When Kimberly Scarpulla got engaged in July 2007, she said she had an idea of what an average wedding would cost.

"You cannot get married these days for under $20,000," she said.

According to The Wedding Report, the average wedding in the U.S. costs $28,800.

After doing the math, Scarpulla and her fiancé, Eric, decided buying a home was more important than spending a ton of money on their wedding -- so they decided to plan it on a smaller budget.

And that doesn't mean she can't have her dream wedding, according to experts.

Sharon Naylor, author of 1,000 Best Wedding Bargains said the focus has moved more to having a wedding on budget. "The wedding industry has recognized that couples don't want to spend a fortune, so they're offering more budget priced packages that are quite attractive."

Have A Set Number, Priority List

Naylor said that when planning a wedding on a budget, it is best to have a set money figure in mind to use as a guide. It's also very important to stick to it.

Naylor said to start with checking the average prices of what things cost in your area. Use those figures as a guide and try to beat them.

And don't figure credit into your budget, either.

"If you can't afford things, don't go putting everything on plastic," Naylor said, adding that couples often do this thinking they will get the money back in wedding gifts.

"It almost never works out that way, and then you'll be left with massive credit card debts and monthly minimum charges that can stretch you thin, starting off your marriage with money fights," she said.

Decide What's Important

Christina Friedrichsen, author of Intimate Weddings: Planning a Small Wedding that Fits Your Budget and Style, said couples should sit down and decide what they really want to splurge on.

But, she said, be realistic.

"The key is to ask yourself what really is important," she said. "You can still have that really great dinner or great dress, you just have to cut back on other things."

Naylor said the first thing to do as a couple is to make a priority list. Write down the top five things you want for your wedding and the five things you don't want or don't care about. If you're set on an expensive dress, you could cut back on things like limousine shuttles from the reception to a hotel.

The money in your budget should be shifted to the things that are high priority for you.

"Take your low priority list and let people help you with those items," Naylor said.

Cut Corners On Details

Once you have your priority list, the Internet is the next place to go.

There are many books and online resources that can help brides find ways to cut costs without sacrificing their special day.

Naylor recommends researching wedding vendors and wholesalers online and comparing prices on things like favors, invitations and centerpieces. Restaurant supply stores also offer online deals on things like serving platters, wine glasses and centerpiece vases.

Naylor said sometimes an item can cost three times as much in a retail store.

Stretch Your Floral Budget

When it comes to flowers, Friedrichsen said, wholesalers often have great prices. Naylor said it is usually the labor that becomes costly, so she recommends asking the designer to keep bouquets and centerpieces to smaller sizes. Another option is to consider making the bouquet yourself. Many brides are taking a do it yourself approach to their bouquets, with great result.

"Low-set centerpieces in great colors are every bit as beautiful, and some say more modern and clean looking than big, dramatic centerpieces elevated above the table," she said.

Using non-traditional flowers or asking for in-season flowers can also save you a few bucks. The wedding budget can be stretched if brides consider using the ceremony flowers at the reception as well.

Some brides are looking outside of the box for table centerpieces. Fresh fruit, individual cakes and other interesting elements are used to draw warmth and attention to each table.

Trim Budget On Food

One new money-saving trend is skipping the dessert. More couples are just serving cake instead of an elaborate dessert table, saving a large amount of money. Candy shop themed weddings are an easy way to offer sweets without expensive cake cutting fees.

Appetizer receptions have become more popular as well. Guests snack on hors' de oeuvres and mingle before the dance begins.

Brunch or lunch weddings can also save a lot of money and be just as nice. "Daytime weddings can still be very elegant," Friedrichsen said.

Naylor said one tip to save about 40 percent on wedding food is to ask for a combination platter rather than offering guests their choice of entrees. She said when you have a choice of three things, the chef has to order more food, so creating a combination plate can avoid that extra cost.

Couples can also save a lot of money on rehearsal dinners. Friedrichsen recommends having something more casual, such as a backyard BBQ. "Sometimes rehearsal dinners are so expensive, they are like a second wedding."

Skipping mixed drinks at an open bar can also scale back your cost. You can offer beer, wine and wine coolers and still have very happy guests, Friedrichsen said.

Inexpensive Beauty

Other little ways to save are by doing your own hair and makeup and checking bridesmaid's dress racks for your wedding gown. Naylor said many of the styles come in white and can be significantly less money. Designers are realizing that many brides prefer less-expensive dresses, so lines such as Charsa and Coren Moore have begun offering beautiful bridal gowns -- and bridesmaid gowns in bridal colors -- for under $500.

Choosing the day of your wedding also matters for your wallet. "Ask to see the price lists for off-season weddings and be prepared to snap up a Friday night for even further savings," Naylor said.

Keep It Small

One of the ways Scarpulla said she cut costs was by keeping her guest list small. Each guest technically has a price-tag over their head.

Friedrichsen said this is a great way to have a stunning wedding on a budget. Think about whether you'd prefer to host 200 people at a cost of $60 each - weigh in averaged cost of reception hall, transportation, decoration, food and alcohol -- or 40 people you really care about at the same price.

Smaller weddings can be held at more creative places such as art galleries, museums or even at your home.

But Naylor warns to still watch the costs at a non-traditional place. "If you choose a museum as the site of your wedding, you might have to rent tables, chairs and other serving items that you wouldn't have to rent at a banquet hall." She recommends checking with a local tourism department or wedding coordinator to find a great location for less.

If you decide to go with a smaller wedding, scaling down your guest list can be tough.

Friedrichsen said to go through with your significant other and ask each other why you are inviting certain people. If you leave people out, it is OK to be honest with them and tell them it is just for family and close friends. If your list balloons out of control, break it down into tiers -- people on "list a" receive the first round of invitations, as their RSVPs arrive and some guests decline attendance, begin to invite people from "list b."

Don't Go Overboard

Naylor said one mistake some brides and grooms make can highly offend their guests. She said some have a formal wedding and serve only pasta and soup for one hour and do not offer any dessert or cake while having a cash bar. Naylor said this makes it very obvious that they cut corners in order to make money on the wedding.

And unhappy guests mean less for the couple, she said. "Many guests give their gifts after the wedding anyway, so they'll change the amount on the check to reflect what they received at the wedding," she said. "Sad, but true."

Naylor said even on a budget, there are certain things to not skimp on. When it comes to food, entertainment, photographs and dress alterations, Naylor said to go pro.

"People remember the meal and entertainment," Friedrichsen said.

Scarpulla said one thing she and her groom could not skimp on were photos, honeymoon or food. "We are going to be sure to have plenty so no one leaves our wedding hungry," she said.

But to her, what matters the most is what the day really means. "I think a lot of people forget what the actual wedding is about because they are too busy trying to impress their guests," she said. "For me, my dream wedding is happening on a budget because I am marrying my dream.