After photographing well over a hundred weddings, I’ve had a front-row seat to how wedding days actually unfold. And there are a handful of things I’ve noticed again and again that couples often don’t realize when they’re planning their own wedding. These are a few of the things I’ve learned!

For our honeymoon, my husband and I stayed at a luxury all-inclusive resort in Playa del Carmen. Using points we earned from credit card sign-up bonuses, we booked five nights completely free. There would’ve been no way we’d pay for this in cash, let alone staying in one of the premium suites!