Here comes the recession-chic bride
Save the sparks for the Fourth 鈥� fireworks displays at weddings are one of the extravagances going out of style during the recession.
Ditto for the diamond bridal tiaras.
June 鈥� traditionally the peak month for exchanging vows 鈥� hasn't lost its popularity among brides and grooms, but recession is forcing them to use a lot more financial savvy to celebrate "I do," says Sally Kilbridge, deputy editor of Brides magazine.
鈥淣obody wants to compromise the big-picture dream they had,鈥� she says. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e just going to do it a little bit differently.鈥�
That means cutting back on some of the 鈥渙ver-the-top gestures that were getting popular of late,鈥� she adds.
Americans鈥� spending on weddings has fallen steeply since the recession began 鈥� from an average $28,732 in 2007 to $19,219 in the first quarter of 2009, according to The Wedding Report, which researches the industry.
Top cost-cutting strategies, the Wedding Report says: cutting back on wedding services and accouterments, consolidating the wedding and reception venues, and getting married by nontraditional means, such as by a justice of the peace.
Ms. Kilbridge says couples are also trimming by having smaller bridal parties (thus saving on flowers) and utilizing more do-it-yourself techniques.
Her suggestions for planning a recession-chic wedding:
鈥on鈥檛 book or buy the first option that comes your way when you have several months to plan. 鈥淵ou鈥檝e got the luxury of time.鈥�
鈥argain, nicely. 鈥淲edding vendors are not immune鈥� to the business of wheeling-and-dealing, she says.
鈥ut the guest list. 鈥淚nstead of having people bring dates, you can explain, 鈥楾his is a wedding. You鈥檙e going to meet other fun people.鈥� 鈥�
Brides also offer tips for tying the knot on a shoestring on their own blogs.
From Have a six-inch wedding cake to use as a 鈥減rop,鈥� and let the guests eat the venue鈥檚 already-included dessert.
And from : Order a dress from China. 鈥淭here is no way that my dress looks like we only spent $225 for it,鈥� writes the blogging bride-to-be.
鈥� Guest blogger Taylor Barnes is a Monitor contributor.
