clanmack Loc: Asheville, NC

A few years after high school, one of my best friends invited me to his wedding. I had a Canon Ftb 35 mm and was a rank amateur. He and his parents asked me to photo the wedding once I arrived. I tried my best to say no, didn’t know what I was doing, get someone else to, I even thought about say my sight
was compromised (I didn’t), I didn’t think I could do it (true). They were so nice and insisted. I took the film to get it developed as I left on a week long trip. Out of four rolls not one photo was worth it. I felt humiliated and terrible for my friend and his family and still do to this day 45+ year’s later. DON’T DO IT NO MATTER
WHAT.

Booker

After all the negativity, let me add a little encouragement. I have never done a "professional" wedding shoot. My sister-in-law asked me to shoot her wedding as backup to the pro. When all was said and done, she found my photos superior to his. When I got married many years ago, We hired a so-called professional who did a terrible job, I have a couple of friends who are pro wedding photographers by trade and they do a wonderful job. Much better than I could do. . . But there is no reason you can't do a basic, competent job of documenting this event. Proceed with confidence. You should not need any new equipment. I have done quite a few weddings for relatives who were on a shoestring and could not afford a pro. They were very satisfied. Just proceed with confidence, act like a pro and keep it basic. Good luck!

polonois Loc: Lancaster County,PA.

Don't do it . Hire a photographer and tell them it your wedding present to them.

gmango85

That's what I did at my wedding

pendennis

My last assignment came about five years ago. I've been retired from doing weddings and portraits for over 23 years. My youngest brother was getting married, and his photographer got hospital ill the night before the wedding. When my wife and I packed for the trip, I told her I would take my D500, lenses, and flashes (SB800 and a Vivitar 285HV slave), instead of my Nikon Cool Pix. Saturday came, and I was back in business. After a couple of minutes I was immersed in my tasks, with my wife running the script(s) we had done many times before. I was in a couple of family set-ups, but stayed behind the lens all day.

When I was finished, I spent a couple of days editing, and Fedexed a memory stick containing the finished album to him and his new wife.

That stated, I don't recommend stepping in, especially as an amateur, unless it's life or death.

weedhook

Let's face it. You are probably going to do it regardless. I agree with those who said not to accept payment of any kind. Then if it turns out to be a disaster, they can't complain (too much). If you can, go to the locations prior to the wedding day with your camera, lenses and someone else. Try to get the same lighting turned on that will be there on the day of the wedding. Use the someone else as a model and take some shots to get an idea of the camera settings that will produce a decent picture. Do some research online and find out what are the standard types of pictures that the pros usually take. Make a list of what pictures you need to take and at what point in the wedding these need to be taken. Meet with the couple beforehand and get them clued in as to what you will need to do and how you intend to handle it. Then say a lot of prayers. You're going to need them. But don't be surprised if all turns out well and the couple is happy. After all, since they fired the pros, they may not have high expectations. Good luck!

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

OP has already said that he’s not doing it. Doesn’t anyone read the thread?

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

GoofyNewfie pointed that out back on page 3

We hold these truths to be self-evident...

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

Yes. I think I pointed it out on page two. You are correct.

Sometimes the subsequent answers to a question already asked and answered may help others, but this horse is well on the way to the glue factory.

Andy

sroter Loc: Montreal,Quebec. Canada

You are setting yourself for a big letdown and a lot of guilt and a no win situation for you. It's a big deal for them, they'll hold you responsible for ruining their big day. (Not saying your not a good photog) Save yourself a lot of heartache.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Oh, yes I see that both you and TriX acknowledged seeing the OP's follow-up. And yet the advice keeps coming. We should do a discussion topic on the perspective of this kind of behavior

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

Personally, I think it’s a combination of good intentions and laziness. The house we live in.

“That’s America to me...”

Andy

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Well said

drklrd Loc: Cincinnati Ohio

Really doubt they fired them. They probably just never hired them. Everyone gripes about the price. Not everyone understands there is a lot of work before and after a wedding to produce an album. The price is linked to the unseen labor and costs. Just like a mechanic at your local garage you are not only paying for the final work but also the talent and labor involved.
As for you shooting the wedding leave it to the pros. You have no idea what goes into producing the shots needed and the lab type work needed nor the labor needed to produce the album. Since I am a pro I know what to do and the labor involved that no one sees. Oh and like any other business there is the cost of running the store front like gas and electric and water. The same overhead the mechanic needs to charge for. If you do not know what lens to use then you must not know what shots to make or anything about posing the bride and groom much less how to make group shots look good in a dark church. Much less what flash guns you need and most important will you have more than one camera. You will need a backup for each piece of gear you have. Unlike a mechanic who can send out for the tools he needs if he does not have the tool needed, can you send out for another camera body or lens while at the wedding? You drop a lens what do you do call Nikon or Canon to have an immediate replacement dropped off to you an a Saturday or Sunday?
Without training you are just a backyard mechanic when it comes to weddings or any other event that cannot be shot a second time. I have done wedding shots for studio owners who hire someone who did not do their job right. It cost the studio owner more to do the reshoot than he charged for the wedding photography. His problem was he did not hire a real pro. He hire a friend he thought was capable and it turned out his friend was no real photographer. His friend had a few good 8x10 glossies and claimed to be a real pro. I bet the friend he hired copied the shots of a real pro to get the job. Have them hire a real Pro and go as a guest without the camera. I am a pro and I go to weddings of friends without my camera.

drklrd Loc: Cincinnati Ohio