By Jeff Kear, My Wedding Workbook & My Wedding Workbook Pro

First, the bad news (you’re always supposed to start with the bad news so that you can end with good news, right?). 2009 was a tough year all around, and it wasn’t any easier for engaged couples. We conducted a year-end survey of brides who use our online wedding software (of which there are more than 13,000) to find out their opinions on lots of wedding-related topics, and the economy is certainly on their minds. In fact, it’s so much on their minds that it’s affecting their wedding plans.

Of the brides who responded to our surveys, 62.3% said that the recession has influenced their wedding plans and impacted their wedding budget, and they are cutting back in many areas, especially on the honeymoon (58.4%), flowers and decor (57.9%), reception food and drink (54.5%), wedding day transportation (51.0%), and photography and videography (47.5%). So if you are finding yourself scaling back your plans, don’t worry, you’re not alone.

And even if you are scaling back on certain things, that doesn’t mean you have to settle for a wedding that isn’t what you envisioned. Many 2010 brides are making their own decorations, favors, invitations and more to personalize their wedding and save on money at the same time. We found that a large majority of brides – 73.6%, to be exact – are implementing handmade or homemade items into their weddings. Those items that are DIY favorites among brides are invitations (67.1%), reception table cards/place cards (65.8%), wedding favors (65.1%), reception centerpieces (62.5%), reception decorations (53.8%), save-the-date cards (51.2%) and floral arrangements (46.8%). Such handcrafted items give your wedding a warmth and personal flavor that you often just can’t get from store-bought items. And, in case you need a hand, you can even organize an activity at your bridesmaids’ luncheon or bridal shower around everyone creating such items.

Now the good news. There are more and more high-tech tools for engaged couples to help you plan your wedding, and most brides are taking advantage of them.  Engagement photos are hugely popular right now, and more brides are turning to eco-friendly, “green” and organic products and services. And the average wedding size is still between 100-150 guests … so the celebrations are still big and festive.

As for colors, many brides are going with a darker color as their main color. Of our respondents, 13.2% picked navy blue or deep blue as their main color, with another 9.7% opting for black, 8.3% deep red, 7.9% brown/chocolate, 7.9% dark green/hunter and purple/plum 6.9%. But they did choose lighter, vibrant colors like orange, yellow, peach or pink as their secondary or accent color. In 2010, weddings will continue along this trend as couples choose their favorite darker color as an anchor and accent it with fresh, fun colors.

Finally, it seems that weddings are getting slightly more casual. 66.9% of our respondents say that their weddings will feature semi-formal attire for their guests such as suits and cocktail dresses, and 17.6% are going the relaxed route with unbuttoned collars, slacks and skirts. With only 14.6% choosing formal attire like black ties and gowns, it looks like 2010 will be the year of the more casual and laid-back wedding, and that’s a good thing as we all take a deep breath and focus on the real joy of weddings as a celebration of love and commitment.

Happy planning in 2010 – Jeff

Jeff Kear is co-owner of My Wedding Workbook, the the next-generation online wedding planner with free planning tools for engaged couples, My Wedding Workbook Professional Edition, the online business and event management software for wedding consultants.