What equipment will I need to shoot a wedding?

I was asked to shoot a wedding in March, which ive done before, but with a video camera. I dont have the best equipment and mainly just take car and racing pictures as a hobby. This is a friend from the local car club who asked me, he said it is his cousins wedding, and that he would also take pictures, I would just be the main guy. I guess theyre looking for someone cheap, and he said theyd pay me.

I have a
Rebel XT w/ battery grip and 2 batteries
Kit lens (horrible)
50mm 1.8
70-200L F/4
2GB and 4GB card

He said I will shoot the reception too. I know I need a bigger flash, what do you guys recommend doing? I have no clue what they are paying, and I dont mind doing it but I know that I dont really have the right stuff.

Also how should I take the pictures? I could do all RAW but for a cheap job I dont want to go through 600 RAW pictures.

Can I find a flash cheap? It seems like if its not super bright out, I always have to have my camera on 800-1600 ISO to be able to take a clean 1/200 shot..so I know indoors are going to suck!

Any help is appreciated, Thanks Aaron

So if my post was unclear, I guess im saying that I would like to get better equipment since my stuff is getting old, but I dont have much money at all to spend on my camera right now. But please tell me what would be the cheapest/best way to prepare.

Hi Aaron - are you really sure you want to do this? Equipment aside, it sounds like you have a lot of personal doubts.

First, establish RIGHT NOW how much they will be paying you. Do NOT leave this to later on, assuming it will all work out. It won't. Also, make sure you get it signed, in writing.

You are correct about your requirements for a flash. Yes, you can get cheap flashes but I don't know if that's a good idea. I have two 580ex's and they are wonderful, but they are not cheap. But invest in one now and it will last you a while. Others more knowledgeable than myself will speak to that shortly. With a rebel at a dark reception, it would really be beneficial. I'm not saying you can't get images with the built-in, but you will really be constrained and it will show in the results.

Get at least another couple of memory cards for use and/or backup. Your friend is the "backup body" so you're covered in case YOUR body fails. You will need some sort of wide angle for the group and family shots - perhaps the wide end of your kit lens?

You also have the option of renting better lenses, and perhaps even a flash. That will set you back a couple of bucks, but not as much as purchasing. I hope this helps - others will be "helping" in mere minutes, I'm sure. - Stu

thanks for writing so quickly! Yes I have doubts because I know that I really need some better equipment. Here is part of what he wrote me.

I dont mind doing it, and they know Ive never done a wedding, I just would like to get advice so I can do the best with what I have.

The Wedding FAQ covers gear. Unfortunately gear is about 25% of the problem, the most important equipment's between your ears!

Aaron - what Tim says is quite true. Anybody can own a nice camera, but few people know their way around a wedding. Do you know all the important shots of the wedding day? Do you know what the key group shots are? Read Tim's FAQ - he's worked hard to pack a lot of really useful info that doc.

I won't say you're not capable of doing the wedding. But it could very well be 8-10 hours of continuous, on your feet, directing, crowd control, setup, formal and PJ style photography. The really easy part is renting the gear you may not have. The challenging part is working with a lot of strangers, and getting them to do what you need, diplomatically, calmly, nicely and in a timely manner that will enable you to get all the key shots.

Do you know what those shots are? Again - read Tim's FAQ.

Do you understand the basics of exposure? When to use an appropriate exposure mode for a set situation? It is possible to learn some of the "wedding basics" of this between now and the event if you practice a lot. You should have doubts not because of your gear list, but because you have not shot a wedding. And having doubts is a healthy attitude - it's been a great learning motivator for me in the past.

Btw - I tried to look at some of your work to get an idea of your style, but your site is down.

You also have an option of renting the gear you think you need. The problem with this is you won't have much time getting experience with that gear. It's only a considerable option if your finances don't support purchasing the equipment. The advise above is true, your knowledge and experience is more important than gear. If the wedding isnt soon then you have time to gain some knowledge to be comfortable to handle the task. And don't forget to practice what you learned

Some of the others have tried to be diplomatic, but I think it has to be stated: do you really think you will be doing this guy's cousin a favor by doing this yourself? Assuming they have to pay you enough for the "right hardware", are you going to be able to give them the results that they are going to be satisfied with and feel they got their money's worth?

I am not trying to say that you are not a talented photographer - what I am trying to put bluntly is that wedding photography is a huge realm, with many different subtypes and lots of things that can trip you up. I just shot my wife's cousing wedding on sunday, and it was my first wedding "on my own" - up until now I've been working with a seasoned pro (for 2 years). Everything possible went wrong, from the bride being an hour late getting her hair done to my 3 primary locations for the formals becoming unusable. I ended up with only about half an hour for formals, in my fourth choice for location - I absolutely was running purely on instinct had no time to experiment of even think about my shots. I am absolutely certain I would have done a far better job with the full hour and a half, but what I got will be usable and she will be satisfied with it.

Please don't misunderstand me - I am not saying I am a great photograpgher; I know that I am average at best. However, because I've shot over 50 weddings I was able to anticipate enough and think on my feet enough when everyon was looking at me for direction I managed to get reasonable results. I have been beating myself up for the shots I didn't have time to get or messed up because I rushed it, and I know that I will never get a chance for "redo". I can take consolation in the fact that there were enough other shots to make her happy.

I guess what I am saying is that it is a big responsibilty, and you don't want to be in a position to have to apologize for missing the "big things"