Say yes to the Dress

Bad economy be damned: Americans still want to get hitched in style, and that means dropping lots of dough. With reality shows and movies putting all sorts of extravagant ideas into the heads of brides- and grooms-to-be, now's the time to invest in these wedding-related companies.

With the average cost of a wedding topping $20,000, shaving off a few thousand bucks on the dress could translate into a nicer reception, more guests or a longer honeymoon. So if you're hunting for the perfect wedding gown, consider these tips that may have you skipping down the aisle.

Even if I wasn't engaged, I would still be a fanatic of the TLC show "Say Yes to the Dress." It's one of the most soothing reality shows out there -- it doesn't make you feel depressed about humanity, like "Jersey Shore." And the setting -- a 69-year old bridal boutique in downtown New York -- is a...