Looking for a slice of a happily-ever-after dream wedding but concerned with the uncertainty of economic times? The good news is that you don’t have to break the bank when planning your dream wedding. In fact, over-the-top opulence is not even the style these days. Why not celebrate love creatively, infusing personality and spirituality into the event? We’ve rounded up area experts to offer tips on how to celebrate nuptials with style, spirit and sensibility.

Event
“It’s important to know your priorities,” said event planner Donna Kagan of Elegant Touch. Knowing the most important elements in your wedding and establishing a budget are crucial. Employing lovely special touches add a great deal to the affair. For instance, a little gift from the bride and groom with a personalized note makes each guest feel special and is something that will be remembered.
— Donna Kagan, Elegant Touch

Invitations
You can still have beautiful wedding invitations without the high price tag if you know what to look for and go prepared. A misconception that some brides may have is that less expensive means less elegant, and they need to have the “designer invitations” to accompany the dream wedding. While it’s true the invitation sets the tone for the wedding, many of the lower priced invitations can be printed on high quality paper with appropriate graphics, making them appear as pleasing to the eye as their higher priced counterparts.
Here are some tips for saving money when ordering invitations:
• It’s always less expensive to order a little extra the first time, than to have to re-order if you run short.
• Always ask for a proof of your order before it is printed to avoid any errors and to be sure you are happy with the invitation before it is printed.
• Look for an experienced, creative stationer who knows his (or her) stuff and will give you the attention to detail you need.
• Look for a stationer who offers a discount on your invitation package. 
— Heleene Fink, Special Occasions and Designs in Salem

Cakes
“Couples want their cake to make a statement,” said Kelly Delaney, owner of Cakes for Occasions in Danvers. “Even on a limited budget, we can create the customer’s vision. We sometimes suggest having a custom-designed cake that feeds fewer people but we supplement that with sheet cakes that are kept in the kitchen and served as dessert. The best part is that guests still enjoy the same high-quality cake and specialty flavors the bride and groom selected.”
— Kelly Delaney, Cakes for Occasions in Danvers
 
Gowns
“The beauty of a boutique is that we work within a customer’s budget,” said Jeanne Hennessey, owner of Lorraine Roy Designer Collections and Bridal Boutique in Danvers. “Designers offer a full range of options so we present choices that match a bride’s personal style, but honor any budget constraints. In the end, every bride leaves with her dream gown.”
— Jeanne Hennessey, Lorraine Roy Designer Collections & Bridal Boutique

Make-up
Amy Brackman of LuxeBeautiQue is sensitive to the high cost of getting married, having just recently tied the knot with her husband Gregg Brackman of G Bar & Kitchen in Swamspcott. “I know how important it is to have a dream wedding, but I am also aware of how expensive it is. A bride should not compromise on being beautiful. We are offering a free bridal consultation with out featured promotional facial for the remainder of the summer. This gives brides an opportunity to relax and get pampered, as well as getting expert advice on creating the best look for her wedding,” Brackman said.
— Amy Brackman, LuxeBeautiQue, Swampscott

Flowers
“It’s quite possible for a bride to fulfill her vision and stay within budget,” said floral designer Lyne Lepone of Floral Occasions. Some simple tips include:
• Stick to one or two flowers and use greens for texture and interest.
• Roses make a lovely choice and are really not cost prohibitive depending on the size of bloom. Pick a bloom three-inches or more with several stems with greens. It makes an impressive appearance.
• Miniature cymbidium orchids are another nice choice.
• Stay with flowers in season.
• Add non-botanical items for texture and color like lemons or limes. Feathers, such as ostrich or peacock, are hot this season.
— Lyne Lepone, Floral Occasions, Peabody

Catering
“Presentation is a great place to focus on when looking for ways to add a wow factor while keeping cost in mind,” said Neil Morris of NRM Catering. Morris invested in special ordered stationery equipment that adds amazing effects. Along with appletini shooters, martini salad bar and soup shooters, there are many cool ways to add pizzazz to an event. Morris is thrilled he purchased the equipment that his clients can take advantage of to create a wow factor.
— Neil Morris, NRM Catering, A Perfect Taste, Stoughton