Never done this: Pointers please!

I will be flying next week to attend my girlfriend's brother's wedding in the San Francisco area. I will be taking my 5DII with 16-35, 24-105, and 85/1.8 lenses. I also have a 430 EX flash. I don't anticipate being able to buy any additional equipment. I also have no exact idea as to what settings we will be in. I will not be compensated for any "work" that I do as I am basically doing this as a favor.

Can you all give me any simply, quick "must know" pionters when it comes to shooting weddings, associated gatherings, etc.? What one thing could I perhaps add to my arsenal that would improve my abilities to capture the situation?

Thanks.

Befriend the best man and rely on him for help.

Make sure the location is OK to shoot at.

get there early.

There are probably 3 threads on the first page of the wedding section. Look for things titled first wedding.

Shoot a lot, chimp often. Pre-plan, get or compile a list of shots that are essential. Identify the important people in the event (beyond the obvious) and make sure they are included in the shots.

SchnellerGT wrote in post #11169010
I will be flying next week to attend my girlfriend's brother's wedding in the San Francisco area.

does this mean that you are going as a guest and they have hired another photographer?

or are you their photographer?

SchnellerGT wrote in post #11169010
I will not be compensated for any "work" that I do as I am basically doing this as a favor.

This makes me think the OP will be the only photographer, but it would be helpful to know.

yeah, i agree. just wanted to take that step back and clarify

Have a look at as many wedding photographs as you can to get ideas on posing and lighting. There are plenty here:

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdis​play.php?f=78

There are many books available on the subject too. The best approach in your situation is to try and imitate as many good poses and you can.

Your equipment will be fine.

just shoot a lot

speeches/ceremony, don't forget to capture parental/friend reactions etc. just anticipate using the knowledge you gleam from watching other albums.

bigarchi wrote in post #11169645
does this mean that you are going as a guest and they have hired another photographer?

or are you their photographer?

I am a guest. I am bringing my camera.

I am not their official photographer. To my knowledge they have hired no one. I will not be paid. I am just trying to do them a favor...but I want to at least try my best.

SchnellerGT wrote in post #11173724
I am a guest. I am bringing my camera.

I am not their official photographer. To my knowledge they have hired no one. I will not be paid. I am just trying to do them a favor...but I want to at least try my best.

Awesomeness.
focus on stuff the hired pro can't/won't be getting. shoot raw.

when you have the 24-105 on at the reception, rubberband an index card to the back of the 430, point it up to bounce it off the ceiling in ettl.
shoot with the camera in manual mode with relatively high iso, slowish shutter speed and fairly large aperature.

but i would probably keep the 85 on it most of the time, especially during the ceremony. aperature priority, no flash.
crank the iso as needed and shoot more candids during the reception.

when the dancing gets bumpin, use the wide angle with flash.

that's my 2 cents..

^ Reread the post you quoted. There is no hired pro.

OP- All I can say is to keep an eye on your shutter speed, iso, and f-stop, especially going from indoor to outdoors and light to dark. The day is going to go by very quickly. It is very easy to get overwhelmed.

jamesb wrote in post #11174113
^ Reread the post you quoted. There is no hired pro.

oh crapola, hate when that happens!