Hobbyist asked to shoot a destination wedding?

My wife has a friend at work who was looking for a cheap photographer to shoot her destination wedding in Cancun. My wife, as she is want to do, opened her big mouth and mentioned me and directed them to my flickr account. Well, for reasons I can't figure out, they loved my pictures and asked me to shoot their wedding.

The "payment" would be the free 5 day trip to Cancun. After much thought I have decided to say what the hell and am going to accept. Before I do I want a list of questions to ask so we have a mutual agreement on expectations so I started a list and would love for input on other questions that should be asked:

Sorry for taking so long to get back to you. I am very interested in shooting this wedding for you but I do have a few questions:

- How much shooting are you expecting me to do? Just shoot the wedding day or are looking for me to shoot the whole trip?

- Is this an out door wedding? If so what time of day?

- Is there a reception to shoot in Mexico?

- What are your expectations for a finished product? I want you to fully understand that I have never shot a wedding before an am a hobbyist photographer at best.

You'd better get that agreement in writing (i.e. a contract) or you could find yourself in a heap of trouble if anything goes wrong.

I was asked to do a destination wedding in exchange for a free "vacation" and I politely declined. The photographer is not on vacation.

I'm not saying don't do it, that's your call. They will probably expect a lot from you since in their minds they are giving you a free vacation. Just know what you're getting into. There is a reason people still get paid to shoot destination weddings in addition to the travel expenses.

Scott

Make sure you clarify if this is a shoot, process and burn or are they wanting prints an album and parent books for the cost of your trip. It could get costly for you real quick if that's what they have in mind.