Here comes the bride ... then come the bills.

Depending on whose figures you believe, the average cost of an American wedding in 2008 was roughly $21,814, not counting rings or honeymoon.

That's about 6 percent more costly than a wedding in the first few months of this year, according to research firm The Wedding Report.

Still, as summer nears, the most popular time for couples to tie the knot, couples and their families here are keeping up appearances despite the recession, and they're spending -- just not as much.

"As bad as [the economy] seems, just from talking to my associates in other parts of the country, Pittsburgh seems to be a little more bullet-proof," said Bonnie Tambellini, owner of Entertainment Unlimited in the Banksville section of the city.

"We are getting calls from bands and performers in Ohio now who want to work in the Pittsburgh area. I don't know if that's because there is less work [for them there]."

Big fancy weddings still are being held, but local business owners involved in the state of matrimony said they are seeing a subtle downsizing.

"The size of the wedding is getting smaller, so the quality of the wedding can be maintained," said Pam Olivo, co-owner of Bridal Beginning in Mt. Lebanon, which specializes in bridal wear.

"We are finding that while the size of the wedding is changing, [brides and grooms] are making cuts in other areas. Gowns are still very important to them."

Business hasn't dropped at MB Bride and Special Occasion in Greensburg, according to Jennifer Mason, a manager.

"But it almost seems like girls are taking a longer time to buy. Sometimes they're coming in and not buying on the first visit, but others are still not batting an eye. You still see girls come in [immediately] buying from head-to-toe: the dress, headpiece, bra, shoes ... "

MB's Web site states, "We Welcome Any Bride On Any Budget." The business offers dresses from $299 to $1,800 and draws customers from a multi-state area as well as fielding inquiries through its online site.

The dress on the lower end of the price scale, Ms. Mason said, is probably less formal or a clearance item. The majority of the shop's customers plan to spend $1,100 or so, which she said is the national average.

"Over-the-top spending is old-fashioned," said Barbara Patterson, owner of The Orchid in Whitehall.

"There has been no change in the number of weddings -- people are still getting married -- however, they are looking for a less expensive dress and looking closer at the options."

Mrs. Patterson said her store is better positioned than some to weather an economic recession.

"We don't really have the high-end designer bridal gowns, so we have been surviving pretty well, and we are cautiously optimistic."

Bridesmaid dresses have long been an adjustable part of the wedding. Gone are the days when everyone had to wear matching outfits, although that remains a popular choice.

A growing trend has bridesmaids choosing "mix and match" outfits in the same color palette or materials. That way, one might spend $200 on a dress but another might choose to spend much more.

On one online wedding forum, a prospective bride said she saved money by picking out a dress for her attendants, then ordering the same dress in white for herself.

Still, the "It's My Big Day" attitude often prevails and many are willing to splurge in smaller ways.

Mark Serrao, owner of Oakmont Bakery, estimates 20 percent of his wedding customers choose a basic, traditional white wedding cake.

"We haven't really noticed an impact [of the recession] on any part of the bakery at all. My thinking is that many have the attitude of 'I'm not getting a new car, but I'm buying this eclair. I won't deny myself that,' " Mr. Serrao said.

"Maybe I'm a little prejudiced, but the cake is a centerpiece of the wedding. It's a time for the bride to be unique in her style. We can do the detail of her dress on the sides of the cake; there are so many choices.

"It used to be, all wedding cakes looked the same: White on the outside, white on the inside."

He and Bethel Bakery owner John Walsh agreed that the uptick in high-end, labor-intensive cakes is attributed to the popularity of television shows such as the Food Network's "Ace of Cakes."

"I have to say, the Food Network is mentioned by at least half our brides," Mr. Walsh said. "It's been a great idea resource.

Although the price of flour and other materials has increased substantially in the past year, local bakers said they have tried to keep price increases moderate.

