WORD IS SPREADING Even the Associated Press notices the trend:

"Money doesn't buy chic class,"Mattie said. "I've been to some pretty expensive weddings that were tacky." Frugal brides are bucking a trend. Before World War I, the average wedding was one-third of a family's median annual income, but cost as a percent of income has been rising ever since, said Alan Fields, co-author of Bridal Bargains. Kelly Hamilton, owner of a consignment shop called I Do Bridal in Chicago, said some brides come to her with "sticker shock." "They realize they're only in that dress for 12 hours and $5,000 later, they've got a dress that's sitting in a box," said Hamilton, who sells dresses that start at $100. "They would rather spend the money on a honeymoon or furniture."

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