As a wedding photographer for the past five years, I have had the pleasure of working with over 80 couples on their wedding day. I began my career with the help of a friend, who brought me along as her assistant for a large wedding. I was hooked on that day, and I have studied the fine art of wedding photography ever since.

One of the hardest aspects of planning a wedding appears to be all of the "making sure this gets done" items. On the wedding day, the bride is always checking to make sure the flowers are arriving, the rings are with the groom, her dress isn't wrinkled, and more. Brides that prepare their bridesmaids ahead of time stress less during the wedding day itself.

There are many decisions to make for the wedding day. The standard choices a couple has to make for their wedding day include:

• The venue: where the wedding will take place.
• The date: when the wedding will occur.
• The officiant: who will physically marry the couple.
• The food: whether buffet or sit down style, and what food will be served.
• The cake: the type, flavor, size and more of the cake.
• The first dance: the song the couple will dance to.
• The DJ or band: the person responsible for providing music.
• The photographer: who will capture their day in pictures.
• The florist: the type of bouquets everyone will carry.
• The venue decorations: how the venue will be set up, and by who.
• The bridesmaids and groomsmen: who will stand by the couple as they get married.

I have seen weddings that have been planned on a tight budget, and weddings that have not had to consider cost. What I believe matters the most is the choices couples make regarding bridesmaids and groomsmen.

With the right bridesmaids, the bride is calm. The bride is ready to get married and her bridesmaids know what to do in order to help her. The bride has to feel comfortable around all of the women in the room, because she will be getting dressed in front of the women, and she will need help in the bathroom once her wedding dress is on. The right bridesmaids can make all the difference between a stressful wedding day and a calm one.

The groomsmen have an easier job. About five minutes before the photographer shows up, the men get dressed. They help each other put on ties and cufflinks, and then they are ready to go. Although the groom will want to choose men that he can have fun with, he will rarely need much help getting ready.

The food served is often overlooked by many of the guests, and the cake is rarely eaten. While planning a wedding, the food may feel important, but everyone forgets what they are served at a wedding. Stay within your budget when planning what will be served on your wedding day because people will be busy drinking and celebrating. Some of the best weddings I've seen have included a pizza bar, nachos, and a candy table. Make sure everyone is full, but it doesn't have to be with filet mignon.

Choosing the right DJ or band is key for your wedding day. Your DJ is responsible for speaking in the microphone, announcing people as they walk in, and keeping the flow of the day going smoothly. If you hire a DJ that isn't reputable, you are taking a chance that your day will not run well. A solid DJ is worth the extra money it may cost.

The photographer is also an important choice for your wedding day. Many couples find that they are unhappy with their wedding images because they chose to have a friend with a good camera take pictures. The only substantial proof you will have left of your wedding day once it is over are the images captured by the wedding photographer. If you have spent a lot of time and money planning your wedding, it only makes sense to hire a reputable photographer who will capture the essence of your day.

As a professional wedding photographer, I recommend a higher end DJ or band and a reputable photographer. While the venue is important, it is more crucial to make sure that you have a "rain plan" instead. Choose a venue that can accommodate you in case of rain. The food should taste good, but it doesn't have to be fancy. If budget is a factor, stop worrying about the cake. Some of the most beautiful brides have bought their dress online for cheap, and shopped for bridesmaids’ gowns on eBay. It's all about knowing where to save money and what is important to spend money on.