Planning a wedding in Canada? Tariffs could blow your budget

And with wedding season in full swing, couples tying the knot this summer might need to brace for a steeper bill, thanks to tariffs.

A bouquet in hand, a photographer clicking away and glasses raised in celebration: for some Canadian couples, these wedding day hallmarks may come with rising costs.

And with wedding season in full swing, couples tying the knot this summer might need to brace for a steeper bill, thanks to tariffs.

But of course, it depends on where you’re buying your wedding essentials.

While the United States has slapped tariffs on Canada, the ones most likely to affect Canadian couples are those targeting goods from U.S. manufacturers, whether it’s your dress, photography, flowers or decor, explained Shir Buslovich, owner and lead planner for WGM Weddings Co., a Toronto-based wedding and events company.

The threat of tariffs has loomed since U.S. President Donald Trump took office, and while it can be hard to keep track of who’s taxing whom, one thing wedding experts like Buslovich agree on is this: their clients are worried.

Whether they’re getting married this summer or two years from now, there’s growing concern that wedding costs could skyrocket.

Many goods imported by U.S. companies from Canada and Mexico are now subject to a 25 per cent tariff, unless they meet specific rules under the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement on trade (CUSMA).

Most imports to the U.S. from China face a 30 per cent tariff as of May 12, a significant drop from a previous high of 145 per cent. Meanwhile, a universal 10 per cent tariff — at least — applies to most goods coming into the U.S. from other global trade partners.