CUT THE COSTS
By Marina Vataj
July 2, 2008 | 7:54am
SOMETHING borrowed, something blue, and these days brides are doing something new – spending less.
Extravagant weddings certainly haven't disappeared, but an increasing number of couples are cutting back on costs, according to The Wedding Report, a wedding market-research group, which projects that the average cost of a wedding will dip this year to $28,704, compared with $28,732 in 2007.
While the difference seems small, this runs counter to a 15-year trend (1992-2007) that saw the cost of weddings nearly double.
"Given the state of the economy, people are seeing that it's smarter to use money they would've spent on their wedding on more useful, permanent things like buying a house or a new car," says Christa Terry, author of "iDo: Planning Your Wedding with Nothing but 'Net."
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Terry says New Yorkers – who spend an average of $46,000 on their nuptials – are getting in on the trend.
For Brooklyn newlywed Kira Yampolskiy, 28, who married in May, a new home took priority over pricey nuptials.
"We wanted to spend the minimum amount possible on our wedding," says Yampolskiy. "There's no point in spending so much money on one day when there are more important things to save up for. We set a price limit and used the rest of the money for a down payment on an apartment."
So while the duo had hoped to wed in New York City, they saved money by choosing a catering hall in Manhattan Beach. They also limited the number of guests to 100, hired a photographer friend at a discounted price, and bought the gown at a small Brooklyn boutique.
New Yorker Erin Reagan and her husband also cut back.
"Our number-one priority was setting up a retirement account and buying a car," says Reagan, who wed in January.
"We knew there was no point in overspending on one day, especially when we could have a great wedding for less money."
They cut expenses by having the nuptials on a winter Sunday.
"Getting married off season saved [us] money, and we got to get more of other things we wanted. It was worth it," she says.
There are plenty of other cost-cutting measures to explore, says Terry. "There are so many great ways to save money that people don't know about, starting with when and where you choose to have it," she says.
Terry suggests checking out cheaper reception options like state parks and museums, since many of them charge significantly less than wedding halls and restaurants.
Other ideas include opting for buffet-style meals instead of full-service and choosing simpler favors, like chocolates.
But the best way to trim expenses, says Terry, is to use the Internet.
"It allows you to shop around and compare prices, so you can buy items like flowers and favors in bulk at the best prices," she says. "Additionally, there's such a wider variety of products to choose from, which [can] make your wedding more original than those who go the traditional route."
Marina.vataj@nypost.com
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