A basic wedding cake at Oakmont Bakery might sell for as little as $2 a slice, but a more elaborate cake might cost $5 a slice. It's not just the rise in cost for flour and eggs that makes a wedding cake more expensive; they're labor-intensive on the decorating side.

At Creations By Carlini, baker Vince Carlini and his wife, Janet, do about 10 to 15 wedding cakes a weekend during "wedding season," from May to October.

Their McKees Rocks bakery is small, and they're not doing as many high-end cakes as some of the bigger establishments.

"What I've found is that people love the thought of [elaborate cakes], but they don't really want to pay the money. We're still doing the same amount of traditional cakes we usually did, with a few upscale designs," Mrs. Carlini said.

Some bakeries suggest the budget-minded bride and groom consider a "cake table." This allows guests their choice of small servings of different cakes, or cake slices to match the actual, smaller or less-elaborate wedding cake.

Entertainment Unlimited serves a wide area of Western Pennsylvania, booking everything from clowns to classical musicians. Weddings are a big part of the business.

Although she hasn't seen a big difference in the level of services requested, Ms. Tambellini said, "we are noticing that people are holding out longing before committing.

"We used to book a year or six months in advance. People are now booking closer and closer to the date of their wedding.

"When you line up a hall or a band far in advance, you have to put down the deposit. And because the economy is all over the board, I sort of understand why people are waiting.

"I sense from talking to brides, they still want something very special for 'their day,' so they're waiting a little longer to make the decision."

Demand still exists for bigger bands, but there has been an upswing in requests for three- and four-member groups that can play a variety of music styles.

Booking a disc jockey is even cheaper, and they're in high demand as well, Ms. Tambellini added.

Disc jockeys can run from $500 per event to $1,500, which would include extra lighting and equipment. A live trio might be $800, and an eight-piece band can cost up to $5,000.

"And some people, bless their souls, still book larger bands from $10,000 to $15,000," Ms. Tambellini said.

The eye toward economizing is there, she said. It can mean, however, that instead of cutting back on entertainment or flowers, the couple just invite fewer guests.

"We used to see lots and lots of weddings with 300-350 guests, now it's more 200-250. They still want it to be special, so they are paring down the guest list."

Herman J. Heyl has been in the floral business for 55 years, operating four stores, including two in the South Hills and one in the North Hills.

He said he's definitely seen a change in the past 18 months.

"They're looking for the least expensive things, I'm going to be honest with you. I've never seen so many people asking about prices," Mr. Heyl said.

The price of flowers has increased over time, he said, especially for wedding favorites such as calla lilies and hydrangeas.

"They'll say 'Gee, that's not on my budget.' Flowers seem to be the last thing on the budget anymore."

Herman J. Heyl's buys many of its flowers locally from wholesalers, which might cost the company more, Mr. Heyl said, but it guarantees that it will get exactly what it ordered.

The price of roses, a staple in bouquets, also has risen, he said.

"It depends on the color and the length of them, too. Sometimes you have a difference in the shading of the rose and that makes a difference [in availability and price]."

Brides are opting to use more greenery and less expensive flowers, such as daisies and carnations. Smaller bouquets might save a little on price because fewer flowers are used, but the charge for labor is practically the same as for a larger bouquet.

Mr. Heyl said he works with a number of hotels and banquet halls, providing the floral arrangements based on a price structure chosen by the wedding couple. Some package deals dictate the size and variety of the table arrangements.

"If they want something bigger, there is an upscale charge," Mr. Heyl said. "We give them a choice, something like six different types [of arrangements] in that price range."

In general, those who help create "the big day" for couples said this part of the country has been fortunate. Prospective brides and grooms are being more careful in their spending, but they're still spending.

"We are in somewhat of a recession-proof business," said Mrs. Olivo, owner of Bridal Beginning. "A wedding is something you dream of from the time you're very small, and I am hoping that amid all the things that get watered-down, this is something that continues to have a large importance in our lives.

"The dress is just a part of that."