Couples Cutting Costs

Times are tough! Gas is more than $4.00 a gallon, the cost of food is through the roof and, given the current state of the economy, millions of Americans are being forced to tighten their purse strings. But, what do you do when your "big day" falls during an economic slump?

“According to Richard Markel, president of the Association for Wedding Professionals International, the average cost of a wedding in the U.S. is now between $18,000 and $21,000. Of course, the costs vary greatly from region to region. He notes that in the elegant suburbs of Long Island, N.Y., the tab routinely reaches $40,000 to $50,000, while 'you can have an awesome wedding for $12,000 in Walla Walla, Wash.,' he says.”

Many brides and grooms are now being forced to re-evalute their wedding day budgets and, while these average costs are still feasible for some, they may be quite a stretch for others. Luckily, there are now quite a few ways to cut costs, save cash and still have the beautiful and unique ceremony you've always dreamed of. SmartMoney.com lists eight tips that are sure to help you say your ‘I do’s’ without breaking the bank! Check ‘em out here!