Halley Kate says she’s skipping a big wedding and defends her choice as a modern approach to marriage
- Feb 11
- 3 min read
11 February 2026
Halley Kate McGookin, the 25-year-old social media influencer, has ignited conversation online by openly defending her decision not to have a traditional big wedding ceremony when she marries her fiancé Reed Williams, explaining that the spectacle of a lavish event simply doesn’t align with her personal values or idea of what marriage should be. In a candid video shared on TikTok on February 10, she told her followers that from the moment she got engaged earlier this year she has been clear that she is not having a big wedding, a stance she says she has held since she was a teenager and one she feels strongly about sticking to now that she and Williams are planning to tie the knot.
In the video, Kate referenced the countless people who have asked her with excitement about her wedding plans, only for her to respond that there won’t be a traditional ceremony. She said that ever since she was 15 years old she didn’t want the big wedding experience and that even though many people assumed she would change her mind once engaged, she has not. Her straightforward reasoning struck a chord with many followers who might feel similarly about wedding culture but have not felt empowered to speak up about it publicly.
Kate stressed that her choice is not about disdain for celebration or love for her fiancé. Rather, she pointed to the mounting pressures and often unrealistic expectations surrounding big weddings from the extravagant budgets to bridal parties spending large amounts on showers, engagement shoots and bachelorette events and expressed her belief that the essence of a marriage is the legal and emotional commitment between two people, not the performance of an elaborate event. She told her audience that she doesn’t want to walk down an aisle and make all her friends and family stare at her just for the sake of tradition.
While Kate said she and Williams could certainly afford a larger celebration, she emphasized that she would rather put their resources toward experiences with meaningful personal value. She contrasted the idea of spending tens of thousands of dollars on a one-day event with using that money for a memorable trip or moments that could bring joy over time, pointing out that waking up after an expensive wedding and feeling like all that money is gone forever doesn’t appeal to her.
This is not the first time Kate has been candid about her personal life in ways that spark broader conversations online. Earlier in her influencer career she shared emotional reflections about her relationships and the complicated nature of navigating love and public attention, and she has occasionally faced scrutiny over how she shares her life on social media. But in this instance she appears determined to set her own terms for what a wedding means to her rather than adhere to conventions that feel performative or financially burdensome.
Kate also shared that while she and Williams won’t stage a large traditional wedding, they plan to have a courthouse ceremony and follow it with a small celebration with close friends and family. This approach, she said, still honors their commitment while removing the weight of a big production, allowing the focus to remain on their relationship rather than the trappings of a wedding industry spectacle.
The reaction from followers has been mixed, with many praising her honesty and applauding her willingness to normalize a more minimalist and personal version of marriage. Some have shared that Kate’s perspective helped them feel validated in their own decisions to forgo expensive or elaborate events in favor of intimate or unconventional celebrations. Others online have questioned her choice, arguing that weddings are meaningful rites of passage that should be commemorated with larger gatherings, or suggesting that skipping a big wedding could disappoint extended family and traditions.
These varied responses reflect a larger cultural debate about weddings and the expectations that surround them in the digital age, where social media often amplifies both aspirational and critical perspectives. Kate’s defense of her choice comes at a moment when many couples are rethinking how to celebrate marriage and what elements of tradition still hold value for them personally. For some, the idea of prioritizing experiences over expenses echoes a growing sentiment that weddings should reflect the unique priorities of the couple rather than societal norms or external pressures.
Ultimately, Kate’s message centers on autonomy and authenticity. By choosing to do what feels right for her and her partner, rather than conforming to expectations of what a wedding should look like, she has tapped into a broader conversation about redefining major life milestones in a way that aligns with individual values. Whether her choice becomes part of a wider trend or remains a personal decision, her openness has already sparked dialogue about how modern couples navigate the intersection of tradition, celebration and personal fulfillment.
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