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

Keep the bridal party small, which will reduce your floral budget and eliminate the need for bridal-party gifts.
—Toni DeLisi, Memorable Events

Hire a good photographer for the photos only, and return later to do the album.—Marie Papp, Marie Papp Photography

Celebrating your wedding during the day is a wonderful way to save. Or a Friday or Sunday night wedding will also afford you a break.
—Diane Carr, The Bernards Inn

Consider a destination wedding: Weddings can take place anywhere, so think beyond the exotic beach and think about a B&B or country inn.
—Colin Cowie 

Hire a trolley bus instead of limos.—Jeffrey Vock, Jeffrey Vock Photography

Instead of having five courses and a slew of fancy upgrades, stick to the basics and go for what’s in season or local.– Kisha Barner, Pure Ambiance

Use a clear glass vessel with crystals on the bottom and a jumbo gerber daisy floating in it.—Katherine Rodriguez, Crossed Keys Inn

Personalize and print your own paper items for the wedding.
—Rhonda Bassat-Rivera, Bride Ideas

The internet can serve as a very useful tool for wedding planning, so couples should compare costs and look for sales in this tough economy.—Robert Huth, David's Bridal

You can book now at minimums and then enhance your menu and décor later as the economy begins to recover.—Jerry Frungillo, Frungillo Caterers

Skip cutting the cake. Instead, order a small traditional cake for pictures and a large sheet cake to be served to your guests.—Terry LeMiere, One Atlantic

Opt for a fantastic deejay who can create great background music and just as easily keep the guests moving on the dance floor.—Colin Cowie 

Cut costs on decorating the ceremony area. The focus should be on the couple not the space.—Katherine Rodriguez, Crossed Keys Inn

Replace the typical floral centerpiece with a beautiful tablescape created with mirrors and candles in all sizes.—Candice Benson, The Finishing Touch

Ask if your vendor offers a payment plan.—Marie Papp, Marie Papp Photography

Seat the maximum number of guests at each table so you don’t have to order more centerpieces than you need.—Toni DeLisi, Memorable Events

Consider fruits and/or vegetables as a part of your centerpieces, bouquets, and place-card holders. They are natural beauties and can truly add a different and unique element. –Kisha Barner, Pure Ambiance

Time and time again I see Champagne being wasted for the toast. Ask those who are making toasts to say, “Raise your glass,” and your guests will raise their glass with whatever they are drinking.—Katherine Rodriguez, Crossed Keys Inn
 
Invest in a trusted wedding planner: A professional is there to ease some of the pressure while bringing your vision to a reality.—Colin Cowie

Don’t eliminate video; simply eliminate all the bells and whistles from the production for now, and have it produced when you have more money.
—Toni DeLisi, Memorable Events

A four- or five-piece band can sound great.—Jeffrey Vock, Jeffrey Vock Photography

If your venue/space is already highly decorated, you won’t need much. Less is more.—Katherine Rodriguez, Crossed Keys Inn

Save paper and money by having one menu card per table.—Tina LaMorte, Oh So Fabulous

Cocktail receptions or a Sunday brunch are festive and unique ways to save. Sunday brunches are becoming popular and you can save on alcohol since very little is consumed at brunch.—Diane Carr, the Bernards Inn

Have your ceremony and reception in one location.—Jeffrey Vock, Jeffrey Vock Photography

Create monochromatic flower arrangements using one type of flower: When bundled en masse in short ceramic vases, they are beautiful and impactful.—Colin Cowie

Most vendors in this industry are willing to work within your budget. We’re here to help make your dreams come true, not cause anxiety over money.—Jerry Frungillo, Frungillo Caterers

If you book your wedding in the winter, you will get better pricing.—Katherine Rodriguez, Crossed Keys Inn

In lieu of a full open bar, have a one-hour open bar during cocktails and then beer and wine for the remaining time.—Toni DeLisi, Memorable Events

Don’t forget friends and family with a musical talent.—Diane Carr, The Bernards Inn

Make simple favors special by wrapping them in pretty packaging.—Tina LaMorte, Oh So Fabulous

Choose a reputable bridal shop that has a solid record. When smaller shops close their doors due to the economy, they often leave brides stranded without their deposit or gown—a significant blow to a wedding budget.—Robert Huth, David’s Bridal

If you’re already living together and don’t need a lot of household items, set up a honeymoon registry, leaving you with more money to put toward the wedding.—Toni DeLisi, Memorable Events    

Create a specialty drink that represents you as a couple, and give it a fun creative name. Use that name on signage for all your guests to see.—Candice Benson, The Finishing Touch

If your dream was getting married on the beach, consider just the two of you and immediate family going to an island, and then return to host a more casual gathering for extended family and friends.—Toni DeLisi, Memorable Events

There are certain tasks that should be left to the wedding professionals; however enlist the help of talented friends whenever possible.—Katherine Rodriguez, Crossed Keys Inn

Utilize the décor offered by the venue, such as candles and linens, rather than purchasing them from an outside vendor.—Diane Carr, The Bernards Inn

