Been doing photography for about a year and a half, have a meeting about doing a wedding today watdo

[DavidDavidson]

In short I heard that an ex f**kbuddy is getting married (to a man old enough to be his father, seriously this guy got engaged to her when she turned sixteen, the legal age of consent here but who am I to judge) I'd said that I'd do the wedding for no charge and if the work was good she would put in a good word with all the bridesmaids who are engaged. Thing is, I was supposed to be the backup photographer though it now looks like (I'll find out this afternoon) I'll be the main photographer as I was told there would be a meeting (I figured it would be with both photographers and the bride or groom), turns out it's just me and the bride and groom.
I've just shoved all my kit into my kit bag (GH3, 12-35 f2.8 constant, 60mm sigma, 20mm pana-leica, and the 14-140 superzoom) as well as a notepad to jot down times for events and map out rooms, locations of guests and places I can shoot from without disturbing the guests (I'll probably pick the best one on the day and use that), as well as that I'll take a good few shots of the empty rooms in case I need to make composites to isolate people.
Can you give me any tips. Tripod or monopod with a seperate ball head. I have a tripod though getting it into the suitcase from England meant that I had to remove the pan handle. I could have done a final check but my Aunt seems to try to arrive at the airport 2h in advance, probably because she's a terrible driver (didn't know that you should put a car in first gear when parking on a hill as well as having the handbrake on) but now I have the tripod fixed with a screw and it's only really good for landscapes.
I'll head into the city centre early and see if I can pick up a decent tripod from the pawn shop (they had one I should have bought.
So really tripod with pan/ball head and quick release or monopod with ball head and quick release?
And any other tips.
PS: I have a grey card, microfibre cloths, lens pen, blower and pretty much all required kit for normal photography.
Here's my current portfolio:

Loading…

www.flickr.com

Let me know what you think. Personally I'm terrified but the more advice I get (the wedding proper is in 10 days) so I'll have plenty of time to get advice.
Cheers.
-David

 

[Michael Fryd]

In short I heard that an ex f**kbuddy is getting married (to a man old enough to be his father, seriously this guy got engaged to her when she turned sixteen, the legal age of consent here but who am I to judge) I'd said that I'd do the wedding for no charge and if the work was good she would put in a good word with all the bridesmaids who are engaged. Thing is, I was supposed to be the backup photographer though it now looks like (I'll find out this afternoon) I'll be the main photographer as I was told there would be a meeting (I figured it would be with both photographers and the bride or groom), turns out it's just me and the bride and groom.
I've just shoved all my kit into my kit bag (GH3, 12-35 f2.8 constant, 60mm sigma, 20mm pana-leica, and the 14-140 superzoom) as well as a notepad to jot down times for events and map out rooms, locations of guests and places I can shoot from without disturbing the guests (I'll probably pick the best one on the day and use that), as well as that I'll take a good few shots of the empty rooms in case I need to make composites to isolate people.
Can you give me any tips. Tripod or monopod with a seperate ball head. I have a tripod though getting it into the suitcase from England meant that I had to remove the pan handle. I could have done a final check but my Aunt seems to try to arrive at the airport 2h in advance, probably because she's a terrible driver (didn't know that you should put a car in first gear when parking on a hill as well as having the handbrake on) but now I have the tripod fixed with a screw and it's only really good for landscapes.
I'll head into the city centre early and see if I can pick up a decent tripod from the pawn shop (they had one I should have bought.
So really tripod with pan/ball head and quick release or monopod with ball head and quick release?
And any other tips.
PS: I have a grey card, microfibre cloths, lens pen, blower and pretty much all required kit for normal photography.
Here's my current portfolio:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127440442@N06/
Let me know what you think. Personally I'm terrified but the more advice I get (the wedding proper is in 10 days) so I'll have plenty of time to get advice.
Cheers.
-David

To be a good wedding photographer, you need to be more than just a good photographer. You need to be aware of the challenges you are going to face, and how to address them.

