If there's a recession-proof economic sector, it might seem to be the wedding industry.

But in this economic tailspin, a surprising number of couples are bargain-hunting as they plan their big day. And wedding-related businesses are feeling it.

The recession has nipped at the heels of Racine residents RaQuel Golden, 29, and her fiancé Cember White, 30. White's employer, IEA Inc. of Kenosha, recently dropped from two production shifts to one.

The layoff missed White. But it gave the couple extra incentive to stay close to their $10,000 budget - not an easy task with a guest list of 300 people. "We come from four big families," Golden explained.

And so, White and Golden looked for ways to be a little stingy with their Aug. 8 wedding.

They chose the reception hall's cheapest meal, $12 a plate, and a cash bar. "I think (an open bar) is a waste; at the end of the day you'll see drinks left on the tables," Golden said.

Golden, a secretary at Gilmore Middle School, is also learning from co-workers how to make her own wedding invitations.

"The ones I saw ranged from $200 to $500," she said. "That's way too much money for paper that someone's just going to throw away."

Using coupons, she bought artificial flowers for table centerpieces, instead of ordering fresh flowers. "So, I did that really cheap," she said.

Perhaps the cleverest corner that White and Golden cut won them a honeymoon. By sitting through a hard-sell sales pitch for cookware, they earned a three-day, two-night trip to Jamaica.

"We learned how to say 'no' that night," Golden said.

Dressing down

Although Golden loves her wedding gown, it came off the clearance rack at Eva's Bridal Center in Oak Creek. "I put it on layaway till I paid it off," she said.

Beth Stone, owner of Eva's, said she started noticing more penny-wise shopping at least a year ago.

"Some brides have chosen - instead of having a large wedding - to combine the wedding and honeymoon and are doing a destination wedding," said Stone, who has been with the company for 19 years. That means getting married in some exotic locale with a smaller group of people, "rather than a lavish wedding in a great hall."

Stone said more girls like Golden are trying on discontinued bridal gowns priced from $99-$299. A special-order gown can range from $400 to about $2,000.

"It's just that (brides) are trying to work with a smaller budget, or they're between jobs, or the company has downsized," Stone said.

She also said that people are getting married later in life now, and more couples pay for their own weddings.

Seldom does the bride settle for less than a dress she loves, said Shawn Peyton, owner of Bravo Bridal in Kenosha. But for bridesmaid dresses, "They're definitely looking for less expensive ones."

Instead of buying $150 to $175 dresses, Peyton said, "They're definitely coming in and saying, 'Have you got anything closer to $100?' "

And she said more brides are asking for deals on dresses.

One way to avoid big wedding expenses is simply to put them off. "In the last year," Peyton said, "we've seen more canceled or postponed weddings than ever. It was like: 'Holy smokes, something's going on here.' "

Tough choices

Mary Olesen, a manager at O&H Danish Bakery, said she has not seen any scrimping on wedding cakes. A cake for 100 people can easily cost under $200, or less than $2 a slice, she said.

But most wedding industry people are seeing a certain frugality.

Donna Jorgensen, administrative assistant at DeKoven Center in Racine, said some brides rent DeKoven so they can choose their own caterer and beverage service and avoid renting linens.

She also had a bride ask if DeKoven's Great Hall, 600 21st St., would be cheaper for a mid-week wedding. "Absolutely, that's acceptable," Jorgensen said. "It would have been very unusual in past years."

Mike Lavin, executive chef for Gooseberries Market and Catering, 690 W. State St. in Burlington, said each couple sets priorities for what's important to them. "You may want the food to be fabulous. The next person might want to have a bigger band.

"The typical wedding a year ago had a sit-down dinner and buffet," Lavin said. "You don't see it as much anymore. Everyone is customizing their wedding much more.

"I think people are much more aware now," Lavin said. "You don't see as much of the extras," such as fancier linens, centerpieces or tenderloin.

"Whereas before it was, 'OK, we can do that; that's fine.' "

Some brides still walk in with lavish weddings in mind, said Peyton of Bravo Bridal. She recalled a bride who talked about a $75- to $150-per-plate reception.

Peyton said, "I'm like, 'Kid, buy a house!' "