For many, wedding bells call for an opulent touch.

Byline: Jackie Burrell

Apr. 3--The dewy bride came down the runway swathed in taffeta and lace, walking with that distinctive wedding aisle cadence -- step, pause, glow. And then, as misty-eyed spectators took notes, more brides followed, one after another in elaborate designer gowns, down the bridal fashion catwalk. Step, pause. Ka-ching. Weddings are a $70 billion a year industry, a tulle and froth creation fueled by glossy magazines the size of phone books, glitzy bridal fairs and Madison Avenue. These days, bridal parties think nothing of jetting off to Vegas or renting out a spa for a bachelorette shindig. Flower girls don't drop petals -- they distribute full-blown corsages to every guest on the aisle. And it's not enough to have a wedding planner -- some men decide to use proposal planners as well. If that's too much for a fevered bride to contemplate, well, there are elopement planners, too. "The …