Typical challenges include:

• Priest specifies where you will stand, and it isn't a great location
• Flash not allowed during ceremony
• Shooting outdoors and the sun is in the wrong location
• You need to be aware of when events will take place, so you can shoot them (first kiss, tossing the bouquet, first dance, etc.)
• Rounding up the bridal party for formal portraits
• Finding a location for formal portraits, or bringing your own lighting and set
• lighting for "candids" during the reception

Plus many more.

If you have no wedding experience, then it is unlikely that your will generate images good enough to win work from others. Even if you do produce great images, if you are volunteering for this wedding, then the bridesmaids will think of you as the low-cost, or free solution.

If you do want to get into wedding photography, get a job as a second shooter for an experienced wedding photographer. Watch how he works, and how he solves the dozens of issues that popup at most weddings.

.

In terms of your old friend getting married, you may want to make sure that you both are on the same page as to what she should expect. If she is expecting pro-level work, and you deliver an amateur's first wedding attempt, then she will not be happy. With a wedding, you only have one chance to get the shot. If you miss the shot, you can't go back and reshoot.

Depending on where you live, you may even have some liability if you miss various standard shots.

My advice is to sit down with the bride and groom and get a list of the photos they expect you to get. You should them map out what gear you will need for each of the setups. Make sure there is time in the schedule for you to get all the images (i.e. if they want formal shots, when and where will you shoot them?). Coordinate with whomever is running the wedding to make sure they don't have an event (i.e. cutting the cake) without giving you prior notice so you can position yourself.

Most importantly, make sure the bride understands your level of experience so she has a realistic expectation of what she will be getting. People don't get upset based on the actual quality of your work, they get upset when the quality isn't as good as expected. If the bride has realistic expectations of what you will produce, then she is less likely to be upset when she receives what she expects.

In terms of workflow, you may want to shoot RAW+JPEG. There's a good chance you will need to use the RAW files so you can normalize the white balance to give a consistent look to all the images. RAW files also give you more latitude for correcting imperfect lighting and exposure.

Make sure you have lots of spare batteries that are fully charged (for both camera and your external flash(es). You may also want to rent a backup camera body in case yours fails. Of course you will need more memory cards than you think. I suggest not erasing the memory cards until you are sure you have multiple backups of the images.

 

[DavidDavidson]

Cheers, she knows it's my first wedding shoot and I said "would it be possible if I could do backup to hone my skills" so she knows that it isn't A*** grade pro level work. They're getting their wedding done in a 4 star hotel that nobody and this is a 'city' of maybe 100k people. Personally due to the 20+ age gap I don't expect things to last though I'll obviously keep my trap shut on that front and make them out to be the perfect bride and groom, If I'm to be using my external flash should I grab up a bounce card/white diffuser online to get more even lighting if it's outdoors.
Today I'll be going down to map things out, get the times of stuff and generally get an idea of what's happening when, then I have ten days to prepare.

Excellent advice, I'm glad I have mirrorless (just to make it a little quieter due to no mirror slap, I could use the electronic shutter but the pictures from the e-shutter are not DSLR-Mirrorless grade; closer to a large sensor smartphone.) and am penniless so I really hope the body doesn't fail, I really don't have the cash to get another body so that's out the window but I'll explain to the bride and groom that there's a miniscule chance of the body failing. I'm sure I have an old 10mpix point and shoot so I can just disable flash, disable the AF light and run with that should the worst happen, though (touch wood) the GH3 survived a direct kick from some drunken idiot and nothing got damaged so it's proven it's hardiness, the body failing would be the absolute worst so I hope I am backup and he just couldn't make the meeting. In which case I'll try to do better than him just to try and win what I would call a sideline job.

I'd assume for the photographs where the light changes rapidly I should go for aperture priority so I can control depth of field and set the ISO limit to around 1600-3200 (after that the image gets a little noisy though I've had almost crystal clear shots at 6400 and this is a 2x crop sensor.

