Spend Less on Your Wedding, Have a Credit Crunch Wedding

How would you like to have a credit crunch or budget wedding?

Henry Kaye, a company that sells wedding dresses online and to other retailers, has launched an area on its site: "Credit Crunch Wedding Style -- Budget Weddings." There, customers find "cheap bridesmaids and flower girl dresses" costing less than $84. Putting the phrase on the site has helped sales, says owner Sharon Gavin. "The credit crunch is so of the moment. Everyone is talking about it."

These days, Americans aren't the only ones being socked hard in the wallet -- and suddenly touting cheap chic and recessionista fashion. Britain, too, is coming down from years of unbridled consumerism. Not long ago, Britons en masse considered shopping trips to New York as an economical way to part with their strong pounds. Grocery stores tried to outdo one another with pricey premium and organic foods. Homes were costly and credit was cheap.