The Knot Worldwide has agreed to acquire wedding-planning competitor Zola in a transaction that would expand its reach across the U.S. wedding services market, even as the company faces scrutiny over its business practices and relationships with smaller vendors.
The agreement, announced Wednesday, will bring Zola into a portfolio that includes The Knot, WeddingWire, WeddingPro and Hitched. Financial terms were not disclosed, according to the New York Post, which reported details of the transaction and the regulatory concerns surrounding the buyer.
Zola is expected to continue operating as a separate brand following completion of the acquisition. The transaction remains subject to customary closing conditions, including any necessary regulatory approvals, the companies said.
The combination would bring together two prominent digital platforms serving couples and wedding professionals. Both businesses offer wedding websites, gift registries, planning tools and services connecting customers with vendors, including photographers, florists and other event specialists.
The acquisition would increase The Knot Worldwide’s portfolio to 14 brands operating across 11 countries, according to the company’s announcement.
Deal Raises Questions About Market Concentration
The transaction comes at a sensitive time for The Knot Worldwide, which has faced criticism from wedding vendors over advertising contracts, customer referrals and the cost of acquiring business through its platforms.
According to the New York Post, Sen. Chuck Grassley, an Iowa Republican, called on the Federal Trade Commission in October 2025 to examine allegations involving the company’s treatment of small businesses.
Grassley said his office had received nearly 200 complaints from wedding professionals. Vendors alleged that they were charged for advertising services that generated questionable customer inquiries or failed to deliver expected results. Some also complained about difficulties terminating contracts, the newspaper reported.
The Knot Worldwide has denied engaging in deceptive or fraudulent business practices.
In February 2026, FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson responded to Grassley’s concerns, acknowledging that the alleged conduct, if substantiated, could raise issues under federal consumer protection laws, according to correspondence described by the Post.
Ferguson did not confirm whether the agency had opened an investigation, citing restrictions on disclosing nonpublic enforcement matters.
The acquisition could bring renewed attention to The Knot Worldwide’s position in the wedding services industry, although it remains unclear whether federal antitrust authorities will conduct an extensive review.
The New York Post previously reported that the company’s acquisition of wedding startup Simply Eloped had also prompted concerns among some industry participants about increasing consolidation.
Zola Executives Seek to Reassure Vendors
Zola’s leadership has moved to address potential concerns among wedding professionals who depend on the platform to attract customers.
In an internal communication obtained by the New York Post, Zola co-Chief Executive Officer Shan-Lyn Ma said the company intended to preserve stability for vendors while exploring opportunities created by the transaction.
Ma and fellow co-CEO Rachel Jarrett are expected to continue overseeing Zola and eventually join The Knot Worldwide’s executive leadership team after the deal closes, according to the newspaper.
Zola also indicated that business customers would receive advance notice before significant changes involving integration or cross-platform services.
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The assurances reflect the importance of maintaining vendor relationships in a business model that depends heavily on connecting wedding professionals with prospective clients.
The Knot Worldwide CEO Raina Moskowitz said in the company’s announcement that the combination would provide additional opportunities for wedding businesses to reach customers while improving personalized planning services for couples.
Acquisition Comes Amid Financial Pressure
The deal also comes as The Knot Worldwide works to strengthen its financial position and modernize its technology.
The company has been owned by private equity firm Permira since 2018. Moskowitz, a former Etsy executive, has focused on restructuring the business and introducing artificial intelligence-powered planning tools.
The New York Post reported that Moody’s Ratings downgraded The Knot Worldwide’s credit rating into speculative-grade territory in August, citing earlier reporting by Bloomberg. The downgrade highlighted concerns about the company’s credit risk.
The acquisition of Zola could expand The Knot Worldwide’s consumer reach and provide additional opportunities to develop its technology offerings, although the companies have not disclosed projected financial benefits or integration costs.
Zola, founded in 2013, has attracted substantial investment from prominent financial and media companies.
The business raised $100 million in a 2018 financing round that valued it at approximately $600 million, according to the New York Post and Reuters. Investors included NBCUniversal and Goldman Sachs Investment Partners.
That earlier valuation does not necessarily indicate the price agreed upon in the current transaction.
Regulatory Approval Remains a Key Uncertainty
The companies have not provided a timetable for completing the acquisition, and the extent of any regulatory review remains uncertain.
Representatives for Grassley and the FTC declined to comment on the transaction when contacted by the New York Post, while the Justice Department did not immediately respond to the newspaper’s request for comment.
A spokesperson for The Knot Worldwide also declined to comment to the Post, and Zola did not immediately respond to its inquiry.
Related: The New York Post
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