1. Hire me (Lets get that one out of the way first.).

2. Let someone else run the show.  If you want great wedding photography you need to be relaxed and happy.  Many couples try to plan it all, (which is fine) then manage it all (which is stressful).  If your budget allows, hire someone even if it is only a "day-of-the-event" coordinator.  If you can't afford a coordinator find a friend or family member that loves to run the show and let them go to it.  This is much too precious of an occasion to be worrying about whether the soup is warm or the champagne is cold.

3. Stay (somewhat) sober.  Some of the most beautiful brides I have ever photographed were so intoxicated by the end of their event that photographing them was useless.  Drink water.  Drink lots of water particularly if you are having a summer wedding.  Dehydration and nervousness can exact a toll equal-to or greater-than two bottles of champagne on an empty stomach.

4. Eat what you usually eat from where you usually eat.  Treating your attendants and family to lunch at the new sushi-bar just before your event is a disaster waiting to happen.  A nervous stomach results in a nervous face which results in bad photography.

5. Realize your plan won't work 100%.  The most common riff I see at weddings is when the bride or groom get mad because their plans are not being explicitly followed.  Approach the planning for your event as a framework, then let the pace and persona of your event dictate how the party will play out.

6. Call all your vendors 2 days before your event.  You only need to attend one wedding where the Justice of the Peace, or the caterer, or the DJ doesn't show up to realize just how miserable people can look when things aren't going well.  Remember some professionals are booked up to a year (or more) in advance.  Everybody makes mistakes.  Making a few phone-calls shortly before your event will make sure they don't make one on your day.

7. Beware of videographers that rarely shoot weddings.  Videographers and photographers can clash at weddings.  Videographers dislike photographers that pop 1,000+ flashes during an event.  Photographers dislike videographers that are constantly way-way-too-close to the bride and groom and appear in every photo (It's a wedding, not a music video.).  Hire photographers and videographers that shoot 30+ weddings per year and they should understand the need to give each other space. 

BONUS TIP:
Parents paying for it all?
Want to make Mom and Dad think every penny they spent on your wedding was worth it?  Ask them or surprise them with the opportunity to renew their vows.  It only takes a few moments between your ceremony and reception.  I'll take the photos.  The officiate will be happy to say the words.  You are epitome of a grateful, gracious daughter/son.

8. Keep things moving.  Somewhere out there are photographers that will stop an event for an hour (or more) as they fiddle and goof trying to create the perfect portrait(s) between your ceremony and reception.  I refer to these folks as Party Killers.  Limit yourself to 20 or less formal portrait set-ups (of you, family, bridal party ...) and give your photographer a specific time limit (20 minutes is adequate for 20 portrait set-ups).  Rank and insist your most important shots be taken first.   If the portrait session drags on just end it and go enjoy your reception.

9. Tell your vendors what you want.  While some couples have no problem communicating their wants and needs, others figure they'll just let everyone do what they think is best.  While that may be fine manners, it doesn't help you look any happier.  So, if you want the DJ or band to play something different, tell them.  If you want your photographer to take a special photograph, make sure they know.

10. Plan your event during the "Magical Hour".  Many of the finest photographs I have taken happened during the photographic "Magical Hour" that occurs the hour before sunset.  If you can plan your event to take you outside during this time you will be rewarded with fabulous pictures, particularly if you hire me.

11. Keep the amateur photographers away.  While I have never told a wedding guest to put down their camera and get out of my way, I have been tempted to many, many times.  The problem occurs when someone shows up with $200 worth of new camera and decides to take dozens and dozens of shots of the bride and groom at close range.  The result is every shot I take has this amateur in the frame.  You don't want that, and I don't want that.  I suggest you ask them to either leave their gear at home, or to photograph everyone else at the party and stay clear of you.

BONUS TIP:
Wild, Mild, or somewhere in between?
Not everyone wants a wild reception, but if you do ... A shot block is an ice-sculpture with a sluice carved in it from top to bottom.  Bartender pours double shots into the top.  Your guests take turns gulping down the chilled liquor at the bottom.  After a round or two there's always plenty to photograph. (Ideal if no one has to drive home.)

12.  Let your kiss linger.  Perhaps the most cherished image from anyone's wedding is the moment of the kiss.  So, don't just make it a peck.  Conversely, don't get too wild.  A series of sweet kisses makes for great photography and nicely caps off your ceremony.

13. DON'T CRY ABOUT YOUR HAIR!  I arrived at three different  weddings last weekend to find all three brides crying!  Not because their groom-to-be had said something stupid.  Not because an old boyfriend had suddenly reappeared and confessed his undying love.  Because their hair wasn't right.  For this specific reason I now carry a quart of hair-gel and a bag of scrunchies in my kit.  If the situation is so bad you want me to whip a high-n-tight French braid onto your head, I'm happy to help.  If not I suggest you don't worry about it.  No one is going to say you've got bad hair on your wedding day.  If they do, don't serve them any cake.