BUSINESS OF EVENTS
How Tariffs are Impacting the Industry
By Meghan Ely I f you’ve noticed prices creeping up on event impact the wedding and events industry, from specialty items to everyday supplies. For planners, designers, and vendors alike, these added costs are shifting how we budget, source, and plan. In this article, we’ll break down how industry pros are adapting to stay ahead. Where tariffs are hitting hardest essentials, you’re not alone. A recent increase in tariffs on imported goods is starting to Are you noticing that your go-to supplies and gear are suddenly more expensive or harder to source? Tariffs on imported goods are making a dent in the cost of doing business for many event pros, especially those who rely on international products. “For us in photography and videography, it’s been equipment and production gear that have seen the biggest impact,” confirms Craig Peterman, Owner of Craig Peterman Photography & Videography. “Cameras, lenses, lighting gear, memory cards, all those little essentials have gotten more expensive. Even things like hard drives for storing client footage or batteries for our gear are costing more than they did just a year or two ago.”
And it’s not just gear. Those in product-based sectors like florals are feeling the squeeze just as quickly. Joan Wyndrum, Co-Founder of BloomsByTheBox.com, shares, “As a provider of flowers directly from the wholesale/grower market to our [couples], the impacts on our business were immediate. Unlike other industries where there may be some inventory stateside that is delaying the impact to consumers, the floral industry’s inventory rollover is very short.” From high-tech equipment to fresh blooms, these added fees are trickling down fast, forcing pros to get creative about managing costs. Adjusting pricing to keep up Rising prices naturally raise a big question: how much of that increase do you absorb, and how much do you pass on to your clients? It’s a tough balance. “As our suppliers have done, we have priced to absorb some of the increase, but it’s simply not feasible to sustain the full impact of the tariffs,” notes Wyndrum. “The inescapable fact is that the effect of the tariffs across all industries will be felt by the end user—the consumer.” Some businesses have started making gradual price adjustments to account for new supplier costs, while others are introducing small service fees or revising package
It’s not about squeezing
clients—it’s about staying sustainable and delivering the same quality experience without
compromising your business.
6
SPECIAL EVENTS SUMMER 2025
Powered by FlippingBook