The experts on TV keep telling us to look for the silver lining in these trying economic times...how a family's decreased 'fun budget' actually can lead to more quality time together, including long walks after dinner, basketball games in the park instead of going to pricy movies, etc. We're being educated now on the joys of paring things down.

And that can apply to your wedding.

If you're a good distance away from your wedding date, such as six months out or more, you may be able to pare down some of the elements you had originally planned for your Big Day but now realize you can do without. Look in your contract to find the clause about 'changes made to your wedding plans.' Many experts will allow you to change your original order up to a few months before the wedding day. They put that clause in there in case you want to add things, but you might also be able to subtract some non-essentials. Read closely to see if this wonderful clause can save you some big money. And -- here's the fun part -- return your plans to what you orginally wanted them to be.

Let's say the wedding has gotten much bigger than you wanted, due to your parents' and in-laws' 'requests' to add extra guests, extra stations, extra decor. Or, you went a little bit nuts and added a bunch of stuff you now realize was non-essential. You and your groom battled over these additions, one of you gave in, and there was a nice, big stress cloud hanging over your plans because you felt you had to give in. Or, he felt he had to give in.

Now, with your budget crunched, you can go back for a Do-Over, arranging with your wedding vendors to eliminate that extra station at the cocktail party, get rid of the thousands of dollars' worth of extra floral decor, wipe out the ice sculptures, dial it down to a nice brand of champagne instead of the insanely expensive one. The vast majority of vendors will let you do so at this point.

Why is this a tip for Planning in Peace? Because you're getting rid of the resentment over inserted plans when you get rid of the inserted plans. Especially with parents who elbowed their details into your day, they can't argue with you when you say, "Hey, the economy is a mess, and we want to scale back on the budget so that none of us get too badly hurt by the wedding expenses." And remind them about taxes and tips adding up to a scary amount.

With those parental-add elements eliminated, as well as the extras you impulsively wanted way back when, you've pared down your wedding plans, and eliminated any simmering resentments you and your groom have been carrying around. Yes, you admit you got carried away back then, and now you're going to fix it.

Just don't carve out too much, such as eliminating half of your guest list, because you don't want to create new resentments over the important things you did without on your wedding day.

For more information on how saving money on your wedding plans, check out my book 1001 Ways to Save Money And Still Have a Dazzling Wedding.