Anyway, thanks for the help, I've gotta run now and get this pre-wedding meeting done and see if that decent tripod is still on sale and if it is check it out and see if I can't haggle down the price a bit; if it's been sitting there for months it's likely that I could.

Goodbye and thanks for all the fish help! Keep the help coming please.
-David.

 

[AdriaanMeijer]

The question sounded familiar:

Other thread: Help with first wedding plz!

 

[golfhov]

It sounds like you want to get into wedding photograpghy but you do not sound ready at all. Wedding photograpghy is HARD to do at a professional level. It is technical, artistic, and social all at the same time. My one failed attempt I realied my biggest obstacle had nothing to do with equipment or technical skills. Focus and exposure was easy for me. I had a few compositional stRuggles which would take me a while to explain. The HUGE problem I had was directing people. I cannot stress enough what an overwhelming thing this is. Directing large groups, small groups, and dealing with everyone else that wants a cell phone pic is a clusterfuck.......

Good luck

Ps. It also sounds like there is a bad personal dynamic going on......

 

[Michael Fryd]

...Personally due to the 20+ age gap I don't expect things to last though I'll obviously keep my trap shut on that front and make them out to be the perfect bride and groom...

Be very careful. If won't be good if the newlywed's first fight is over the quality of the images.

Perhaps the groom wanted high end images, why did the bride get her old boyfriend to shoot? It isn't unusual to get photos of the bride getting ready. How will the groom feel about an old boyfriend being in the room as his bride-to-be is getting ready?

If bride and groom really are meant for each other, I wouldn't be worried. It's the fact that you don't think they are, that has me worried. When their marriage starts to fall apart (and that could be as soon as the honeymoon), all sorts of things will get blamed. I would not be surprised if you end up being high on that list (Why is the bride insisting on involving an old boyfriend in her wedding?).

What happens when you make a recommendation to improve the photos, and the groom suggests something else. You are not asking the bride to choose between husband and photographer, you are asking her to choose between fiancé and old boyfriend.

As with many wedding issues, this is not a question of photographic technique or ability.

 

[barrym1966]

In short I heard that an ex f**kbuddy is getting married (to a man old enough to be his father, seriously this guy got engaged to her when she turned sixteen, the legal age of consent here but who am I to judge) I'd said that I'd do the wedding for no charge and if the work was good she would put in a good word with all the bridesmaids who are engaged. Thing is, I was supposed to be the backup photographer though it now looks like (I'll find out this afternoon) I'll be the main photographer as I was told there would be a meeting (I figured it would be with both photographers and the bride or groom), turns out it's just me and the bride and groom.
I've just shoved all my kit into my kit bag (GH3, 12-35 f2.8 constant, 60mm sigma, 20mm pana-leica, and the 14-140 superzoom) as well as a notepad to jot down times for events and map out rooms, locations of guests and places I can shoot from without disturbing the guests (I'll probably pick the best one on the day and use that), as well as that I'll take a good few shots of the empty rooms in case I need to make composites to isolate people.
Can you give me any tips. Tripod or monopod with a seperate ball head. I have a tripod though getting it into the suitcase from England meant that I had to remove the pan handle. I could have done a final check but my Aunt seems to try to arrive at the airport 2h in advance, probably because she's a terrible driver (didn't know that you should put a car in first gear when parking on a hill as well as having the handbrake on) but now I have the tripod fixed with a screw and it's only really good for landscapes.
I'll head into the city centre early and see if I can pick up a decent tripod from the pawn shop (they had one I should have bought.
So really tripod with pan/ball head and quick release or monopod with ball head and quick release?
And any other tips.
PS: I have a grey card, microfibre cloths, lens pen, blower and pretty much all required kit for normal photography.
Here's my current portfolio:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127440442@N06/
Let me know what you think. Personally I'm terrified but the more advice I get (the wedding proper is in 10 days) so I'll have plenty of time to get advice.
Cheers.
-David

