Need advice

[Nilsen]

Hi;)
Today my daughter and her friend told us they are going to get married july next year.
Hurra ---:-)
Then she asked if I would take the wedding photos -
by that she mean - the church seremony - and the "official" wedding photos of the bride and groom.
They also have two lovely kids 4 and 12 years old - and want them included in the photoshoot.

Well - I said I can think about it -
I have never taken " officila " wedding pics before - but I have taken a lot of wedding photography - but when it comes too my own daughter - wow - than its scary.

So I wonder if there is some help out there -
I guess I have the equipment I need - but I need Ideas - advice - maybe there is a book out there about this ?

Help :D:D

[tim]

NO WAY. You're the mother of the bride, weddings are hard work, do you really want to miss the wedding because you're working. The photographer's an observer of the day, not a participant. No no no no no.

Did I mention No!

[DigitalSpecialist]

I have to agree with Tim! You are the mother of the bride, so enjoy the day as a parent!

[l0gden]

I think everyone here is right; they are certainly more experienced wedding photographers than I am but I I thought I would share my experience with you as well. Photography is a hobby for me but I agreed to shoot a wedding for a friend of the family who would not have otherwise had photography a few months ago. It was the most stressful and hard work I have done (and I love to make photos). I didn't have time to do anything but the photography from the moment I started until the moment I left (8 or 10 hours). I have shot as a guest and not felt this way but if you are responsible for the images for the day it is a different ball game and you will feel the pressure -- or at least I did. I would guess you want to get more out of the day than photographs; being the mother of the bride. I would strongly suggest you encourage her to find another photographer so you can enjoy the ceremony and reception and interact with the guests. Everyone and every wedding is different, I am sure, but if your experience is remotely like mine you will miss out on anything that you are not directly photographing and you won't have time to enjoy the day.

[AlexMoPhotography]

Why would you even consider it? Is the groom going to be the DJ?

Tell her she needs to budget for a photographer just like any other job out there. Anyone can make a cake, but it takes skill to make a good looking one. Unless she is satisfied with a supermarket brand.

[caught14]

I agree with the other recommendations here -- NO x infinity.

Be rigid and unflinching about this up front. That way there is no gray area of her maybe waiting you out to see if you'll change your mind. I would even go as far as recommending that you offer to pay or to help pay for a photographer if she can't afford one.

[FamilyJules]

I'm on the "NO WAY" bus as well, here. I won't even shoot a friend's wedding for the very reasons stated above. I shoot so many weddings, that when I actually get to be a guest, I get super excited!
Enjoy your daughter's wedding day.... how will you be in the photos if you're taking them? The Mother of the Bride is an important part of the day.