ROCKY RIVER, Ohio (WOIO) – Brides saying “yes to the dress” may soon face higher prices as the impact of import tariffs begins to affect wedding gown costs.
Scott, owner of Radiant Bride in Rocky River, anticipates a price increase of 10% to 12% on wedding dresses in the near future. “We have not adjusted our price tags yet, but we are about to,” Scott explained. The rising costs are attributed to the tariffs on imported goods, particularly those from China, which dominates the U.S. wedding dress market.
Scott emphasized that while the store is doing everything it can to maintain prices, brides may soon see an increase of $200 to $300 on their gowns. “We are hoping that the surcharge on bridal gowns can be adjusted on their end within the overall wedding budget,” he added.
Approximately 90% of the wedding dresses sold in the U.S. are produced in China, which is where most of the gowns at Radiant Bride are sourced. Scott expressed concern over the belief that tariffs would encourage the return of wedding dress manufacturing to the U.S. “We don’t have the infrastructure for it. We don’t have the skill set for it,” he said. “A lot of handwork, beading, and appliqués require skilled sewers.”
Scott recently returned from the Chicago Bridal Market, where the effects of tariffs were a central topic. Bridal shop owners are grappling with how to handle the added costs of hundreds of dresses that have already been ordered but will take months to arrive.
Despite the price challenges, Scott remains optimistic about the future. “What we do know is that brides are going to get married,” he said. “People are falling in love, and they are going to get married no matter what. We are here to serve them.”
