SAN ANTONIO — As wedding season nears, San Antonio brides are encountering unexpected expenses—not due to inflation, but tariffs—sending the cost of wedding gowns and formalwear soaring.
Local bridal shops are reporting steep price increases, with some dresses costing several hundred dollars more than usual. At Bridal Connection at Stone Oak, boutique manager Angelita Sorensen said tariffs have directly impacted inventory prices.
“A dress from our Bridgerton collection that used to be $2,400 is now about $2,700,” Sorensen said. “We’re absorbing part of the cost, but we do have to pass some of it on to our customers. So what used to be a $1,500 dress is now more like $1,700.”
Sorensen stressed that the boutique prioritizes transparency with its clients. “We’re honest up front. We explain that prices have increased due to tariffs. But for brides planning ahead, we also offer a bridal registry to help spread out the cost,” she said.
Brides like Rudy Rodriguez, who is preparing for an October wedding, are feeling the pinch. “We went in looking for the dress and found out that tariffs were a part of the price,” Rodriguez said. “Now, when we order something, there’s an added fee. We’ve learned to budget with extra cushion.”
Others, like bride-to-be Ariel Gomez, faced even more dramatic complications. After her original gown was canceled, she had to buy a replacement dress—at an additional $200. “It was horrible,” Gomez recalled. “Now my fiancé is trying to find a tux, and he’s shocked at the prices. He said, ‘I can’t pay $100 for a tux!’ It’s insane.”
Still, Gomez keeps her focus on the bigger picture. “At the end of the day, it’s not about the money. It’s about the moment, the celebration. The stress is worth it. It’s definitely worth it.”
As couples in San Antonio adapt to higher wedding costs, many are finding creative solutions to manage budgets while still making their special day unforgettable.