It's the biggest and most expensive party you're ever likely to host, the average UK wedding now costs around 23,000pounds. And while the credit crunch isn't stopping couples tying the knot. Many aren't prepared to get tied up in financial knots.

"So, have you got an idea what style you are looking for? No, I've found a few different ideas, I, quite like ruching."

Something old and something nearly new. Bristol bride-to-be Catherine Balads comes to Bernardos in east London to find her dream dress, but it's no fantasy, this collection includes well-known labels at a third of the price.

"As I'm walking around ,and I've got my ceremony, I don't think people are gonna say: "Oh, you know, I can tell that one you know it's not expensive', I think it's in your own head. And I'm, I'm quite happy with , er,you know, if it means I have a gown that costs half as much, it means we can spend money, you know, in the other places, we can go on a fancy honeymoon, maybe."

And some don't even try before they buy, eBay this year has so far seen a 60% increase in wedding dress listings, and a 200% increase in engagement ring sales, and recession--hit couples planning to say "I do", are increasingly deciding "no can't do" in other areas too, just 6% are prepared to slash their wedding photography budget, while 10% are choosing fewer flowers, though a staggering 49% are rethinking their honeymoon plans. In fact, so concerned that many of their venue or caterer falls victim to the credit crunch, wedding insurance is booming.

"It's a difficult time, and annoyance, some businesses are struggling, and therefore wedding insurance gives you the peace of mind, if something does go wrong, actually you can go out and you can afford to a place that is supplied with someone else."

Come and have a look, it's been going under metal barn roof for about 10 years now. Not only our couples becoming more savvy, the recession is turning them into hard-nosed bargain hunters, no need for that here though. At Luxters Barna in Henley upon Thames, you can get 40% off the hire of the venue and apparently Thursday is the new Saturday.

"Predominately Saturday is always the key day to have the party or wedding or whatever, and then Fridays, and then Sundays will see a lot more midweek activity, because it's cheaper."

"...caterer section"

So how much can you really save? Recruitment consultant Lucy and James are footing at least half of their wedding costs. "Dress, insurance", so they are doing a little recruiting of their own, friends are taking care of their photography, flowers and the cars, and by cutting down on numbers, they've saved around 10,000 pounds.

"Specially with the current climates at the moment with redundancy could be around the corner, and things like that, it's just we wouldn't want to have the debt really after our wedding as well. We have saved money on the honeymoon, and we have asked for our gift list for contributions from people. I think nowadays it is a lot more acceptable to do that."

So it seems that trip down the isle hasn't lost its attraction after all. It's just couples want to do it for richer, rather than poorer.

词汇

Tie the knot: 结婚
其它常见的说法还有get married.
When are you two going to tie the knot?
你们俩打算什么时候结婚？

tie yourself (up) in knots: to become very upset because you are confused, nervous, or worried 使难过,使不高兴,使困惑,使沮丧

fall victim to: 成为…的受害者,成为…的牺牲品

hard-nosed: not affected by feelings when trying to get what you want 顽强的，不屈不挠的，不讲情面的
a hard-nosed journalist
不屈不挠的记者