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The Potential Impact of US Tariffs on Wedding Vendors

By Tony Syros

How global trade policy is reshaping wedding vendor operations—and what to do about it.

If you’ve noticed rising costs for flowers, attire and alcohol lately, you’re not alone—and you’re not imagining things. In early 2025, the White House enacted a sweeping set of tariffs on imported goods from countries like China, Mexico and Canada. And while services like advertising or software remain untouched, wedding vendors who rely on imported products may soon feel the impact.

The effects aren’t always immediate, but they are real. Wholesalers are adjusting prices, some vendors are rethinking sourcing strategies and others are looking for ways to maintain profitability without passing on every increase to clients. It’s a delicate balance between protecting margins and supporting couples through one of the most meaningful moments of their lives.

Because while you can’t control the global trade market, you can start to create a plan for how your business responds.

What are tariffs and why do they matter now?

Tariffs are taxes placed on imported goods—usually to encourage domestic buying or rebalance trade. When they go up, the cost of bringing in materials from other countries goes up too. That cost doesn’t stay on the docks; it moves through the supply chain, often landing with small business owners like you.

In early 2025, the White House introduced a new round of tariffs that directly affect many of the materials used across the wedding industry. At the time of writing, these include but are not limited to:

• A 125% tariff on goods imported from China
• A 25% tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada (with some exceptions)
• A 10% blanket tariff on nearly all other imports

However, the exact numbers are continually changing. Keep an eye on finance outlets, like Investopedia, for the latest updates.  

Unlike services like advertising, physical goods are the focus here. That means imported flowers, alcohol, décor, furniture, fabrics and equipment are all under new cost pressure.

For many vendors, this adds a layer of complexity to every wedding. It’s not just about picking a supplier—it’s about predicting if that supplier’s pricing will change mid-season or if their product will be delayed at customs. Even long-time vendor relationships may feel the strain, especially if international shipping is part of the equation.

The strength and vulnerability of a global wedding supply chain

Weddings are powered by a massive global supply chain. Imported fabrics, specialty blooms, A/V equipment and bar stock are just the beginning. Even small-scale weddings rely on products and materials sourced across multiple countries.

That global reach is often a strength. It’s what gives florists access to out-of-season stems, stylists a wide range of fabrics and silhouettes, and venues the ability to customize their inventory to every couple. Sourcing internationally opens the door to variety, quality and cost efficiency that domestic options sometimes can’t match.

But it also brings vulnerability. When tariffs or other economic disruptions affect trade or raise import costs, those effects ripple across the industry.

• Florists: Roses may come from Ecuador or Colombia. Vases could be imported from Europe or Asia. Packaging might arrive from a third supplier altogether.
• Dressmakers: As much as 90% of gowns sold in the U.S. are manufactured in China, according to Business Insider, with most domestic designers still depending on imported silks, lace and beading. Suits, ties and bridesmaid dresses often follow similar paths.
• Alcohol and bar services: Tequila and mezcal from Mexico, Canadian whisky, French wine—tariffs on these products raise costs for venues and bartenders who are already balancing tight margins.
• Rental companies: Many source furniture, lighting and structural event elements from overseas. Tariffs can affect not just cost but also lead times and availability—especially when paired with global shipping delays.
• Wholesale-dependent vendors: Even pros who don’t import directly may see increased prices from suppliers, pushing them to adjust, absorb or negotiate new terms in order to stay competitive and client-focused.

For vendors across the board, staying resilient means staying flexible—finding ways to adapt without losing sight of what makes their business unique.

“Buying American” 

As tariffs push up the cost of imported goods, some wedding vendors may pivot to domestic suppliers. In theory, sourcing locally can help avoid shipping delays, sidestep duties and create stronger relationships with homegrown businesses. In practice, the transition may be more complex for certain vendors and the materials they purchase.

The upside of sourcing local

For some vendors, domestic sourcing creates new opportunities. A florist near Napa sourcing local dahlias may find seasonal blooms that support both cost control and sustainability. Rental companies might discover U.S.-based manufacturers with faster turnaround times. And for planners or venues focused on community impact, local sourcing adds to the story couples want to tell.

Working with domestic partners also creates more visibility into lead times, supply chain reliability and customer service. For categories like signage, tabletop goods or edible favors, “Made in the USA” is already a popular selling point—and now a more strategic one too.

What makes it difficult

That said, not every product has a local equivalent. Many of the fabrics, embellishments and hard goods used in weddings simply aren’t produced in the U.S. at scale. And when they are, costs can be significantly higher due to labor and material differences.

Designers and rental companies, in particular, face real limits. A designer in New York City might find U.S.-made lace, but struggle to match the intricate hand-beading and sheer volume they used to import from Guangzhou. A rental company might locate a U.S. furniture builder, but custom orders could come with longer lead times and less pricing flexibility.

