PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

I agree. The 50mm for candid shots where you prefer not to use flash. The 18-150 for general purpose with flash fill.
Try not to be a distraction for the guests.

P.S. I have been the "not official photographer" at a few weddings and the official one once for a friend.

Drbobcameraguy Loc: Eaton Ohio

Thanks Stan for giving him advice instead of run. Also the offer to truly help. Some people just don't have the money. It makes them no less people. I know this post is off topic but I felt you should be thanked. Sorry to hear you shot weddings so long. Lol.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

My view was that "Today I will do the BEST wedding photography that I ever did"
(99 percent of my clients were referrals and 1 percent from a bridal trade show. They were always fun.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

Go to Lensrentals.com and rent a 24-70 for your body, because the rest of yours, other than the 50 mm, will not give you the flexibility.

Now, lighting is critical for a wedding. Do you have a Speedlight? Do you know about bounce and fill flash?

There are numerous YouTube videos that will guide you, but let me tell you, as a Landscape photographer, you're in the twilight zone.

flyboy61 Loc: The Great American Desert

Don't forget the flash!

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

Some people are touchy about wedding photography. They think that the only way to do it is to hire a professional and pay the needed money.

I do not agree with that philosophy. It's the same philosophy that calls for a custom made wedding dress (that will only be worn once) and a fancy venue. My new daughter (step-daughter) is getting married next year and we are into the throes of choosing all the "right" stuff and places. Fortunately I can afford it, but I certainly understand that some can't. Large planned weddings can be cheaply done for around $20,000 and the price goes up from there. Just having a dinner reception will cost $100 per guest at a minimum (we have quotes up to $500 per). That money could represent a good start on the down payment on a house.

For my first wedding, I didn't have a clue. It was 54 years ago and the bride's family took the hit. I have no idea how much it cost. We had a professional photographer and we got a wedding album and a bunch of prints to send around to the family. The wedding album got pulled out to show visitors for the first year, then maybe once a decade for a couple decades after that, after which it sat in a drawer. I did generate digital copies for the family history but it's more for the purpose of showing future generations what their ancestors looked like.

For my second wedding I took the photos. I also accepted photos from other people. Put together an album and had it printed at Costco. Got a shot of everyone (20 people) at the dinner by setting the camera on a tripod and using the timer. My camera was able to take about 20 shots at 5 second intervals with flash. Since everyone was together (including me) I was able to select frames with individual people smiling and photoshop them all together so everyone was smiling.

I believe it is important to have photographs of a wedding. I just don't believe that it is really necessary to have them professionally produced. If you can afford it, all well and good, but it doesn't sound like that is the case here. If you have some experience with photography you can produce acceptable photographs for the family history. Your experience will help you avoid taking backlit shots with no faces visible.

My recommendations:
Check out the wedding venue. Maybe with the couple (or at least with someone) and take some test shots. Do it at the same time that the ceremony is planned so the lighting will be similar.

Since the important thing is to get photos for the family history, get a list of people and plan to get group shots. Small groups. Related people and people becoming related together.

If it's in a church, check with the church about using flash. Some churches consider it a distraction to the ceremony so you'll have to work with available light or maybe get some extra light in (churches can be quite dark).

If possible, use a long lens for the ceremony. Having a photographer right up in the middle of the ceremony can be distracting.

In general, flash is OK at a reception. You will need it anyway if there's dancing to freeze motion.

Naturally, have extra batteries and cards. Take a battery charger so if you need to switch batteries you can start the first one charging while you're using the next one.

Of course, have a good talk with the B/G and the parents thereof to be sure they understand your perceived limitations.

PS: I agree with the LensRentals suggestion. I have a 24-70 f/2.8 and it's one of my most used lenses, very flexible. I should note that my cameras handle high ISO pretty well so I do not use f/2.8 very often because of limited DOF.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

I should copy and paste all the responses to the OP's question and simply repost all of it every time similar questions arise- and they are not uncommon. All these answers are usually this same pro and con mix. Remember- everyone means well!

I have been photographing weddings, professionally or well over 50 years so here's my overview.

TO THE OP:

I have no idea of your capabilities as a photographer. You may very well be capable of providing photographs that will satisfy the wedding couple. OR NOT! Oftentimes even talented and technically savvy shooters can not keep up with the pace and function efficiently in the midst of an emotional and fast-paced event.

I'm a pretty good teacher/instructor and there are lots of folk on this forum that can help but even if everybody wrote a detailed post, it would be impossible to create a simple "instruction manual" that would cover every aspect of wedding photography.

Lens selection is important. Focal length differs for various kinds of required shots. Normal to medium telephoto is suitable for portraits. Normal to medium-wide for groups and, shoot in close quarters, and all over ceremony and receptions shots. Medium telephoto is good for ceremony shots where you can't have close access, and if flash is prohibited, a faster lens is required for darker churches or similar venues. You have to be careful with wide-angle lenses that you don't get distortion and foreshortening of full length and group subjects.

How are you at fast shooting? Sometimes the action happens fast so being at the right place at the right time is important and many shots can not be repeated. Sometimes folks are nervous and you have to deal with emotional family dynamics.

There is no use in criticizing the family you are doing this for- if they can't afford professional service- they can't afford it and it is good of you to help them out. If the wedding is taking place soon, it's apt to be a small intimate affair, what with Covid and restrictions- this may be easier to cope with. If it gonna be a big celebration, that can be difficult to cover without previous experience.

