Industry experts answer 10 of the most common questions on potential price increases, shipping delays, and shopping timelines.
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When shopping for your wedding dress, there are many different factors you’ll consider—from your preferred silhouette and neckline to the fabric and weight of the gown. However, in the current economic climate, there may be something else that plays a role in the piece you select: tariffs. As a result of the U.S. placing such import taxes on goods from foreign countries, the cost of your dress could be higher than anticipated.
While tariffs shouldn’t overshadow your wedding-dress shopping experience, understanding how they affect the bridal industry will help you stay within budget and find the gown of your dreams. However, these economic measures are also constantly changing, making the situation unpredictable for designers, salon owners, manufacturers, and, of course, brides. “What’s important to understand is everyone in the bridal industry is doing their best to react and respond proactively to these new measures,” says Allison Jadallah, the owner of Julietta Bridal.
Ahead, industry experts answer the most common questions regarding wedding dresses and tariffs.
Is it true that many dresses are manufactured in countries likely to be subjected to high tariffs from the U.S.?
Simply put, the answer is yes. “A majority of bridal dresses, along with fabrics, lace, embellishments, and other decorative elements are manufactured in Asia in countries such as China, Vietnam, and India, which dominate production and supply many of the materials used to make wedding dresses,” says Temidayo Olaleye, an assistant professor in the Supply Chain Management department at Rutgers Business School. “Over time, these countries have become huge industrial powerhouses in the bridal manufacturing sector, making the U.S. bridal industry reliant on them. As a result, any increase in tariffs will have an impact on the cost of wedding dresses.”
Kelly Cook, the CEO of David’s Bridal, echoes this sentiment. “The new tariffs will affect production that takes place in these countries,” she says. “This will likely lead to price increases in the coming months, especially on intricate designs that require more materials from these countries.” It’s important to note this challenge also spreads beyond Asia. “Many high-end fabrics are sourced and their gowns [are] produced in European countries like Italy and France, who will also feel the impact of tariffs,” Jadallah says.
Will tariffs affect dress production timelines?
It ultimately depends on the designer. “A three-to-four-month delay is expected, although it will vary based on materials and demand for specific styles and fabrics,” says Cook. Jadallah says that while she’s not anticipating significant delays as of now, there could be a domino effect if materials are harder to obtain. As a result, she advises brides to shop well in advance of their big day. “A six-to-eight-month timeline could still be safe, but I’ve always advised brides to consider a nine-month lead, which alleviates stress, ensuring there’s ample time to do alterations,” she says. “It also removes the risk of being impacted by any kind of unexpected rush fees.”
With the ever-changing situation, it may be best not to wait long before purchasing your gown. “The timeline will remain uncertain as several factors in the current economic climate continue to influence the market,” Olaleye says. “Brides may want to take advantage of available inventory at the current prices.” Know that if certain materials become too expensive, designers and retailers may need to source alternatives from countries with lower tariffs. “This shift could cause production delays and increase transition costs,” says Lara Mahler, the founder and CEO of The Privilege Is Mine.
Can tariffs contribute to supply chain challenges?
Absolutely. “We've already seen this firsthand,” says Jadallah. “Confusion around tariffs has caused gowns to get delayed at ports, stuck in customs, or arrive unexpectedly with steep tariff fees that we’ve been forced to pay with no advance notice or clear explanation.”
Will accessories such as veils see similar price hikes?
It's not just your wedding dress you have to worry about; your bridal accessories could be impacted by tariffs, too, our experts agree. “These materials will also see price increases, depending on the materials involved in production,” says Cook. “Many veils use more intricate designs and less common or harder-to-source materials, which will further the cost inflation and can increase shipping delays.”
Jadallah agrees that veils and other wedding-day accessories will likely be impacted. “Accessories fall within the same challenges,” she says. “Even brands made in the states may be sourcing their materials from other countries.”
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Will bridal salons and designers absorb these price increases?
Some salon owners may choose to absorb such cost increases, viewing them as a necessary adjustment to the current business climate. However, that may be a temporary solution, especially if the U.S. decides to increase tariffs further. “Others may initially shoulder the added expenses but eventually pass them onto customers,” says Olaleye. “Regardless of the approach, the financial burden will ultimately fall on someone.” Mahler says it will ultimately depend on the salon and their finances. “Smaller shops and independent designers usually operate on pretty tight budgets, so they probably won’t be able to take on a lot of the extra cost without raising prices,” she says.
