitment, mutual respect, emotional maturity, and financial responsibility.
These qualities may not appear in wedding photographs, but they are the foundation of a lasting relationship. In my opinion, this shift in mindset reflects a healthier and more realistic approach to marriage in today’s world.
Perhaps this is one of the most meaningful changes taking place among Generation Z today. More young people are beginning to understand that investing in a secure future is far more valuable than creating a single day of luxury.
After all, people may remember how beautiful a wedding looked, but the true success of a marriage is determined by how two people continue building a meaningful life together long after the celebration has ended.
Penulis: Tasya Nur Alika Rahmah
Mahasiswa Akuntansi Sektor Publik Universitas Harkat Negeri (UHN)
Dosen Pengampu: Muchammad Sofyan Firmansyah
Editor: Ika Ayuni Lestari
Bahasa: Rahmat Al Kafi
