jackl101 Loc: The Villages, FL

Let the pro take most of the pictures but make sure that they know what pictures you would like them to take. Make sure you point out important people, like grand parents in and so fourth. Make sure she makes a list of shots she really wants long before the wedding and give it to the photographer before so he has time to look it over and appoint someone who knows everyone on the list who can gather the people for him. But most of all your daughter will know the shot she wants will be taken.
Of all this I wish your daughter has a great day. And you can enjoy the day without having to worry about missing any of the festivities. Don’t forget to bring a point and shoot for an occasional candid.

Have a great day,

Jeffcs Loc: Myrtle Beach South Carolina

Bad idea!
Ether you dad or your photographer not both
I’m going to be faced with this as well some day
I’m going to be dad first
Will I take a camera, sure but I’m going to be dad!!!

Alb Loc: Lehigh Valley area, Pennsylvania

Regardless of your photography skills, I would tell you to absolutely not do photography on your daughter’s wedding day.

I’ve done hundreds of weddings in my career (clergy), and your one and only job that day is to be her father. To be assigned to be even a backup photographer is crossing the line.

You and your daughter will create much better memories for yourselves if you are just Dad on that day.

steve49 Loc: massachusetts

i would say... terrible idea.
hire somebody to do the job and enjoy the wedding and the guests and the party.

olsonsview

Since it is a destination wedding, I assume the wedding party and family/friend presence will not be huge. Candids through the day should not be beyond your ability. You said a pro will shoot the ceremony, so you have that covered. No reason you should not be able to do a good job. I speak as a retired full time wedding photographer. I shot both of my children's weddings. BUT I hired two of my assistants for each wedding. Certain times I had to do father duties, like escorting the bride down the aisle, and the assistants took over. Yeah I had several days post processing work but I was used to that chore, no biggie. My children were delighted with their albums, and I was proud to have added my own touch to the end results.
Use the Nikon D610, with the 35-70 zoom lens, and the SB-700 flash. Study up to learn the iTTL settings, and maybe ITTL-BL too on that flash, those settings work well and are easy as long as you know how to get to the programs you want without struggling with the buttons if something gets accidentally changed while jostling about on the trip! You may find the Program camera setting to work well with that model camera if you feel challenged making last minute decisions while shooting. Amazing what our cameras computer brain can do. You may not want to haul any more cameras with you. Too difficult on a trip. Just protect that one camera through the trip. The pro should not mind you helping get people together, and you shooting some insurance shots through the ceremony. As long as you do not make yourself into a PITA, he will welcome the assistance and the backup.
If I were getting paid as a pro, I would have two (or three) of every essential piece of equipment minimum. But you do not want to worry about two remembering two different camera systems while under the pressure of producing perfect images. If you had two Nikon D610's, lenses, and flash heads then that would be ideal. But if the camera died by a quirk of fate, the smart phone can come to the rescue? Not likely that would ever happen though if you protect the D610, it is a well made camera. Best Wishes!

traderjohn Loc: New York City

If anything goes wrong and no one is happy with the pictures they will eat your heart with a spoon. No is an answer. Pay for the photographer. Enjoy the day.

berchman Loc: South Central PA

Fleckjohn65 Loc: Ajax Ontario Canada

Talk to the Cruz photog. Ask him if who minds you taking a few shots along with him. Tell him you will not get in the way. Then of course stay out of the way. Also might want to talk to priest or whoever is officiating and ask what their rules are re taking shots during the ceremony. Have fun though. You are giving away ur daughter. Moving experience.

jeryh Loc: Oxfordshire UK

If you are at all doubtful. use the Fuji, it is what a lot of pros use over here for weddings, for a very good reason

fourg1b2006 Loc: Long Island New York

Wedding photographers have a tough job. They know what they're doing. Your putting a big load on your shoulders. Their is no do over.If you do this...i wish you the best...good luck.

Grnway Loc: Manchester, NH

Great idea! Your guests will have fun! I've seen this before and it's a much better alternative to you being responsible. Bring a pocket camera and take photos that you feel like taking.

d2b2 Loc: Catonsville, Maryland, USA

Frankly, my concern is more in line with you - the Dad - not being able to enjoy your daughter's wedding, because you are concentrating on photography.

joehel2 Loc: Cherry Hill, NJ

I would suggest you bring the Fuji to take candids and some B&Ws, shots a Pro doesn’t normally take. Leave the wedding album photos to a professional photographer.

Robert63 Loc: Taunton MA

My niece had a pro at her wedding and asked me to take movies and I did, it made me very nervous but I am glad I did she did not like the photos from the pro and loved the movie I took.

BlueMorel Loc: Southwest Michigan

That's my thought, too. Enjoy the moment. There won't be another one like it. It's like going on vacation - sometimes it's more important to just enjoy the view.