Jump to Youtube Video

And What You Can Do About It

Hey there, CEO! If you’ve been feeling like pricing is bananas, leads are a little wonky, and couples are ghosting you longer than ever before… CEO, you’re not imagining it. Tariffs, inflation, and supply chain chaos are shaking up our industry in real time—and if we don’t adjust, we’re going to be left wondering where all the inquiries went.

Here’s the good news: chaos is not new. And for those of us willing to adapt, it’s a golden opportunity to rise above the noise and lead with confidence.

In this episode of the Wedding Pro CEO podcasst, I’m breaking down the top ways tariffs are impacting the wedding industry right now—and the exact strategies you can implement today to make sure your business not only survives… but thrives.

1. Prices Are Up—and So Are Client Anxieties

“Tariffs, inflation, supply chain chaos. Everything is getting more expensive, especially in the wedding industry. Florals up, dresses up. Food. Don’t even get me started.” — Brandee Gaar

Let’s face it: the cost of goods has skyrocketed. Between tariffs on imported goods and a shaky global supply chain, expenses for dresses, rentals, florals—you name it—have gone up. That pressure trickles right down to your clients.

In fact, The Knot recently reported that 72% of couples are experiencing financial anxiety about their wedding budget in 2025. That means they’re more hesitant to book quickly and way more conscious of where every dollar goes.

Download the The Knot’s report here: https://pros.weddingpro.com/report/the-knot-real-weddings-2025-vendor-report/?utm_source=weddingpro-email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=USV-realweddingsstudy-Q12025

✨ What to do:

• Be proactive in your pricing strategy
• Educate your clients on why prices are shifting (and how you’re helping them make smart choices)
• Set expectations early to build trust and avoid sticker shock

2. Uncertainty Is Crippling Lead Flow

“Couples are really evaluating how they’re gonna spend their budgets and when they’re gonna get married… which is affecting lead flow.”

You know what’s wild? We’re seeing both short-term bookings and long-term delays. Some couples are making decisions in a snap, while others sit on proposals for 6–8 weeks 😵‍💫. It’s like the lead flow is playing jump rope with your calendar.

✨ What to do:

• Track your data religiously—what’s your average inquiry-to-booking timeline right now?
• Adjust your sales follow-up strategy to nurture longer leads without sounding desperate
• Build flexibility into your calendar to handle last-minute bookings (but don’t lose boundaries!)

3. This Economy Separates the Good from the Great

“Anyone can book clients in a booming economy… but in an uncertain economy, strategy has to be employed.”

I say this with love—this is not the time to be winging it. If you came into the industry during the 2021 boom, you might not have built the business muscles needed to withstand a rollercoaster economy. That’s okay! This is your chance to build them.

✨ What to do:

• Stop guessing—start strategizing
• Audit your marketing funnel: Are your leads coming from where you think they are?
• Identify where you’re leaking revenue and fix those holes

💡 Need help with this? Book a free Gap Assessment with my team and we’ll walk you through it.

4. Transparent Communication Builds Confidence

“Couples are nervous… so I want you to have transparent communication.”

Now more than ever, our clients need reassurance. If they’re hesitant, it’s not because they don’t value you—it’s because they’re afraid of what’s coming. When you open up about how your business is handling potential tariff-related cost changes, you build confidence and trust.

✨ What to do:

• Create an FAQ page or email template that addresses pricing shifts
• Be crystal clear in your contracts (Need help with that? Go listen to Episode 291 with Paige Griffith)
• Don’t wait until clients ask—bring it up first

5. Flexible Offers Win More Clients (But Don’t Discount!)

“What I don’t want you to hear me say is: discount, discount, discount.”

Tariffs don’t mean you slash your prices. Nope. What they do mean is: get smart. Offer packages that meet clients where they are today, without cheapening your brand.

✨ What to do:

• Create slimmed-down versions of your core offer
• Allow for add-ons later in the planning process (more on that in the next point!)
• Maintain your value by offering flexibility, not desperation

6. Upsells Are the Secret Sauce

“Get them in at your core offer… then offer things like uplighting, a photo booth, live musicians—whatever you do well.”

I’m obsessed with this strategy. Instead of trying to close a $10k package upfront (which feels scary to couples right now), close the $5k package first. Then, once they trust you and feel excited, offer value-adds that make their day unforgettable.

✨ What to do:

• Audit your offers: What’s a strong “starter” package?
• Create a nurture sequence to re-engage booked clients with upsells
• Schedule regular check-ins to introduce premium add-ons

7. Stay Informed—Even If It’s Messy

“I know that a lot of us are like, Ugh, I don’t wanna hear about it. But it does affect us in a big way.”

I get it—tariff talk can feel dry and political. But if it touches your inventory, your pricing, your timelines… then it’s already in your business. So let’s stay ahead of the curve instead of reacting when it’s too late.

✨ What to do:

• Subscribe to trade publications or small biz economy blogs
• Set a 15-minute calendar block weekly to catch up on news
• Talk to your vendors about their sourcing and pricing strategies

Wanna Be One of the Greats? Let’s Do It Together.

“You can win in any economy. You just have to know what’s working, what’s not, and be willing to change.”

If you’re reading this thinking, “I want that Brandee… I want to be one of the greats, but I need a little help,” I got you. My team and I have coached hundreds of wedding pros through crazy economies—and we’d love to help you too.

👉 Book your free Gap Assessment here
Let’s identify what’s working in your business—and what needs a little TLC—so you can scale with confidence (and calm).

FAQ

Q1: Are all wedding vendors impacted by tariffs?
Not all! But many vendors who rely on imported goods (florals, linens, dresses, decor) are seeing price jumps. It depends on where you source and how you structure your packages.

Q2: Should I rewrite my contracts to reflect tariff-related fees?
Yes! Especially if there’s a chance your pricing could change after booking. Check out Episode 291 for contract advice with Paige Griffith.

Q3: How do I handle clients who are “just not ready to book yet”?
Stay calm, stay nurturing. Create a drip email sequence or send regular check-ins. Give value without pressure—it builds trust and keeps you top of mind.

Q4: Is this a good time to start a wedding business?
YES! If you enter with a strategy-first mindset, you’re actually ahead of the pack. Most new vendors won’t adapt fast enough. That’s your edge.

Check out the video version of the podcast below. 👇
Subscribe, comment and share to support the channel.

💌For business inquiries: sayhello@weddingproceo.com