Economy not a factor for wedding business

Being able to say ?I do' is all part of the day so many brides dream of. But in recent years, the economy has made a mark on that special day. Wedding experts say they are seeing a bump in business, but brides are still looking for ways to cut corners.

While planning the big day, Desiree Ricks wants to keep it low-budget.

"I'd say $5,000 or $6,000," Ricks said.

"I was trying to do it for $5,000 tops," said another bride to be named Alyssa.

Both were looking for ideas Sunday at a Cape Coral bridal show.

Ricks is graduating college soon and plans to pay for her own wedding ? but with some help from her parents.

"If there are no teaching jobs than I don't even know what I'm going to do," Ricks said.

Four years after the economy started to tank, it's still a factor for these brides to be.

Local wedding planner Lisa Reece says economic pressure has been an issue for most people in recent years.

The average bride's budget is between $10,000 and $20,000.

"But it's just a matter of customizing the package to what's important to the bride," she said.

Photographer Hazel Donaldson says in the last year. She says she's seen a ten-percent increase in business.

Caterer Betty Pentaude says she's also seen an increase of 30-percent so far this year compared to 2011.

"Brides seem to be having big weddings and lot going on," she said.

Spring and fall months are the most popular according to these wedding vendors.

Reece says the dress and reception usually rank high on the list of priorities. But for brides like Alyssa, she's got most of it done with the help of friends and family.

"One of my friends is making the cake. I'm going to try to get my dad to do the catering. We have a friend who's going to be the DJ. So it's really all where we can cut back," she said.

Ricks is on the same page.

"We're a crafty family so we're just going to make a lot of stuff ourselves," she said.

Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/46699791/ns/local_news-fort_myers_fl/

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