I have never once used a tripod at a wedding although all my lenses are stabilised so thats probably why

 

[barrym1966]

It sounds like you want to get into wedding photograpghy but you do not sound ready at all. Wedding photograpghy is HARD to do at a professional level. It is technical, artistic, and social all at the same time. My one failed attempt I realied my biggest obstacle had nothing to do with equipment or technical skills. Focus and exposure was easy for me. I had a few compositional stRuggles which would take me a while to explain. The HUGE problem I had was directing people. I cannot stress enough what an overwhelming thing this is. Directing large groups, small groups, and dealing with everyone else that wants a cell phone pic is a clusterfuck.......

Good luck

Ps. It also sounds like there is a bad personal dynamic going on......

it is a very tough demanding job

Saturdays wedding I started bridal prep at 9am and finished at 10pm

had maybe an hour break in between they were good enough to keep me full of food and drink.

Be prepared though a lot of weddings people dont feed you. Always take some drinks and some backup food just incase. once the reception has started you have 0 time to nip out for dinner !

 

[lehill]

I've only done one wedding but many events. The wedding was fun, but it was enough for me to decide it wasn't my favorite photo genre. You have a lot of good advice so far.

You don't have a flash? Maybe you can't use it during the wedding but formals are usually in a dark church and reception may be in a dark ballroom. Try your best to scope out the venue(s) before hand. Note the color temperature of lighting, mixed lighting is a real pain, how bright the rooms are, anticipate good/bad locations for photos (couples, small groups), cake location, bride/groom's table, where the bride/groom will make a grand entrance (if any) to reception. If the event manager is around, ask them about lighting during the activities, a few may have good suggestions for photos, some places will turn down the lighting, now's the time to ask them not to.

During my wedding I had a tripod in the truck of my car but never felt I needed it. I've never used a tripod for any other event either.

If time is not too tight, I have one cool trick I've learned about Uncle Bobs and Aunt Bettys, those people who stand in front of the photographer with their cellphones and P&S's while you're taking formals. Announce to everyone that you're the official wedding photographer, please let me take my photo, after I'm done I'll hold the group and give all the Uncle Bobs & Aunt Bettys a few seconds to take their own photo. Once they realize they get their own photo opp, they all pull back pretty meekly, then they dive in like starving hyenas on a fresh kill when you give them the OK. While they take their photos, you can set up your next shot, whoever is gathering up family members can do their thing.

 

[barrym1966]

I've only done one wedding but many events. The wedding was fun, but it was enough for me to decide it wasn't my favorite photo genre. You have a lot of good advice so far.

You don't have a flash? Maybe you can't use it during the wedding but formals are usually in a dark church and reception may be in a dark ballroom. Try your best to scope out the venue(s) before hand. Note the color temperature of lighting, mixed lighting is a real pain, how bright the rooms are, anticipate good/bad locations for photos (couples, small groups), cake location, bride/groom's table, where the bride/groom will make a grand entrance (if any) to reception. If the event manager is around, ask them about lighting during the activities, a few may have good suggestions for photos, some places will turn down the lighting, now's the time to ask them not to.

During my wedding I had a tripod in the truck of my car but never felt I needed it. I've never used a tripod for any other event either.

If time is not too tight, I have one cool trick I've learned about Uncle Bobs and Aunt Bettys, those people who stand in front of the photographer with their cellphones and P&S's while you're taking formals. Announce to everyone that you're the official wedding photographer, please let me take my photo, after I'm done I'll hold the group and give all the Uncle Bobs & Aunt Bettys a few seconds to take their own photo. Once they realize they get their own photo opp, they all pull back pretty meekly, then they dive in like starving hyenas on a fresh kill when you give them the OK. While they take their photos, you can set up your next shot, whoever is gathering up family members can do their thing.

 

[barrym1966]

I've only done one wedding but many events. The wedding was fun, but it was enough for me to decide it wasn't my favorite photo genre. You have a lot of good advice so far.

