Items that were once must-haves on brides' and grooms' wish lists are being scaled back or eliminated completely to keep costs down. Jenny Orsini, president of Pampered Bride Weddings in Springfield, says that many brides have become more budget conscious.

"Nowadays, it's more important to fulfill their dream of owning a house and not going into debt as opposed to having a dream fantasy-princess wedding," she says.

Marie Danielle Vil-Young can relate to brides' money concerns. The owner of A Votre Service Events in Franklin Park planned and executed her own wedding last year.

"As a newlywed who paid for her own wedding, it's extremely important, I think, that one doesn't start their marriage with financial problems," the wedding planner says.

So what are couples in Central Jersey doing to get the biggest bang for their buck? We asked area wedding coordinators for solid tips on how to create an elegant wedding on a tight budget.

PLAN ACCORDINGLY

First off, planners say it's important to be realistic and to get a feel for how much things cost.

"Everyone's eyes are always bigger than their budget," says Tracee Wright, owner of Weddings Done Wright in Scotch Plains.

Because rates traditionally go up at the beginning of the year, couples may want to book big-ticket items — venue, caterer, photographer and disc jockey — sooner rather than later.

"People are very money-conscious," says Kathy Polanco, president of Diamond Bride Planners in North Brunswick. Polanco currently is meeting with couples who are getting married in 2010 but want to lock in 2009 prices. "They're planning out further ahead because of the economy."

Vil-Young suggests that couples can save significantly by thinking outside the box.

"(Consider) a cocktail reception rather than a sit-down dinner or a buffet dinner," she says. "It costs 15 to 20 percent less. People generally eat less, and caterers know that, so you could negotiate really good deals."

Another option is a family-style meal, in which the food is brought to the table and guests help themselves. Vil-Young estimates that could save 10 to 12 percent on the catering bill.

To keep bar costs down, Vil-Young suggests offering a selection of specialty drinks and wines rather than an unlimited, open bar.

"That can look really pretty and really cool," she says.

Reception-room decor — linens, lighting, centerpieces and floral arrangements — is another area in which couples are making concessions.

"They're not doing floral centerpieces," Wright points out. "(Or) they're scaling back as far as the bouquets for the bridesmaids and maybe going to a single flower."

Videography is another luxury that brides are opting to forgo.

"Video, which was once a standard in wedding planning, is really no longer a necessity," Orsini says. "There will always be photography, but they're definitely cutting out video."

Ultimately, it's important for brides "to think about what's most important," says Wright. "If the dress is more important, that's where you allocate more of your money."

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

Destination weddings are another option budget-conscious couples may want to consider, says Vil-Young.

"It definitely can be most cost effective to do destination," she says, pointing out that couples simultaneously get their wedding and honeymoon. "It's like a 2-in-1 deal."

Polanco agrees, adding that couples can save between $10,000 and $15,000 on destination weddings. But while that type of affair has its perks, it can be unrealistic if couples have large guest lists or have reservations about planning an event that is thousands of miles away. Still, those issues do not have to be deal breakers.

"A lot of resorts have their own planners," Polanco says. "And vendors will travel to the sites."

The actual date of the wedding is also an important factor to take into consideration. The wedding season runs from May through October, and couples who get married during that time can expect to pay more than those who wed in the colder months.

The day of the week also makes a difference. Saturday evenings are by far the most popular, so an afternoon or Friday evening reception may be a more affordable option.

"I worked with a couple who got married on a Sunday," Wright says. "They were able to still get married in the summertime, but they got married on a Sunday when the price points are lower."

It is important to remember that regardless of the economy, vendors are always in competition for your business and an educated consumer can uncover the best deals.

"Everyone's still getting married. That hasn't changed," says Polanco. "(But) I think they'd rather see money being put somewhere else."

MONEY-SAVING WEDDING TIPS

Are you planning a wedding? Here is some information you need to know to help save a bundle: