Brides nowadays are cutting costs drastically with the new 'anti-bride' trend and there's more to it

Times have changed and many women do not look forward to being traditional brides anymore. It makes sense because wedding planning can be stressful for some. The myriads of decision-making they do to get their big day right is neither easy nor cost-effective. So, many women opt not to have such overwhelming responsibilities when starting a new life with their partner. As per TODAY, the "anti-bride" trend on TikTok is favored by many soon-to-be-wed couples, who would rather have a minimalistic and discreet ceremony than the usual expensive weddings.

Who is better to talk about this "anti-bride" trend than wedding planners and photographers? They get to observe a lot of weddings in a year and get a hold of the changing preferences. One such editorial photographer, Nikki Baker–who goes by @nikkibakerphotography on TikTok–noticed the increase in anti-brides and posted a video last October, sharing her favorite "anti-bride" moment. "When your bride oozes anti-bride vibes so their cake-cutting photos look like this," read the text on the video. A slideshow of candid pictures showed a couple dressed in a not-so-traditional wedding attire enjoying a cake-cutting moment in a meadow. Apparently, there were no guests and it was a beautiful private celebration. 

Baker's video gained over 1.2 million views on TikTok and some people were keen to know about the "anti-bride" trend. So Baker shared a response video where she explained the concept. "It's a more relaxed version of what most people would consider a traditional wedding," said the photographer. "Think of it more of an editorial, creative, just a relaxed vibe, not taking anything too seriously," she added. Explaining why the bride in the previous video was an "anti-bride," Baker said that the woman was not in a traditional wedding dress and the celebration had no one else but the couple and the photographer in the middle of a meadow. They were just casually eating cake, drinking wine and taking pictures like it was just another day. 

Another TikTok user, Laura Knaak (@knaakwell), vouched for the "anti-brides" trend and said she would prefer not to have a wedding. Apart from the staggering expenses, she felt that weddings also bring about fits of anxiety to the bride. "I simply cannot imagine standing up there on the altar and having the most intimate moment of my life with my partner while all these eyes are on us," she said. She didn't want that moment to be taken away from her because of the discomfort and anxiety. The bride-to-be cared the least to disturb her mental health with all the wedding planning and expenses. She would rather cut wedding costs and invest in a house. 

Her "unpopular" opinion went viral with over 652K views and many "anti-brides" shared the same opinion in the comments. "We're having a tiny wedding of only 14 guests in an Airbnb we rented for the week in Scotland and doing private vows! I cannot deal with traditional weddings," commented @angiebunnn. "I've convinced my fiancé to have a destination elopement and have a reception back home. Happy to see more women doing the same," wrote @haveealilfaithh. "I've always felt like weddings are for show and are more for the guests than the actual couple. I get wanting to share such a special day with close ones," commented @indigopendigo.