Recession Weddings: Party Like its $19.99

Well, it is now officially wedding season, which for many a lovestruck 20-something means stress, starvation, pain, tears, and, above all else, debt.

The average cost for U.S. weddings peaked in 2007 at an unbelievable $28,000 - this is enough dough for a down payment on a house, a brand new car, or a romantic cruise for two around Europe - ten times over. And all of this is spent in one measly day!

So far in 2009 the average is down to $22,000 and falling, due to the recession slapping some sense into the wedding-crazed. Here are some popular cost-saving tips making the rounds.

Don't give out party favors. This isn't a 3rd grade birthday party where your guests are little goobers desperate to prolong their sugar high with a doggy bag of cheap candy. Wedding favors are a recent invention, and are not necessary or even appreciated - most are left behind on the table.
Do your own music - a professional wedding band can cost anywhere from 2,400 to over $5,000. Save it for the honeymoon (or your rent) by plugging an ipod into some good speakers. This also allows you to avoid all of the unknowns that come with a wedding band (think bitter Adam Sandler singing "Love Stinks" to the happy couple in Wedding Singer.)
Never say "bridal." Retailers salivate at the word, because it means the stakes are high and you will pay whatever it takes to find the right whateveritis. That makes you, my friend, the sucker. "Bridal" shoes typically cost twice as much as regular dress shoes that could easily fit a wedding theme, and don't even get me started on the "bridesmaids." Its almost impossible to find "bridesmaid" dresses for less than $300, and no one wants to wear OR see a "bridesmaid" dress anyway! Use your imagination and find some nice dresses (no taffeta or pastels) without the "bridesmaid" label. Shh, no one will know.
Barter. I've said it before, and I'll say it again. When money is short, kick it pre-capitalism style and exchange goods for services. See if any of the wedding vendors have a use for one of your many skills and talents, or offer to advertise their services on your wedding program for a discount.
The Dress. Many brides are not willing to compromise when it comes to The Dress, but wedding dresses are sometimes the most expensive element of the whole affair (the average dress is $1,000 and many are upwards of $4,000) Buy a second hand dress and you could save half. Encorebridal.com and PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com are two popular sites but their prices are still outrageous - BravoBride is a better bet if you actually want to spend less than $500.