Jadallah says that’s certainly the case for her. “As a self-funded small business, it would be impossible to absorb the increases entirely,” says Jadallah. “How we manage that, I still can’t say. As of now, I’m committed to brides who have already placed deposits on their gowns—they will not be impacted as I will take on any additional increases. For future brides, it will likely be part of the budget discussion, so they don’t feel blindsided if an increase is required.”
Even as a large retailer, David’s Bridal faces the same challenge. “We are doing everything in our power not to pass on any additional costs associated with tariffs on to our customers,” Cook says. “We’re hyperaware now is a time of economic uncertainty for brides, so we’re hosting sample sales around the country where brides can get archival and sample bridal gowns worth $1,000-$3,000 for as little as $25-$75. While not a long-term solution, offering lower prices during this time helps ensure that brides who have been blindsided by the tariffs can still find dresses they love.
How much will the price of wedding dresses increase?
It’s hard to know, as tariffs continue to be paused, decreased, or raised with no prior warning. “There’s no way to know exactly how much supplies will increase just yet; however, estimates show it will likely be between 10 to 30 percent, based on materials and the manufacturing country,” says Cook. “Simpler and domestically sourced materials will fall on the lower side of that range, and materials such as lace, beading, and silk will likely see the biggest increase, due to higher production and shipping costs. That being said, brides should budget 10 to 30 percent more than they would typically expect to pay for a dress.”
You may need to reconsider your gown-shopping strategy, especially if you’re on a fixed budget. “If a bride has her heart dead-set on a specific dress or designer and worries the dress will be pushed outside of her budget, I recommend looking for stores willing to part with samples,” says Jadallah.
What questions should a bride ask when shopping for a dress?
While you may know the typical questions to ask when dress shopping, there are a number of new ones the experts recommend adding to your list, as a result of the tariffs, including:
- Where is this gown made?
- Are there any potential delays with this designer, and what happens if there are shipping delays?
- Should I expect any price changes soon?
- Has the designer communicated any possibility of price changes with you thus far?
- Once I purchase a dress, can the price change? Will I have to pay more than I originally agreed to?
Can the price increase on a dress that’s already ordered?
“If the dress was ordered before the tariff came into effect, then one can expect the retailer will honor the original price,” says Olaleye. “But for orders placed after tariff implementation, a price increase should be expected.” If you’re unsure of whether or not the price of your dress is subject to change, Mahler recommends looking over your contract or invoice. “Some designers may have clauses for unexpected cost increases,” she adds. Cook encourages brides to be mindful of potential delays. “I urge brides to stay close to their retailer to ensure their dress will arrive with plenty of time to make any changes ahead of their wedding dates.” she says.
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Should brides consider U.S.-based designers?
Absolutely. “Tariffs are intended, in part, to encourage domestic manufacturing,” Olaleye says. “Shopping locally is an excellent way to support U.S.-based businesses especially when the dress is designed and manufactured in the U.S. But bear in mind the potential for higher dress prices made domestically due to labor costs. It’s also yet to be seen whether these tariffs will effectively boost more domestic manufacturing or prompt bridal businesses to diversify their sourcing to countries not subject to the new trade restrictions.”
What about pre-owned wedding dresses?
Buying a pre-owned gown is always a great option to consider. “Since most wedding dresses are worn only once, you’re really getting something practically new,” Mahler says. Buying a pre-owned dress can also save you a lot of money, allowing for a substantial discount on a gown that would typically be more expensive. “You may be able to snag a designer dress for a fraction of the cost, leaving room in your budget for accessories, alterations, or whatever else you may need,” she adds. “Many pre-owned dresses are from past collections or limited editions, so you could end up with something really special that’s no longer in stores.”
An alternative option is to ask if a salon has any inventory samples they’re willing to sell off the floor. “Sample dresses are typically discounted, and unlike pre-owned dresses, are not hemmed or altered,” Jadallah says.
Originally published on Brides.com.