Cost-cutting tips for planning a wedding in a time of new tariffs

Weddings successful nan United States are often limited connected equipment imported from countries hit pinch caller tariffs.

Vendors and engaged couples are navigating higher prices and proviso worries aft President Donald Trump went to warfare complete waste and acquisition astir nan globe.

Exports from dozens of countries, including awesome centers for equipment specified arsenic trim flowers, wedding gowns, and decorations, are now taxable to other taxes erstwhile they scope nan U.S.

Wedding professionals see imaginable for pivots to replacement sources. Some recommendations for group who are readying a wedding while nan tariff business remains successful flux:

Rethink really you buy

Buy local. Buy from non-tariff countries. Buy used. Buy from vendors that committedness not to walk connected nan caller taxes.

Some businesses are breaking retired statement items stating what caller costs they’re imposing connected consumers. Some are not. Without that information, it’s harder to gauge value by price. Does thing costs $25 because it’s worthy $25 aliases because it’s a $10 point pinch a immense markup slapped on?

Dig into reviews if buying online. If buying offline, return an up-close look astatine textiles, candles, and different goods.

A storage by immoderate different sanction …

Katie Sexton successful Chicago is simply a task head for an world e-commerce shipping company. She’s besides getting joined successful June 2026. She has warehouse-size thoughts on getting astir tariffs.

The champion stake to spot nan afloat pricing image of an point is to find brands that are shipping it from wrong nan U.S., she said. A institution doing that will astir apt person adjusted their prices higher already to see nan tariff costs they incurred upon importing to nan warehouse.

That intends less surprises astatine checkout. Transparency is simply a friend arsenic nan tariff play plays out.

Work pinch existing inventory

Weddings are often dense connected rentals of each kinds: tables, chairs, linens, glassware, dinnerware, creation floors, lighting, and tents. And companies special-order items each nan time.

Tariff uncertainty has analyzable civilization orders because of pricing instability a twelvemonth aliases much earlier a wedding, said Morgan Montgomery, co-owner of nan rental institution Paisley and Jade successful Richmond, Virginia. She buys rental items from China.

“If they hold to make a determination now, we will request to re-quote, arsenic our suppliers are tweaking prices constantly,” she said.

The solution? Work pinch the existing inventory of your vendor, even if it stifles your imaginative vision.

Think agelong and difficult astir contracts

Vijay Goel, co-owner of Los Angeles venue 440 Elm and caterer Bite Catering Couture, is among wedding vendors pointing to nan request to tweak contracts. He recommends booking for rental equipment pinch a substitution clause. That would let a mates to move to thing other if nan value of an point rises person to their wedding date.

“Maybe Napa sparkling wines will make much consciousness than French Champagne? Select vendors that person a elastic mindset and nan expertise to thief you navigate choices,” Goel said.

No crystal shot required.

Is it a destination wedding? Pack it alternatively than vessel it

Jaime Coast, who designs wedding invitations and different stationery arsenic nan proprietor of nan online shop Cotton and Bow, precocious had clients successful nan U.S. get married successful Canada. They needed insubstantial equipment shipped to their wedding planner earlier their large day.

“I tried to estimate what nan taxes would beryllium successful beforehand connected nan Canadian authorities website, but nan calculators hadn’t been updated yet. What was estimated to beryllium a $60 measure turned into a $500 measure upon pickup,” she said.

Her tip? Bring items pinch you erstwhile imaginable and debar shipping altogether.

Not each flowers are created equal

Kimberly Sisti, owner, lead florist, and wedding planner for Sisti & Co. successful San Diego, said prices are already retired of control. 

And that includes U.S. growers who are seeing higher request and whitethorn beryllium taking advantage of tariff chaos by raising prices.

She has an different tip: Look for a florist whose prices already good transcend business costs.

“If you person a patient markup connected your labour and goods, past a 10% tariff shouldn’t break nan slope and impact your customers astatine all,” she said. “In fact, you tin astir apt sorb nan costs and support your clients assured and happy.”