You don't have a flash? Maybe you can't use it during the wedding but formals are usually in a dark church and reception may be in a dark ballroom. Try your best to scope out the venue(s) before hand. Note the color temperature of lighting, mixed lighting is a real pain, how bright the rooms are, anticipate good/bad locations for photos (couples, small groups), cake location, bride/groom's table, where the bride/groom will make a grand entrance (if any) to reception. If the event manager is around, ask them about lighting during the activities, a few may have good suggestions for photos, some places will turn down the lighting, now's the time to ask them not to.

During my wedding I had a tripod in the truck of my car but never felt I needed it. I've never used a tripod for any other event either.

If time is not too tight, I have one cool trick I've learned about Uncle Bobs and Aunt Bettys, those people who stand in front of the photographer with their cellphones and P&S's while you're taking formals. Announce to everyone that you're the official wedding photographer, please let me take my photo, after I'm done I'll hold the group and give all the Uncle Bobs & Aunt Bettys a few seconds to take their own photo. Once they realize they get their own photo opp, they all pull back pretty meekly, then they dive in like starving hyenas on a fresh kill when you give them the OK. While they take their photos, you can set up your next shot, whoever is gathering up family members can do their thing.

 

[DavidDavidson]

Been reading through the comments.
Originally I was to be the backup photographer but he's done a runner so now I'm stuck with either doing a runner myself and leaving someone who was really a no strings attached girlfriend (well it seemed that way, she just didn't want it serious as I was going one way and she was going another, we've talked it all over and are fine with it. Besides, I got her when she looked better , I have to say it's a little creepy seeing an old balding grey shaven short haired guy along with a 20 year old and I'd say she'd have been going out with him before she turned 16 (legal age of consent) so ephebophile much.
I do have an off camera flash, it's a yonguno with the wireless built in so all I'd need is a hot shoe wireless connector if I want wireless shots or do the old trick of cutting a strip of floppy disc and sticking it over your flash (it's IR transparent and near visible opaque) and putting it in flash slave mode. When I said flash card diffuser I meant more of the board type ones in case there's outdoor photography being done so I can have a more diffuse lighting, if you'd recommend I get the hotshoe wireless flash device I'll pick one up on fleabay, they aren't much more than £10

I do feel a bit in over my head (I was honestly expecting to do backup for this) but I'll spend these 10 days preparing as much as I can for it.

Due to my previous arrangement with the bride the groom doesn't seem to mind all that much, in fact I said for her to make sure she asks him first before letting me photograph the event.
The pair are extremely relaxed and laid back, I think the pre-ceremony starts at 2pm (I'll be emailed a full programme of what's going on.

I've told both the bride and groom not to be expecting professional grade photographs and that I had been expecting to be the backup guy for this until today so even though I feel a little out of my depth I'll keep things nice and smooth. Put the camera in burst mode at the meeting and fired off 17 or so shots then asked if they minded the shutter sound as I do have a silent shutter but it produces poorer images and they were fine with that. All and all I tried to keep them calm and relaxed and when they were talking to the wedding planner just pulled the seat out of the way, kept silent and started listening and taking notes.
All in all they seemed fairly relaxed about it and I couldn't let someone (who I've known for seven years) and her boyfriend down by saying "sorry but I'm out of my depth, I'm not able to do this, pay for a photographer. I did however make it clear that it's my first time doing this, it won't be pay for the day and then pay for pro prints photography but I'll accommodate their needs as best and as professionally as possible.

Once I get the times in my email I'll set up a checklist and follow on from that.

Any more advice is much appreciated; I know I'm out of my depth but I can't really turn round and say gotta go, can't do it, find another wedding photographer in 10 days, kthxbai.
All the best
-David

 

[freetiegui]

I don't think I would do it. No matter how much you tell her you're just starting out, not to expect the best etc. she will have expectations as lay people think photography is very easy. It also sounds like she is taking advantage slightly as there was supposed to be a main photographer - what happened to them? I get the impression she said she wouldn't need them as she has you - and you're free!?

