Others sign up for such procedures as teeth whitening, while more time-poor brides are hiring planners to organise their big day.
Experts doubt the economic gloom will have a negative impact on the wedding market as brides are prepared to pay big money for their special day.
Bridal on Pulteney owner Angela Sgarbossa said more brides were choosing non-traditional colours for their dresses.
“It’s a generation that has paid their own way, and are used to making decisions for themselves, so why shouldn’t it be the same when it comes to the most important dress they’ll wear?” she asked.
“The modern bride is veering from tradition and choosing dresses that make them feel attractive and reflect their personal style, from black and red to deep green and brown.”
please keep following The changing face of wedding gowns will be showcased at the Spring Bridal Ideas Expo today and tomorrow at the Adelaide Showground.
Expo director Elizabeth Falloon said there was a trend towards unique weddings such as sky diving and deep-sea diving.
She said a poll taken of more than 100 exhibitors last year, showed less than half of weddings fell into the traditional category.
“We have brides who get married deep-sea diving. Others walk down the aisle in a bright red dress. A truly “traditional” wedding is hard to come by.”
New York brides are making their bridesmaids sign contracts specifying everything from prohibiting them gaining weight to having a tan.
Geoff Slater, of Elite Weddings and Functions, said while he had not heard of local brides going to this extreme he said a recent bride had “dropped” a bridesmaid in the middle of wedding plans because she was deemed inappropriate in her appearance.
Brides can be “very, very, demanding,” he said.
Mr Slater did not think “even in this economic climate brides would spend less” because it was their most important day.