Hey, everyone! My offbeat intern, Shrie, is starting a new series where she explores the hottest topics from the OBT. We’re starting off with a topic that’s hard to ignore these days: planning a wedding in the middle of a global economic meltdown. On that uplifting note (whee!) take it away, Shrie…

Planning a wedding is tough stuff. Unless you have a ton of disposable income or can count on the ‘rents for a large chunk, it can put a real dent in your wallet and in your credit score. Pile on a recession, sky high fuel costs, scarce job market and less than savory housing situation — and you’ve got a full scale wedding budgeting nightmare.

Nervous brides are scraping the bucket and turning their luxury destination weddings into backyard BBQs, all in the name of saving a little dough. In fact, for the first time in over ten years the average cost of an American wedding is expected to drop, and nearly half of all caterers and event planners have noticed a drop in wedding spending due to the recession.

Monica, a fellow Offbeat Bride Tribe member, is downright apprehensive:

“Is all this recession chatter making any one else nervous? Our wedding is about five months away and every time I hear about people losing their jobs, the economy, high gas prices, grocery prices, etc. it makes me really nervous. I’m concerned people won’t be able to travel because they can’t afford it, or our caterer will have to charge us more for food or travel expenses.” [obt link]

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The offbeat bride: Gem - art lecturer (and OBT member!)

Her offbeat partner: Mel - sex boutique proprietor

Location & date of wedding: Brighton Town Hall/beach/pier, Brighton UK. Wednesday the 6th of August 2008.

What made our wedding offbeat: Being a gay couple started events in a generally non-regular tradition and our family and friends realized quickly that it wasn’t going to stop there … we wanted a day that would fulfill our dressing up fantasies, even if that meant just being really comfortable. We didn’t want anyone in starchy suits if they weren’t going to feel at ease and our wedding was primarily about enjoyment.

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I would like to add to my advice in the video: if you work it right, having a mother-in-law who’s an event planner could be a really awesome thing! I’d also like to open it up to my beloved offbeat brides and ask all you: how would you make the most of having a MIL who’s a wedding planner, but who has some traditional ideas for your wedding?