During trying, economic times, bridal designers are forced to think creatively. On top of slashing prices, designers are cooking up new, imaginative designs to lure in the bride to be. Vera Wang, for example, reduced her price points up to 50 percent with gowns retailing at $3,600 compared to $5,500 last year. "There is a bigger challenge. You have to be creative and be sure you want to show something special,” said Carolina Herrera who came up with a unique bridal collection inspired by classic painters such as Claude Monet and Édouard Manet.

(L-R: Carolina Herrera, J.Crew, and Oscar de la Renta)

To read more about how bridal designers are thinking bigger and cheaper read more.

• J.Crew is offering its once online exclusive bridal collection in select stores.
• Alfred Angelo, a 75-year-old bridal label, launched a Recessionista collection with prices starting at $298.
• To play up brides’ unique personalities, Junko Yoshioka teamed up with astrologist Susan Miller to create a collection inspired by the various astrological signs.
• Monique Lhuillier designed a new bridesmaid line retailing between $250 and $390.

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