Cutting Costs During The Recession

My wedding service, Northern California Digital Wedding Photography, has certainly been impacted by the economic climate and we are all making some changes.  A wedding is an event of monumental importance in a couple's life and while price is increasingly a factor, the couple's happiness is (and always will be) paramount.  In an effort to find advice for my friends, clients and readings I was reading Google newsletters about Wedding Photography and I came across this USA Today Story:

Couples saying 'I don't' to expensive weddings
USA Today - USA
Lee knows of wedding photographers who used to charge $20000 but now are discounting their fees by nearly 50%, "just to get some jobs. ...
See all stories on this topic

Along those same lines (cutting costs without cutting into the fun) I saw that TheWeddingChannel now has a DIY Weddings Blog called My DIY Wedding Day.  I have seen (and taken photographs of!) some very nice DIY weddings.

Another great place to look for ways to save is by re-using or renting things that people were previously buying new.  TheKnot has a cool "Trash to Treasure" message board for members where last week's bride can help next week's bride.  Renting is another great option and here in the Bay Area you can find rentals of everything from wedding day jewelry for the bride to Rolex watches for the groom.