If you fall in love with a gown that is outside of your price range, ask the store if you can make three or four payments instead of the typical two.—Remy Quinones, Exquisite Bride

Don’t overspend. Live within your budget. It’s a great way to begin your marriage on a realistic financial footing.—Jerry Frungillo, Frungillo Caterers

Ask the photographer to cut his hours to get costs down. The photographer does not necessarily have to stay after the cake cutting.—Katherine Rodriguez, Crossed Keys Inn

Rent quality linen tablecloths; they make a big impact on the room as a whole.—Tina LaMorte, Oh So Fabulous

Open the box that holds your mother’s wedding dress and try it on for size. A few alterations might make it just perfect.—Diane Carr, The Bernards Inn

If you are staying at a hotel that is close to your ceremony/reception location, rather than hiring two limos to take the bridal party over, consider using one that could make two trips.—Toni DeLisi, Memorable Events

Some vendors (such as myself) accept gift certificates that the couple’s guests can purchase to put toward the wedding photography.—Marie Papp, Marie Papp Photography

Consider a cocktail reception instead of a sit-down dinner. Select a nice selection of butlered hors d’oeuvres, a big harvest table with help-yourself-type of foods, and after the dancing begins, open up a nice selection of carving stations.—Katherine Rodriguez, Crossed Keys Inn

Candles make an absolutely beautiful and elegant statement all on their own. Instead of using flowers, creating centerpieces with various pillar sizes on a glass mirror is gorgeous. Spice it up with decorative rocks, crystal pieces, and/or votives.—Kisha Barner, Pure Ambiance

Shop at a bridal store that offers wedding attire and accessories for both the bride and bridal party to save time and money.—Robert Huth, David’s Bridal

Consider a more casual reception without formal seating charts and a variety of food served in smaller portions instead of the traditional five-course meal. —Terry LeMiere, One Atlantic

Personalize, personalize, personalize. Nothing helps your guests walk away thinking what a wonderful event more than those personal touches, which don’t have to break the bank. It can be as simple as swapping out your table numbers for table names of places that mean something to your lives together.—Candice Benson, The Finishing Touch

Make your favors, like your favorite chocolate-chip cookie with a special note, rather than purchasing a high-end truffle box.—Diane Carr, The Bernards Inn

Your wedding dollars can go a long way today if you simply sit down with your vendors to openly and honestly discuss what they are able...and willing to do.—Jerry Frungillo, Frungillo Caterers

Select an alternative day other than the weekend, as some vendors may offer a lower price for a Monday through Thursday event.—Marie Papp, Marie Papp Photography

Rather than renting expensive full-length table linens, go with a topper instead.—Toni DeLisi, Memorable Events

Consider changing something on the gown that may reduce the price. We have a gown by Vera Wang that brides love. The gown is adorned with lace, beads, and crystals. Removing either the lace or the beads and crystals reduces the price significantly.—Remy Quinones, Exquisite Bride

Give meaningful gifts as favors; whether it’s a tree to plant or a donation to an organization that is near and dear to your heart.—Katherine Rodriguez, Crossed Keys Inn

Scale down on floral centerpieces or use candles, colored tablecloths, and light the room with LED strip lighting and projected stencils. This gives the room a unique atmosphere awash in color. It looks much classier than modest floral centerpieces and is cheaper than fancy ones.—Jeffrey Vock, Jeffrey Vock Photography

Select a venue that already provides a beautiful backdrop, either through design, décor, or architecture, so that less money needs to be spent on event design.—Diane Carr, The Bernards Inn

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.—Robert Huth, David’s Bridal

Cluster small vases together with just a single bloom or small bouquet of flowers in each for impact.—Katherine Rodriguez, Crossed Keys Inn

Keep your wedding party small, and consider having just a maid of honor and a best man.—Jeffrey Vock, Jeffrey Vock Photography

Borrow jewelry, headpieces, or a veil from a family member or a friend. It adds a personal touch to the wedding while removing the need to spend money on several accessories.—Remy Quinones, Exquisite Bride

Where to find the experts:

The Bernards Inn, Bernardsville, 908-766-0002; bernardsinn.com

Bride Ideas, 973-731-3974; rhondaweddings.com

Colin Cowie, Manhattan; colincowie.com

Crossed Keys Inn, Andover, 973-829-9922; crossedkeys.com

David’s Bridal; 877-923-2743; davidsbridal.com

Exquisite Bride, Millburn, 973-376-2770; and Princeton, 609-452-7200; exquisite-bride.com

The Finishing Touch Wedding and Event Planning, West Orange, 973-525-5884; thefinishingtouchevents.com

Frungillo Caterers, 973-256-9380; frungillo.com

Jeffrey Vock Photography, Jersey City, 201-798-6706; jvock.com

Marie Papp Photography, Hoboken, 201-659-1978; mariepapp.com

Memorable Events, Ramsey, 201-934-9979; memorableeventsinc.com

Oh So Fabulous, Maywood, 201-981-7280; ohsofab.com

One Atlantic, Atlantic City, 609-343-9902; oneatlanticevents.com

Pure Ambiance Event Planning, Millburn, 973-863-2721; pureambianceevents.com