As wedding season approaches, Bozeman bridal shops are keeping a close eye on the potential impact of tariffs, which could lead to higher costs for brides-to-be.
Katalin Green, who has been part of Montana’s wedding industry for over two decades, says the sector is evolving and expanding with plenty of opportunities. However, with rising costs becoming a growing concern, Green, owner of Poppy Bride boutique, notes that many brides are rushing to place orders for their wedding dresses before prices increase further.
Earlier this year, President Donald Trump announced a 20% tariff on Chinese goods, followed by an additional 34% tariff, which has raised concerns for businesses reliant on imported goods, including the wedding industry. Many wedding gowns and materials are sourced overseas, and this could translate into higher price tags.
“There are not that many—I don’t know of any fabric producers in the U.S.—for the wedding industry,” Green says, acknowledging that the rise in tariffs will likely have a direct effect on costs.
While Green did not specify exact price ranges, she did confirm that brides could start noticing the impact, with increases expected to range between 10% and 20%, depending on the dress chosen. “Things are changing every day,” she adds, highlighting the uncertainty many bridal shops are facing as they try to plan ahead amidst fluctuating prices.
The average wedding cost in 2024 is estimated at $33,000, according to The Knot, but Green suggests that rising prices across the industry could push this figure higher. “Regardless of what the budget is, I would say that families budgeting for a wedding should expect to see at least a 10% increase,” she advises.
Despite these price hikes, Green notes that she hasn’t seen a significant uptick in couples opting to elope or scale down their weddings to avoid the rising costs. “I haven’t seen that anyone wants to elope because of the tariffs—that’s not happening,” Green says. However, she acknowledges that couples are increasingly aware of the potential for price increases as the wedding season progresses.
For now, bridal shops like Poppy Bride are navigating an unpredictable landscape, with couples carefully considering their wedding budgets as costs continue to rise.
