Although your wedding day should be "an affair to remember", the times are changing with respect to budgets. There are some simple ways to reallocate your available dollars. While I am not a fan of "settling", here are just a few examples of how you can reduce expenditures and still make your wedding memorable.

• Set a budget and stick to it. Decide what your priority is -- the dress, for example, or the photographs -- and cut everywhere else.

•Meaning over material- Find special ways to bring sentimental things into the wedding in order to make that special day memorable.

• Use your resources. Friends may be able to print invitations, make centerpieces, even alter or sew a wedding dress. What are their talents?

• Hold your wedding on a weekday or Sunday, when reception-site rents are lower. Trends are showing cocktail parties to be an alternative. Alcohol expenses are dramtically decreased.

• Remember that clubhouses and parks are cheaper than hotel ballrooms -- and that a friend or relative's backyard is free. This growing trend is extremely budget friendly for obvious reasons: no location fees, smaller guest lists and a more casual menu allow for a much more affordable affair. If you don’t have a great backyard – consider the yard of a close friend or family member. A local park may be the next best thing. Brides opting for this style of wedding need to keep the weather in mind and make sure to have a foul-weather back up plan.

• Choose an off-peak month.

• Cut the guest list. Send announcements to those in far away locations after the wedding.

• Streamline the invitation by eliminating liners and interior envelopes.

• Save on postage by having guests e-mail their RSVPs. If really pressed, consider e-vites.

• Rent your wedding dress or buy used. Vintage and high-end thrift shops may stock them, and there are websites like preownedweddingdresses.com devoted to them. Also an eco friendly option.

• Check pawn shops and second-hand stores for jewelry including wedding bands. The selection is growing.

• Fake the cake. Really! You can rent a large, icing-covered foam cake from some bakers for the reception and serve a smaller, less expensive one without the fancy decorations.

• Serve brunch or lunch instead of dinner, and make it buffet, not sit-down. A cocktail reception is even cheaper.

• Make your own centerpieces or, if using a florist, choose flowers that are in season and have silk ones interspersed with the real ones.

• Skip the band and hire a DJ or make a playlist for your iPod and plug it into a sound system.

• If you decide to have an open bar, limit it to beer and wine.