This sad scenario is happening a lot these days -- parents who originally promised to pay for the honeymoon, or the flowers, or the reception have hit some hard times. Maybe one has lost a job. Maybe their savings are dwindling. Maybe their IRA took a massive hit in this economy. Or medical bills have taken a chunk out of your wedding fund.

Maybe it's your bridesmaid who is having tough financial times and has to step out of the bridal party, or who can't give you the bridal shower she had in mind.

With wedding stress stretching you to your limits and any little thing setting you on edge, it's too easy to fall into the dreaded "Why me?!" cry, mourning your lost honeymoon or bridal shower dreams. A terrible thing has happened, and you're all upset about it.

Now we know you're not one of those horrible Bridezilla chicks on TV who are all about themselves, quite heartlessly yelling at their mothers for not being smarter with their money and ruining your day. You don't have that in you. Which is why we like you so much here at iVillage.

And we know we don't have to remind you to comfort the ones who are having tough times. That's just part of your nature.

What's happening here is you're being reminded that any plan made, any promise made, at the start of your wedding plans is always, always a Possibility. And when that possibility goes away, you get the chance to work with the disappointed parent or bridesmaid to come up with a Plan B.

No doubt they feared letting you know about their No. They probably had sleepless nights, maybe some high blood pressure. Plenty of stress. And everyone can relate to that these days.

So when you do get the news that a Possibility now has to morph into a Plan B, you can just hug them and say, "Okay, let's think up some different options."

And the biggest and best option for these tough financial times is to think up ways for your bridesmaid or your parent to contribute in non-financial ways. Helping to make programs or favors, confirming with your vendors, searching for the linens you want -- tasks that take time and care -- have as much value, if not more, than writing a check. And you get to rescue your very stressed loved one.

It helps if you have some Plan B ideas already in mind, so prep yourself for any dreaded phone calls by listing out some What If ideas...

If Shelley can't host the big bridal shower at the country club, then we can do a pizza party at my place and go swimming in the pool

If Mom and Dad can't pay for the flowers, I'll get a DIY book and invite the bridesmaids over to make the centerpieces with me. The craft store has free classes on making bouquets, so that would be a great group activity, too.

If my groom's Mom can't pay for the cake, we'll talk to the catering manager and make a few changes to the cocktail party menu, taking out a station or two, so that the cake is free.

You'll amaze yourself at your resourcefulness, and you'll be in a calmer and better position if anyone can't keep an original promise. And brides who have been in your position say that Plan B of working as a group on DIY projects was actually a great bonding experience that got both sides of the family and all of the friends to have a lot of fun together.

Sure, you'll be disappointed that you can't do the 2 weeks in Hawaii on your parents' dime. There's not a DIY plan to make up for that, and your parents will surely be heartbroken about it. But maybe this change in your expectations is going to lead you to look online for a different honeymoon package, which you find at 1/3 the price, in a better location, with lots of freebies in the resort's plan, and opportunities you wouldn't have had at the original location. And your parents can spring for that. It often happens that Plan B turns out far better than Plan A!

And maybe you can do 2 weeks in Hawaii on your first anniversary. Or push your honeymoon back a few months to a less expensive time of year, which your parents can afford as their wedding gift to you. Not a bad Plan B!