For many vendors, the goal shouldn’t be to replace all imports—but to diversify. A hybrid sourcing model, with a mix of international and domestic partners, can provide more control in a volatile market.

Which vendor categories are likely to be affected

Not all vendors are feeling the impact of tariffs in the same way. Those whose services depend on imported physical goods—especially in fashion, florals, beverages and rentals—are navigating the most immediate cost pressure. Here’s how key categories are being affected:

Florists

Many of the most in-demand wedding flowers—roses, ranunculus, anthurium, peonies—are grown in South America and shipped into the U.S. Wholesale suppliers are working hard to mitigate costs, but higher shipping fees and new duties on packaging and supplies are beginning to add up.

While fresh flowers remain the preference for most couples, some florists are exploring alternative pricing models, simpler arrangements or partial substitutions using locally grown stems or silk rentals. Still, with flowers considered a must-have, demand is expected to hold even as prices fluctuate.

Fashion vendors

As much as 90% of wedding gowns sold in the U.S. are made in China, according to Business Insider, and many of the rest rely on imported materials like lace, tulle, boning and beadwork. The 125% tariff on Chinese goods is placing immediate pressure on dressmakers, especially independent designers.

Some boutiques are adding temporary tariff surcharges or shifting sourcing to other countries—but even that takes time and often comes with its own costs. Dresses, suits and wedding party attire are unlikely to disappear from budgets, but many dressmakers are rethinking how they communicate pricing and set expectations with couples.

Food and beverage services

Liquor tariffs may be the most visible to couples at the bar. Tequila and mezcal from Mexico, whisky from Canada, and sparkling wine from France are all part of common wedding menus—and now subject to rising import fees.

Bar services and venues are responding in a few ways: swapping out high-tariff products, renegotiating supply contracts or building more flexibility into drink menus. 

Rental and equipment companies

Many rental companies source key inventory—like furniture, tableware, lighting and tents—from overseas manufacturers. Even items ordered months ago can face new costs if they’re still in transit. And reordering at tariff-adjusted prices may force some vendors to rethink their entire inventory strategy.

Rather than raising rates across the board, some are focusing on education and transparency with clients. A few are narrowing their offerings to avoid hard-to-stock items, while others are encouraging early bookings so they can lock in pricing with their own suppliers ahead of any additional changes.

Tech-driven vendors

Some of the most dynamic and interactive wedding pros—photo booth operators, DJs, photographers, videographers, and live artists—aren’t immune to tariff-related challenges, even if they don’t sell a physical product. Many rely on imported tech, equipment, or materials to power their services behind the scenes.

• Photo booths often depend on overseas printers, backdrops and lighting rigs. Even replacement parts—like lenses or ink cartridges—can now carry higher price tags or longer lead times.
• DJs and audio techs frequently source speakers, mixing boards, lighting rigs and mic systems from global brands. Tariffs on electronics or specific components could raise the cost of new setups or delay equipment upgrades.
• Photographers and videographers may be affected less by daily costs and more by long-term investments. Cameras, lenses, stabilizers and drones often come from Japan, China or Germany. Higher tariffs could increase repair costs, delay orders for new gear or force some pros to stretch the lifespan of older equipment.

Managing pricing uncertainty

For many vendors, the hardest part of navigating tariffs isn’t the cost itself—it’s the unpredictability. Wholesale prices are shifting, shipping timelines are in flux and long-term vendor contracts are harder to guarantee. That’s making pricing more complex across the board, especially for businesses that book far in advance.

Adapting how pricing is shared

Some vendors are updating their contracts to include language that allows for material cost adjustments—especially for high-volatility items like flowers or imported alcohol. These clauses aren’t about passing every increase on to couples, but about creating a shared understanding in case costs change after booking.

Florists, for example, may lock in a floral design style but build in flexibility around exact stem choices. Dress boutiques can introduce optional surcharges tied to sourcing shifts. Rental companies could flag specific items as “tariff-sensitive” in quotes so couples understand the risks before they commit.

The pressure on profit margins

While many vendors are working to shield their clients from major increases, absorbing costs isn’t always sustainable—especially for smaller teams or independent pros. Margins are tightening, and that’s influencing how vendors approach everything from restocking to advertising budgets.

Some are holding off on reordering large quantities of product. Others are narrowing their service menus or consolidating supplier lists. For pros who operate on seasonal cycles, like florists or rental companies, there’s also pressure to predict costs months before an item is even in hand.

The result is a new kind of flexibility—one that balances transparency with business sustainability. It’s not about raising rates for the sake of it. It’s about finding a pricing model that can hold steady in a market that isn’t.

Now that you understand what’s going on with tariffs, find out how to move forward with these 8 resilient strategies for vendors. 

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