luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

To answer your original question. I always tried to get into the church and reception locations early (days ahead if possible) to see which lenses I needed and to get an idea of what I wanted to shoot, where I was going to stand,problems I might encounter, etc. When I was doing weddings it was film and prime lenses. Zooms were too expensive and unreliable at the time. I only had one camera so I made sure that each lense had a spot in the camera bag that I knew when I reached in what lense I had my hands on for changing as fast as possible. You are probably going to need the shorter lense for when they are dressing as you will probably be in small rooms. Also for the reception when you will be taking candids of the guests at tables or in groups. The longer lense for walking down/up the aisle and at the alter. You want to get good shots but be unobtrusive. I would put your best and most reliable lense on your best camera. If you have any equipment that isn't functioning properly fix it, replace it, or leave it behind. This is not the time to hope it works. You should have both cameras on you, either around you neck (a pain) or on a vest or harness. That way you can swap from one to the other. Make sure you have extra batteries (all charged) and cards.

I always tried to take a helper and she was also a photographer and tho her specialty was animal portraits, she had a good eye for posing and catching things that needed fixing like the dress not laying correctly or changing the order they were standing. We were a good team. She had the eye for the unusual shots and I had the technical know how. The one time she couldn't go with me I needed her most. It was a very long Jewish wedding.

My first few times shooting a wedding were as a second photographer to a photograper/instructor. I was his assistant but was shooting also. It gave me practice as both an assistant and photographer and put the needed photos on him. There were several of mine he liked that he paid me for and sold to the couples.

The more things you can plan out ahead of time, like what lenses to use where what shots you want (The bride, groom, and families will always add to what you plan.) the smoother it will go. Good luck!

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

Use both cameras. Put the 28-80 on the 40D and the 75-300 on the rebel. Most of your shots will be with the 28-80. Take along the 18-55 for large group shots. You won't need the 200-400. You'll might need another flash though.

Go to the place of the wedding and reception in advance to get a prospective. Attend the practice and take plenty of photos.

Here is a link that will help. http://www.knotforlife.com/planning/checklists/photography-poses.shtml

You have plenty of time to practice. Don't be scared. Good luck you'll be fine.

doduce Loc: Holly Springs NC

AMEN AMEN AMEN AMEN AMEN AMEN

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Lighthouse, it appears to me as if you have been there and done that. Excellent suggestions, especially having a "wrangler" and volunteering to assist at weddings before the event. Most of the rest, cameras, lenses, set shots, etc., can be gleaned from the Internet or books, but there is no substitute for a "bodyguard" and for real OJT (on-the-job-training).

OnDSnap Loc: NE New Jersey

My 1st wedding was the scariest, (1980)I had no idea what to do, nor did I have the right equipment, a Nikon F2A and an FE with an assortment of lenses...(although I did have a Hasi C500 but it was being used by my partner for another shoot)a couple of SunPac flashes and my wife as a loader. The couple, friends of mine, the girl was an X playboy model who had worked with many biggies which really put the pressure on... she saw my work (not wedding stuff) and insisted I take their wedding photos, reluctantly I did...and they came out actually pretty good. Aside from the regular wedding poses, she wanted nothing but candid shots which made it much more relaxed. It also was an outside late afternoon mansion location...big plus lighting wise and backgrounds weren't a concern. My point is I suppose is, go for it so long as they realize they are taking a chance on you. It may pay great dividends down the road...it did for me...I did weddings for about 3 years almost every weekend after their friends got a look of the job I did. Then I had enough of having no weekends to spend with my family. So I gave up doing weddings... Good Luck.

bull drink water Loc: pontiac mi.

that would be my way to go.tell them it's worth the cost to get their most important day right. if you ever hope to do weddings in the future, ask the pro if you can be his assistant or at least follow him around and mirror his actions.

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

No offense, but the fact that you would even need to pose such a question makes it clear that you are in no way ready to take on this challenge... Do this only if everything else about the wedding is non-professional and low key. In the time before the wedding, concentrate on taking photos of people - maybe submit a few here for critique - there are a number of pros here who will provide guidance on lighting, etc. Learn to use a good flash - along with a diffuser like a "Pocket Bounce". Good luck.

Joecosentino Loc: Whitesboro, New York

Annie, I agree with you, it will cost way more then $500.00!to shoot this wedding.

gemartin Loc: Statesboro, GA

This is spot on. Check it out yourself. Go to a public building, go inside, try to get nice shots of people as they move about. Notice that you cannot? That is because of the entry level gear. Same or worse will happen in many poorly lit churches or temples where you probably will not be able to use flash during the ceremony. Some people will tell you equipment doesn't matter, that it is all about who is behind the camera. Not so, a skilled photographer will be able to do more good with "weak" equipment, but no one can make up for bad light with entry level lenses and bodies. Top that off with your newness and you are likely heading for a disappointment for everyone.

If you do go ahead, you need to rehearse by trying to do a lot of indoor photography. If you get lucky and the wedding is outdoors you will probably be okay. If there is an indoor reception, all of the indoor woes will apply except that you will likely be able to use flash. This opens up even more skill and learning issues.

In any case, good luck with this.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Just keep in mind that you are taking pictures of your cousin getting married. You are not doing brain surgery on her. You can spend $10,000 on new equipment, or you can do the best with what you have. Practice. I'm sure it will turn out fine.

Let us know what happens.

cthahn

Do not do it if you want to stay in good graces with the family. You have no experience. Having a new camera means nothing. No one can tell you what to do as every photo will be different. It is already obvious that you want to play zoom. What lens will you use? Off the camera flash.
You need more that one camera. How fast can you change a lens if the need arises? Will you have a helper? Be prepared to have a spare or more for everything, because if you think nothing will go wrong,, it will.

OnDSnap Loc: NE New Jersey

Some of the most successful people today will tell you... "Take the job and then worry about how to get it done".

Eartha Loc: Charlotte North Carolina

Thank you all... and since it is for my cousin, she do understand that I am NOT a professional. All I can do and will do is my very best. So I will go and practice, practice on taking indoors shots. As soon as I can figure out how to post a couple of images on here, I would like to see what you all think.. Thanks again,and have a good day!

Delderby Loc: Derby UK

I have NO experience. BUT I do know that weddings are a specialised branch of photography, that require far more than just an expert photographer. You will need to stay cool and be absolutely confident. Remember - the guests will expect to see the sample pics the same day, so that they can order. You will need to price them properly. The pics that you take will be in frames and albums for a lifetime of viewing. Top quality printing required! Make certain that the bride and groom are aware of your inexperience, and what your forum friends have advised.

Al Beatty Loc: Boise, Idaho

Hi Eartha,

You've gotten some good advise from the other UHHers. If they have not scared you off then before you make your decision you have the holidays coming up and they could offer you some practice. I'm talking about shooting pix at parties through the Holidays. In so doing you'll be dealing with people who are drinking and having fun much like a wedding reception would be. By New Years you will know whether you want to take on the project (as a newby) or not. If on New Years you decide to go forward then use the time around Valentines Day to shoot pix of couples and groups by setting them up so they are similar for at-the-alter/church type shots. In February you'll definitely know if you want the responsibility of shoot a wedding. Make no mistake, it's tough work. I did some combat photography in the military in the late 60s and I'd rather do that than shoot another wedding because I burned out of doing them after 10 years of it during the 70s. Good luck. Take care & ...