Get Rich Slowly, one of my favorite personal finance blogs, recently wrote about having a low-cost wedding, having written about "Beating the High Cost of Weddings" in the past. Another favorite blogger of mine, Ramit Sethi, over at I Will Teach You To Be Rich, has also written about this topic.

I think this is a great phenomenon.

What makes a meaningful and exciting (read: fun to photograph) wedding is primarily the energy and the atmosphere of the people involved. Of course, a beautiful locale, fancy dresses, and delicious food can certainly help get everyone in a celebratory mood. But the source of the celebration is you.

By far, the most important thing about your wedding is that it reflects your budget, values, and priorities. Of course, as a wedding photographer I would love it if those three things meant that you were leaving room for quality photography (wink wink).

The alternative isn't always bad, though. It is true that the technology behind the latest cameras has put a lot of power in the hands of amateur enthusiasts and semi-pros. The democratic (and by that I mean "open to everyone") nature of photography is what got me started in the first place! And while I have been able to learn a lot, I have a long way to go myself. (For instance, I will forever admire the technical skills of The Strobist.)

But if what's ahead of us is that everyone will be cutting back on their expenses--weddings included--it's my hope that the emphasis on thinking creatively, cutting back, doing it yourself, and involving your family in the planning will bring families and friends even closer together.

Ultimately, a great time can be had with a lavish affair or a small bash in your backyard; both are fun to photograph.

That said, thrifty brides should head over to A Practical Wedding (which I found through Get Rich Slowly's feature this week) for inspirational, low-cost wedding stories and tips!