And if you or your parents had your wedding money tied up in the stock market, dreams of an arrival in a horse-drawn carriage, caviar, a celebrity appearance, or the fireworks farewell may no longer be a reality. “Everyone is feeling the pinch, not just the bride,” says wedding planner Toni DeLisi of Memorable Events in Ramsey. “Businesses are willing to work with couples as long as they’re realistic.”

Many of you have even postponed your weddings or put off getting engaged, but don’t wait too long. DeLisi points out that what seems like a financially prudent decision by delaying your wedding until 2010 could turn New Jersey brides and grooms into pumpkins before the ball has even begun: “The problem is that there will be twice as many couples all vying for the same locations, dates, and vendors, which will ultimately drive up the cost for these services—simple supply and demand,” she says. “Couples who chose to wait may be settling for something other than their dream location due to the increased demand, or they may even have to push their date to 2011.”

So our advice is to go ahead and plan your wedding…the wedding you’ve always dreamed about, while keeping an eye on your budget with modifications here and there. And to help you plan your ideal wedding, we’ve asked experts from around the state, the ones who plan weddings every day, for their advice and tricks on how to keep costs down, while keeping your original vision and level of quality intact.

Perhaps the best advice of all is to “keep it simple,” says Katherine Rodriguez of the Crossed Keys Inn in Andover. “Simple is not the same as cheap and will keep you in budget!” That’s sage advice that we could all use in every area of our lives right now.

Here’s what the experts suggest:

Trim down your guest list. Cutting out even 20 guests will save you thousands. Fewer guests also means fewer linens, chairs, favors, and centerpieces to rent or purchase.—Candice Benson, The Finishing Touch

Dream big: Small ideas get small results, so put budget aside while envisioning your dream wedding, then figure out what you can afford.
—Colin Cowie

Limiting the number of types of flowers in your bouquet will be both elegant and economical.
—Katherine Rodriguez, Crossed Keys Inn