Brides are rethinking their wedding budgets this year

In a perfect world, every bride would be able to have her dream wedding regardless of cost. In the real world, that doesn’t happen often.  Budget almost always figures into the picture and it plays an even bigger role when the economy is lousy.

Here’s some information from a David’s Bridal survey. It’s a bit long, but if you’re planning a wedding, read on:

With nearly a quarter of couples becoming engaged between Thanksgiving and New Years, the beginning of the year marks the period known as “Bridal Christmas.” Many women may be starting 2009 with a ring on their finger, but less cash in their wallets. While the uncertain economy will not stop couples determined to tie the knot, it is causing them to rethink their spending habits – especially when it comes to wedding planning.According to the annual “What’s on Brides’ Minds” survey, conducted by Infosurv, Inc. for David’s Bridal,  three-quarters (75%) of brides-to-be admit that they will have to make adjustments to their wedding budget as a result of the economic climate. About one quarter plan to cut their budget in half and one in ten said their budget had dropped more than 75%. Over half (53%) of respondents do not plan to spend more than $25,000 on their big day, while a little over one third (34%) said they plan to spend $10,000 or less. As a sign of the times, aside from their wedding, paying off debts (77%) was noted as couples’ top economic priority.“Brides always strive to create the perfect wedding day without spending a fortune; it is simply more pronounced due to the state of the economy,” said Robert Huth, president and CEO of David’s Bridal.

For brides-to-be getting ready to take the plunge in 2009, David’s Bridal offers these tips to help them personalize and plan their wedding day without breaking the bank:

Engage in Chiconomics: Be a Smart Shopper

In these challenging economic times, brides should create a spending plan to identify where they want to splurge and where they feel they can spend more cautiously. The survey revealed that the first area that brides-to-be would be willing to adjust is the number of guests (45%), followed by the wedding cuisine (45%). When asked what items they refuse to compromise on, the top responses were wedding bands (45%) and, not surprisingly, their wedding dress (37%).

While the perfect wedding dress may be where future brides are willing to put their money, if there is less of it, spending wisely is key. Fifty-five percent of brides surveyed said they plan to spend no more than $600 on the bridal gown of their dreams. To stay within budget, it’s a good idea to shop at a bridal store that offers wedding attire and accessories for the bride and entire bridal party to save both time and money. Brides-to-be should also look for bridal stores that offer discounts on additional products and services, including financing options, layaway programs or proprietary credit cards that have same as cash terms.

Consider Going Green: Eco-Friendly Weddings Can Be Wallet-Friendly, Too

This year’s survey revealed that many future brides have a “green” side and are concerned with preserving the environment. While 45% of those surveyed said they are making an effort to be environmentally conscious, many do not realize that eco-friendly practices are also great ways to save cash. Brides can plan an earth-friendly wedding and help keep costs down for friends and family by selecting bridesmaid dresses that can actually be worn again (re-use is a cornerstone of going green) –whether for another function or with ballerina flats and a cardigan for a date night– or encourage their bridesmaids to choose a flattering dress in the wedding color scheme. Almost two-thirds of respondents (59%) said they were planning on one of these options, to ensure that bridesmaids are happy with –and reuse– their dresses. For wedding invitations, if a bride-to-be wants a traditional style to mail, she may want to look for green options, including those made of 100% recycled paper or natural cotton fibers filled with wildflower seeds.