Contrary to what others have said, I honestly wouldn't worry about a lens or a flash at this point...6 months ago maybe, but not now. Unless you know how to use both to their best advantage, all you're doing is adding an extra unknown element to the equation. For example, if you don't know HOW to use that flash properly, chances are you're going to end up with hot spots and such, especially in regards to the bride's dress. If you're real unfortunate, you could end up with the whole wedding party looking like vampires! This applies to the lens as well...your simply better off working with what you already have and are already familiar with. A "cheap kit lens" is going to do more -if- you know how to use it than even the most expensive L lenses will in the hands of a newbie. Instead of "figuring out how to use new equipment", you'd be better off on going with your strengths and working with what you already have and know. Now is NOT the time to go shopping for new toys! Just be aware of your lighting, pay attention to your framing and compositions and check your shots frequently and you should do ok (and having the "highlight warning" turned on in camera helps too!).
Beyond that I would suggest looking around on the web or go to the library/bookstore and get yourself a book that has a list of the "must have" shots...there's really too many of them to keep track of for a beginner. For example, if they want some "formals", you'll need the "bride and groom", "bride with bride's parents", "bride with groom's parents", "groom with groom's parents", "groom with the bride's parents", "bride and groom with bride's parents", "bride and groom with groom's parents", "bride and groom with both sets of parents", grandparents, children, groomsman, bride's maids....the list is nearly endless! Some pre-ceremony candids are also really nice...shots of the groom's father straightening his tie, the bride putting on her garter, etc.. You'll also want special shots during the ceremony such as the exchanging of the rings, the "you may now kiss the bride", the cutting of the cake at the reception (and the smushing of the cake in each other's faces), the garder and bouquet toss, shots of everyone in the wedding party, the dinner tables BEFORE the feast at the reception and for the love of God, don't forget to get shots of the person performing the ceremony! LOL!!! Like I said, get yourself a list!
The thing to remember about photographing a wedding is that you are "telling a story with pictures" that (hopefully) the bride and groom will keep forever, so make sure you tell the WHOLE story. Miss a chapter and you could miss A LOT!
The second thing I would suggest is to shoot more than one of each shot...bracket your shots so that you will get something usable. Since you're shooting digital, MAKE SURE you have enough memory cards!!!! If you only have a single 1 or 2 gig memory card, it's NOT enough...make sure you have -at least- 5 to 7 gigs of memory for the camera and/or something like a laptop handy in case you need to back things up quickly to make more room. Having even the nicest flash or lens in the world isn't going to mean squat if you run out of memory to shoot pictures! Think of it this way, do you really want to have to look at the bride and have to say "Sorry...I missed the kiss because my memory card was full"...talk about embarrassing!
On that same note, extra batteries charged up the night before and ready to go! For an important shoot such as this, I ALWAYS carry at least 2 backup batteries as well as 2 or 3 extra sets of batteries for the flash (should you decide to use one). As my mother used to say, "better to have them and not need them then to need them and not have them".
Beyond that, if it's a sunny day, either try to shoot in the shade or at the very least, keep the sun behind you. If the bride is wearing white, then also check and double check your exposures to make sure you're not blowing the dress out (especially with flash, it's easy to do)...again another good reason to bracket. If it rains, HAVE A BACK UP PLAN and another place to shoot. Scout the location out in advance and KNOW ahead of time what you're going to do whether rain or shine. If the groom and/or groomsmen are wearing tux's, remember that they're probably rented and will have to be back the next day...in other words, this is going to be the ONLY shot you have at doing this (hey...no pressure!). Also be flexible and willing to think on your feet. As the old saying goes, "Even the best battle plans seldom survive the first engagement!" LOL!!!
Last but not least, RELAX! You WILL screw up...we all do at some point or other. It goes with the territory and you've already made it clear to the wedding party that you ARE an amateur. Simply do your best and learn from your mistakes...that's all ANY of us can do.
Good Luck,
Jim
"It is horrifying that we have to fight our own government to save the environment. " - Ansel Adams
Walczak Photography - www.walczakphoto.izfree.com
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