CLEVELAND — The ongoing tariff increases could have an unexpected effect on couples planning their weddings, potentially adding financial strain to an already costly event.
At a recent bridal show in Cleveland, couples were seen meeting with vendors in preparation for their big day. Among them was Amy Finkenthel, owner of Noteriety Invitations, a company specializing in wedding invitations for the past 30 years. Finkenthel understands the intricate planning and substantial investment that goes into a wedding, and she has always worked to maintain competitive pricing. However, the recent rise in tariffs could soon make that increasingly difficult.
“Two of my biggest accounts are based in China and India,” Finkenthel explained. “The Indian supplier is one of the largest paper providers for wedding invitations worldwide, and we are all very concerned about the potential impact.”
Finkenthel’s concerns are shared by many in the wedding industry, including brides-to-be. Monica Thompson, who is planning her wedding for May 2025, expressed uncertainty about how the tariff hikes could affect her wedding budget. She anticipates having to make tough decisions on where to cut costs.
“You might have to either increase your budget for something like your dress or find other areas to trim down,” Thompson said. “It’s about balancing everything to still have your dream wedding without going over budget.”
The increasing costs driven by tariffs may force couples like Thompson to make sacrifices when it comes to their wedding vision. As she pointed out, many brides have been dreaming about their wedding day for years and would prefer not to compromise on their ideal celebration.
“I don’t want to have to make cuts in the areas I’ve been dreaming about for so long,” she said. “But at the end of the day, you just want to have a perfect day.”
Thompson, who has some time before her wedding, hopes to find a wedding dress within her budget, ideally purchasing one locally. However, she is aware that if the fabric is imported, the price may exceed her expectations due to the tariff increase.
For Finkenthel, the uncertainty surrounding tariffs has added a layer of stress to her business, but she continues to focus on providing excellent service to her clients.
“There’s so much happening at once, and this tariff situation is particularly concerning,” she said. “It feels very real now, and I’m keeping a closer eye on it than ever.”
According to the wedding planning website The Knot, the average cost of a wedding in Ohio is just over $28,000, which is below the national average of $33,000, or approximately $284 per guest. As tariffs continue to rise, both vendors and couples may face new financial challenges in their wedding planning.
