For many of us, money is tight these days. Theres no denying that the poor economy has forced many people to re-evaluate their expectations in a lot of different areas of their lives, and weddings are no exception. After all, many people have spent their whole lives planning out the day they get married down to the last detail, wanting to the throw the most lavish event they could imagine, without factoring in what it would ultimately cost and whether the economy would be favorable when they tied the knot. While some concessions may need to be made, anyone can still throw a great wedding that fulfills their dreams, regardless of their financial situation.

Putting on a big event during tough times comes down to prioritizing whats most important to you for your special day. While everyone wishes they could make everything perfect, most people can identify what aspects of the event are most important for them to spend more money on, which can be anything from the wedding favors to their dress. For instance, some people feel adamantly about getting married in a specific, special location on a specific, special day. If this is the most important aspect to you, then spend the extra money with the understanding that your inflexibility may lead to concessions in other areas. Other people might have a very strong preference for what type of food they want to serve, or about the band they want to play. When attempting to scrimp and save where possible, you need to identify which parts of the day take preference over all the others.

When deciding where your priorities are at, you also need to take other people into consideration. After all, no one is going to remember your wedding fondly if you splurge on a tremendous five tier cake and theres nowhere for your guests to sit. Check your list of priorities and make sure that they take into consideration the needs, desires and wants of all your guests. It might be your special day, but unless youre taking the plunge with just a couple of witnesses, youre probably not going to have a great day if your friends and family are all having a lousy time.

With that in mind, you should also make sure that your special day is accessible for your guests. Even if its a high priority for you to get married in the Carribean, youll have to take into account whether everyone else you want to share the day with can make it out there as well. Chances are you arent the only person hit hard by the downturn, and you need to take other peoples financial situations into account too.

Once youve identified the one or two big ticket items You consider necessary, and once youve taken your guests into account, its time to figure out where you can make a big impact without spending a small fortune. By putting a little creative thought into the numerous small parts of your wedding, you can save money while creating interesting memories for your guests. Instead of hiring a photographer, leave disposable cameras around so your guests can take the photos. Have your guests each bring a dish to eat, potluck style. Find unique wedding favors that they will take home with them and want to keep forever.

Whatever you choose to do, just understand that the poor economic climate does not doom your wedding day. Remember that making a commitment and sharing that moment with the people who are most special to you is far more important than hanging on to every little detail youve been dreaming about since you were a child.