As thrilling as it may be, planning a wedding in 2025 is still a challenge. Consumer trends set the path for the wedding market with brides and grooms affected by inflation searching for deals to make their special day picture-perfect without breaking the bank.
A customer trends report shows the most common shoppers’ struggles and predicts shopping frustrations that consumers will face in 2025. The list of the most irritating 2025 consumer trends is topped by delivery delays, refund issues, Shrinkflation, and hidden fees for BNPL services. To avoid a wedding day disaster, couples planning their ceremony might be interested in possible bridal shopping pitfalls and tips to navigate them.
Studying consumer trends in 2025 in social media, along with inspiration, you can’t help but have high expectations. However, in most cases, the reality hits differently, especially with real-life budgets. The survey showed that 48% of couples find it difficult to accept the gap between how they want their wedding day to look on social media and what they can actually afford. It’s important to remind yourself that you’re doing it not for photos and likes.
Late delivery is a common inconvenience that most consumers have to face at least once in their lives. However, for a bride who’s got everything planned from scratch, it’s a nightmare came to life. Judging by more than 700,000 online reviews analyzed by PissedConsumer, delivery complaints peaked during major shopping events like Black Friday or Valentine's Day and seasonal spending shifts, like summer activities.
Taking into account that the average cost of a 2025 wedding hits a total of $36,000, it’s obvious why sales, special offers, and deals during these periods may be tempting. However, to avoid disappointment on your big day, you might consider shopping for your wedding during April, August, or September, the calm months when there’s a decline in complaint numbers.
Refund delays, billing disputes, and product value concerns impact consumers as they increasingly scrutinize their purchases. The consumer trends for a 2025 wedding include simplicity, leading to a more personalized approach to the ceremony. This is the result not of sheer sentiments, but also of the desire to cut the expenses.
Persistent delays in refunds for canceled services or returned items are among the most frequent consumer issues that may affect a wedding budget considerably. The surge of refund issue complaints also rises during seasonal sales in March, May, and November, meaning it may be better to shop earlier or wait until a safer period.
Shrinkflation became a significant consumer focus in 2024, particularly during the holiday season. Complaints about the issue rose in Q4, with 77% of consumers noticing shrinkflation while grocery shopping and 49% observing it across multiple food products. In 2025, buyers became increasingly alert about the adequacy of the products’ sizes to their cost, demanding price adjustments to match the product value.
When you need to think through such an important event as a wedding, there are no trifles in this matter. You wouldn’t want to discover you’re short on drinks or food during your wedding banquet. If you are willing to know what you’re paying for, it’s just about time to pay closer attention to what’s written on the packaging.
The growing consumer trend of using Buy Now, Pay Later services may become a lifesaver when you are planning something as big as a wedding. As of 2024, around 380 million consumers already use BNPL services globally, and the number is about to increase even more.
However, with the financial services popularity complaints about these platforms and their promotions grew by 20%, with consumers citing hidden fees, unclear repayment terms, and delayed resolutions. With the amount of money couples spend on the marriage celebration, they demand transparency with service terms and better support.
When choosing a wedding dress, a professional photographer, or a cake, don’t forget to check the reviews. Consumer insights are a practical source of information that can prevent you from making a mistake or draw attention to details you would normally ignore. Forums like Reddit or review platforms like PissedConsumer.com are valuable help in finding reliable brands and marketplaces. The chance of disappointment gets lower when dealing with vendors most consumers have positive experiences with.
To ensure your wedding day goes as planned and you’re not broke after the celebration, you need to focus on making informed decisions. Being aware of potential shopping frustrations, researching the vendors, studying customer reviews, and setting realistic expectations may prevent disasters from ruining your big moment.
© 2025 Created by Christine Dyer.
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