The FINANCIAL — Millennial couples break tradition, inviting mates along on their milestone celebrations
47 per cent of millennials have been on, or would consider going on, a ‘buddymoon’ – a honeymoon with friends and family invited.
Over a quarter of those aged 18-35 have also been involved in a ‘hag’ and ‘sten’ do, or a mixed-gender celebration for the bride and groom before they get married.
Nearly two-thirds of millennials say they are more likely to go on a group trip now than five years ago, and more than half (52 per cent) say it’s because they have more fun with a bigger group.
With a honeymoon costing an average of £3,630, financial considerations also come into play – one in six believes they save money with a group booking.
For millennials across the country, it’s mates before dates as the trend of friends joining traditionally two-person occasions becomes increasingly popular.
Research from Pingit – an app that allows for fast, easy payments and bill-splitting with just a mobile number – reveals that when it comes to pivotal life moments, sharing has replaced pairing. Nearly half (47 per cent)* of millennials have been on or would consider a ‘buddymoon’ and a further 52 per cent say they have more fun with a wider group of friends and family than with their partner alone.
The millennial mindset of ‘the more the merrier’ has been a trend in the making – with almost two-thirds (64 per cent) stating they are more likely to holiday with friends than they were five years ago – and applies to other cork-popping occasions.
A quarter (25 per cent) have now been on ‘hag’ and ‘sten’ dos, where both the hen and stag parties celebrate together. Group anniversary celebrations (26 per cent) and ‘friendgagements’, where those getting down on one knee invite their friends along to experience it (17 per cent), have also become popular with those aged 18-35.
With a honeymoon costing an average of £3,630, it’s no wonder some millennials are choosing to splash out with their squad to stretch every penny – regardless of the occasion. A canny one in six (17 per cent) believes they save money with a group booking and one in 10 (10 per cent) thinks bill splitting means they can order more and the cost is divided fairly. 14 per cent of those aged 18-35 also recognise that a group celebration may give them the chance to experience more expensive activities like renting a boat for the day.
Pingit released the findings to highlight the ways the app, with bill-splitting capabilities for up to 20 people, can help make group experiences even better, meaning that fun-seekers can concentrate on what matters – good times with their nearest and dearest.
The data revealed, for example, that letting loose with loved ones creates a special dynamic: A quarter (24 per cent) state they have more of a laugh in a bigger group and nearly one in five (19 per cent) says the conversation flows better than with just their partner. Almost a fifth (18 per cent) indicate that group experiences helps keep their relationship fresh and exciting.