The reasons some many well-meaning folks are trying to dissuade you is because oftentimes the couple or their family do not seem very fussy or demanding but after the wedding, if for some reason they are dissatisfied, all heck breaks loose and you have a disgrunteled bride, goom, dad on your hands.

You are a reasonable adult and you must make the best decision based on what you can do and what the folks expect.

If you decide to do the work, my best advice is to sit down with the wedding couple, well in advance, find out what their expectations are, tell them what you can provide them with, PLAN the basic shots that they want (make a list), make sure they allow some time for some formal shots so you are not unnecessarily rushed, secure permission from the clergy or officiator as to flash usage if you need to use it, go to the venue, if possible, a few days in advance and make some test exposures and try to relax and enjoy the wedding and your role in the event.

Another suggestion, if you have time and if it is possible, shoot an "engagement session" of the couple something casual and romantic. Good practice and confidence-building for all of you and if they love the results, you are on the right track.

At the wedding, shoot lots- brig extra memory cards, a spare camera and, just in case, bracket exposure in difficult lighting conditions!

I hope I am not sending you into mortal combat! May the good spirits watch over you! GOOD LUCK!

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

I think it's a terrible idea, and I would strongly suggest that if you want to keep your relationships with the friends and son, you graciously decline. Your lenses are not very fast, you don't have a speedlight (or the knowledge to use one), and you don't seem to have a backup camera.

But if you insist, you can learn a lot here:

https://neilvn.com/tangents/wedding-photography-tutorials/
https://www.pixpa.com/blog/become-expert-wedding-photographer
https://digital-photography-school.com/wedding-photography-21-tips-for-for-amateur-wedding-photographers/

and by googling "wedding photography tips" and such.

My usual recommendation is to hook up with a working pro as an assistant, even unpaid if necessary, to learn the trade. Doing a wedding is less about camera and gear, and more about salesmanship, understanding and managing expectations (strong communication skills), and being prepared for just about anything and everything. A successful pro will have most of this under his/her belt. There is really so much to learn you are not going to glean this on an internet forum or a classroom. You'll need to get this knowledge and experience well in advance of the event. You don't want the event to be a learning moment. In short, you need to be prepared to deliver as if you were getting paid. If there is any question in your mind that you can do that, then re-read my first sentence.

The biggest favor you can do for this friend is to convince them to hire an experienced photographer - one who's done weddings before.

Wallen Loc: Middle Earth

Giving the job to professionals and sharing the cost with some friends is the best suggestion here. Asking for help means you have no idea of what to expect and what to do afterwards. That is a slippery slope to stand on and just might cause unfulfilled expectation to you and your friend.

A full wedding coverage is hard for a one man job and it will take a lot of running around before (permissions, event area rules etc.), during and until after(processing, prints etc.) the end of the event.

It is also not a one camera affair.
You will need at least 2 cameras with speedlight. One with a wide lens and another with a telephoto zoom. Both should be fast lenses and most importantly, both cameras have 2 memory cards slots where each photo is saved to both cards in RAW format. Extra batteries & memory cards are also needed.

Changing lenses can cause you missed shots. With a single camera, that dying out in the middle of the event will be a catastrophe. Same goes for the memory cards. It is an event that will not be repeated. Redundancy and foresight is expected.

So its better to hire and then get your gear, attend and shoot whenever you like without tension or pressure.
If you want to learn the trade, follow Gene's suggestion and assist on some weddings before you go on your own.
Should you wish to push trough as is, Shapiro has provided a very good plan but aim to undersell yourself to them so that the expectation level would be easier to achieve or better.

LWW Loc: Banana Republic of America

I wouldn’t do it, but if I did it would be 24, 50 and 10-20.

50 on the body and the two in side jacket pockets.

dave_roe Loc: Rome Italy

Run

You are stepping into a area that could create more bad than good.

I would suggest disposable camera for each table maybe two of them.....let the guests shoot pictures and at the end of the event pick them up and have the shot developed.

I would them tell them you would be happy to shoot but they need to know that the results will be what they are and you will try your best.

You are familiar with taking pictures.... weddings can be a nightmare. Been there and done that mess and I was being paid.

Plan with them in advance a list of shots and then plan on setting them up to take in areas that you are comfortable to work within. Better to have a couple of great shots and remove the pressure of trying to do it all.

TerryVS

As a photojournalist that tried weddings for a bit I would tell you to run! A riot is much calmer and easier to shoot. Suspect you will see this advice for a lot of folks here. Good luck!

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

Your friends have put you in a bad position. If you want to preserve the friendship, be very careful. I am not saying don’t do the wedding, but be certain both you and your friends understand each other if things go badly.
Look to the internet for serious ideas and advice.

traderjohn Loc: New York City

That's a little over the top. I know what the photographer and her two assistants cost us. More than a check one would normally give at a wedding.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

One couple told everyone at the wedding to bring their cellphones and point and shoot cameras and shoot away - with the condition that they all send their images and videos to the couple after the event. The images that were captured were actually true photography in the photojournalistic style. It was a great experiment that proved successful in the end. And they got shots that no single or even a crew of 3 photographers could have gotten - and it cost them nothing but the time to go through the images.