VOTE: What’s the most important part about a wedding ceremony?

It’s bridal fair season in New Jersey. This is the time of year when engaged couples go from place to place to make their plans for what hopefully will be the only wedding they will ever have - that’s a good thing since they may not be able to afford another one.

How much do you think the average wedding costs - between flowers, photography, invitations, ceremony, reception and dress? Try about $20,000! And we’re talking about an average wedding here!

As a former wedding DJ, I’ve seen a wide variety of weddings from the fire halls, to the top ball rooms. May I suggest, no matter where you get married, make sure you have the right entertainment. Dave Hoeffel of Sound Choice DJ’s concurs:

"The music is the #1 make-or-break aspect of any wedding reception, yet it often falls near the bottom of the budget. Ice sculptures, chocolate fountains, and monogramed cocktail napkins are all very nice, but they have nothing to do with the outcome of the party, and they won't matter if what's coming out of the speakers is wrong."

The music in my opinion really is the most important aspect of the wedding since it can make or break the party no matter where it is, how it looks, or what you’re eating. Hoeffel adds:

"Look at it this way God forbid the kitchen burns down at your reception location...but you can order a bunch of pizzas and send out a couple of groomsmen to get them, and still have a party. If somebody steals the beer and wine and liquor, you can send a couple of groomsmen down to the local beverage distributer to restock, and still have a party. But if something's wrong with the music, or the DJ doesn't show... no party. Maybe somebody runs home to grab their iPod boombox... good luck with that."

What do you feel is the most important component of a wedding?

Do you have an answer different from the options in the poll? Let us know what you think by posting in the comments below.