RICHMOND, Va. – A new wave of tariffs is disrupting the wedding dress industry, leaving brides across the United States facing unexpected costs and difficult decisions.
Immediate Impact on Wedding Planning
Helping a bride select her dream wedding dress is an intimate process, according to Christine Greenberg, co-owner of Urban Set Bride in Richmond, Virginia. “You’re physically in someone’s space, helping them in and out of a dress,” she says. “The last thing I want to do is start talking about politics and global trade policy.”
However, tariffs have now entered the bridal fitting room. Couples are discovering that nearly all U.S. wedding dresses are manufactured abroad, primarily in China. According to the National Bridal Retailers Association, China accounts for 90% of the bridal gown market.
Key Details Emerge
Recently, a tariff of 145% on Chinese-made wedding dresses was temporarily reduced to 30%, but the uncertainty remains as negotiations continue between the two countries. Brides like Jessica Kaplan from Boston are being informed by store staff about a tariff surcharge ranging from 10% to 15%, depending on the designer and supply chain.
Jessica Kaplan’s dress cost an additional $150 due to tariffs.
Industry Response
Store owners are grappling with the challenge of budgeting for these tariffs. Claire Landgraf, owner of Finery Bridal Chic in Rochester, Minnesota, notes that wedding gowns are typically special orders, taking six to eight months to arrive. “What’s the landscape of tariff charging going to look like in six to eight months? We don’t know,” she explains.
Many designers, including popular names like Grace Loves Lace and Revelry, have raised prices across the board to cover new tariff costs, with some increasing by as much as 30%.
By the Numbers
- 90% of U.S. wedding dresses are made in China
- Tariffs on dresses temporarily reduced from 145% to 30%
- Brides are facing surcharges of 10% to 15% on gowns
Background Context
The push for tariffs is part of a broader strategy to encourage American manufacturing, yet the U.S. lacks the skilled labor needed for intricate gown production. The National Bridal Retailers Association has highlighted the absence of a domestic labor pool capable of producing the detailed craftsmanship required for wedding gowns.
“Unlike other industries, these dresses cannot be made in the United States,” the association stated in a lobbying letter to lawmakers.
Expert Analysis
Christine Greenberg expressed her desire to support American-made products but acknowledged the financial impracticality. “They don’t really exist at the price point that the average American consumer could purchase a wedding gown,” she said.
Meanwhile, some U.S. gown makers, including Maggie Sottero and Allure, have urged the government to exempt formalwear from tariffs, arguing that such measures could shutter businesses rather than create jobs.
What Comes Next
The price uncertainty is causing more brides to hesitate before committing to a dress. Landgraf notes a rise in “multiple-visit brides,” as shoppers take longer to make decisions. “This has been one of the slowest seasons that I have had from a buying standpoint since COVID,” she observes.
Brides are exploring alternative options, like commissioning custom-made dresses. Chelsea Ritchie from Los Angeles is considering hiring a dressmaker to create her dream gown, despite the potential need for imported materials.
“It does give me a little anxiety,” Ritchie admits. “It’s already been such a year for people, I mean, we can barely afford eggs, let’s be honest.”
The uncertainty surrounding tariffs continues to loom over the bridal industry, leaving brides and retailers alike to navigate these challenging times.