Tariffs are driving up the cost of saying ‘I do'

Chicago Tribune

3 days ago

As engaged couples plan their dream weddings this summer, an unforeseen economic force is increasingly impacting their decisions and budgets: the intricate and fluctuating world of global trade.
President Donald Trump's tariffs — and the accompanying rate changes, moratoriums and trade deals — are translating into higher costs for traditional wedding components, from floral arrangements to designer gowns and even the celebratory spirits that toast a new union.
Small business owners like Brandi Kenison at Lee Floral Design, a small Livonia, Michigan-based floral company that mostly supplies arrangements for luxury weddings, say this year's peak nuptials season has been more financially challenging than the COVID-19 pandemic, when curbs on indoor gatherings crippled many businesses.
'Obviously, during COVID, that made sense. (Now) it's very hard to put into words,' Kenison said. 'Will it (a new tariff) go through? How much will it go through? … It's really difficult for us to be transparent with our clients because we truly don't know.
'What's even harder is when prices on our end jump 25%, but we're contractually only able to raise the price by 10%. That means we absorb the difference, which quickly eats into our margins,' she said. 'It's definitely been a struggle.'
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 80% of all cut flowers sold in the United States are imported, with the primary sources being South American countries, notably Colombia and Ecuador. With current tariffs of 10% on Colombia and 15% on Ecuador, wholesalers, florists and ultimately, engaged couples face higher costs.
'When tariffs are placed on these imports, it inevitably drives up costs — not just for wholesalers and florists, but ultimately for the customer as well,' Kenison said. 'And it's not limited to just flowers. A lot of our day-to-day supplies, like vases, candles, and other staples, are sourced from countries like China, which means those items are also affected by tariffs, further increasing our overall expenses.'
Wedding planners say brides are also experiencing higher prices for dresses and facing shipping delays.
Meagan McPhail, owner of Mitten Weddings, said in an email that 'prices are up and timelines are longer' for dresses due to rising fabric costs. About 12.2 million wedding gowns are produced each year in China, and 70% of them are exported, according to Deep Wear.
'Even some U.S. designers still source their fabrics internationally, so it all adds up,' McPhail said.
Tariffs are adding to already pricey wedding costs that average $300 to $600 per person, according to wedding planners Emma and Rebecca Targett of Meriwether Social. The Ann Arbor, Michigan-based mother-daughter duo planned Sophie Partington and Nicholas Kuchar's Aug. 2 wedding at the Michigan League Ballroom.
'Now, more than ever, that conversation is a part of our everyday planning process with clients,' Emma Targett said. 'Things just cost more right now: food, floral, specifically. Anything that's really commodity-based like that, things that are very supply chain dependent.
'So much of our day-to-day now is explaining to clients that food costs more so these catering bills are higher, a lot of times venue minimums have gone up because they have to account for their increased food cost as well,' she said.
According to a survey conducted by The Knot of 741 engaged couples planning 2025 or 2026 wedding receptions, over half of the couples, or 53%, reported that tariffs had already impacted decisions about their celebrations. The survey also found that instead of reducing their overall budget, many couples are hiring professionals to navigate cost challenges, including booking well ahead of time to avoid paying more.
Take couple Lydia Karpack, 23, of Plymouth and Alex Winnie, 24, of Belleville, Michigan, who will tie the knot at Detroit's Book Tower on Aug. 30. The high school sweethearts got engaged in downtown Plymouth in May 2024 and sought out Meriwether Social to plan their downtown Detroit wedding that is expected to include 145 guests and cost over $75,000.
'There's definitely things that you see that number that a vendor gives you, it's a big number, you're a little shocked about it. Weddings are becoming such this big thing,' Karpack said. 'You really have to evaluate what you really want to splurge on and what's going to be worth it and what you can find alternative ways to get the same look you're going for. It's about balance.'
Since Karpack had the venue, photographer and DJ booked in early 2025, she effectively sidestepped some of the tariff-related price increases from vendors. Still, she was sticker-shocked by the prices of hydrangeas and tulips.
'A lot of florists have minimums. You have to start out at $5,000 or $10,000 for flowers and that doesn't include tax or the design fee,' she said. 'It's like that number, I think, scares people. It's a lot of money to spend on flowers. That was something we realized, 'let's find a different solution here and scale back a bit.''
She said 'no' to a huge arched floral wall but yes to the dress and veil she would wear from Magnolia Laine Bridal – Detroit. Cost for those: More than $3,000.
'My veil was pretty expensive,' Karpack said. 'I had no idea how much veils cost — for a couple yards of fabric, it's like $600. I was very shocked about that. I was going to do an Etsy veil for like $100, but matching the color up to a dress and you're looking at the color on a screen … it just gets way too stressful.'
Karpack said trimming the flower budget helped the couple afford their preferred reception site, the Book Tower.
'That was something we really wanted to splurge on and then find other ways to save around,' she said, 'so that we could still have the venue that we wanted.'