By all means get into weddings and look for someone to second shoot or apprentice with, but I think this is going to give you a whole lot of stress, for not much reward. IMO.

 

[DavidDavidson]

The other guy wasn't getting paid. Lots of people get a friend to do wedding photography here and don't expect Disney weddings and photographs. The fact he's done a runner and I've held my ground (I'm unemployed so I can be reading about wedding photography for 9 days) she's also been very loose with stuff like "Not a lot of people have RSVP'd so I don't know how much food they want, if people just turn up on the day they can get their own f**king food from the Mexican place down the road if they don't RSVP. As well as saying "I'll email you the programme with the times on it" and stuff like that.
I really can't do a runner, that would be really low especially since I attended the meeting. She's seen my flickr portfolio so she knows what to expect.

 

[golfhov]

I don't think I would do it. No matter how much you tell her you're just starting out, not to expect the best etc. she will have expectations as lay people think photography is very easy. It also sounds like she is taking advantage slightly as there was supposed to be a main photographer - what happened to them? I get the impression she said she wouldn't need them as she has you - and you're free!?

Is that right? If he is taking zero money that is a step im the right direction

By all means get into weddings and look for someone to second shoot or apprentice with,

100% fully agree! It isn't personal against the OP. Weddings are full of peril. An expeeienced pro can guide you

but I think this is going to give you a whole lot of stress, for not much reward. IMO.

Agree with your opinion. I actually think it is worse. If the OP turns in a poor performance he has just spread negative publicity. So he is getting bad publicity and no money......he should wait until he is confident and ready.

 

[freetiegui]

The other guy wasn't getting paid. Lots of people get a friend to do wedding photography here and don't expect Disney weddings and photographs. The fact he's done a runner and I've held my ground (I'm unemployed so I can be reading about wedding photography for 9 days) she's also been very loose with stuff like "Not a lot of people have RSVP'd so I don't know how much food they want, if people just turn up on the day they can get their own f**king food from the Mexican place down the road if they don't RSVP. As well as saying "I'll email you the programme with the times on it" and stuff like that.
I really can't do a runner, that would be really low especially since I attended the meeting. She's seen my flickr portfolio so she knows what to expect.

Ok, fair enough. Good luck to you, like you say you've got some time to study - can you do a reccy to the location - that would be helpful to you.

 

[golfhov]

The other guy wasn't getting paid.

What.....

Lots of people get a friend to do wedding photography here and don't expect Disney weddings and photographs.

You get what you pay for.....

The fact he's done a runner and I've held my ground (I'm unemployed so I can be reading about wedding photography for 9 days)

Good luck learning it from articles in 90 days. No offense just truth

she's also been very loose with stuff like "Not a lot of people have RSVP'd so I don't know how much food they want, if people just turn up on the day they can get their own f**king food from the Mexican place down the road if they don't RSVP. As well as saying "I'll email you the programme with the times on it" and stuff like that.

Nope. Even for a professional this is trouble. It needs to be somewhat scheduled and coordinated. You are adding to your stress with allowing this

I really can't do a runner, that would be really low especially since I attended the meeting.

Hmmm......

She's seen my flickr portfolio so she knows what to expect.

Could we see your flikr? What sorts of photogragjy are you into? As someone already stated that non photograghers have no idea.......

 

[lehill]

I do have an off camera flash, it's a yonguno with the wireless built in so all I'd need is a hot shoe wireless connector if I want wireless shots or do the old trick of cutting a strip of floppy disc and sticking it over your flash (it's IR transparent and near visible opaque) and putting it in flash slave mode. When I said flash card diffuser I meant more of the board type ones in case there's outdoor photography being done so I can have a more diffuse lighting, if you'd recommend I get the hotshoe wireless flash device I'll pick one up on fleabay, they aren't much more than £10

Do you know how to bounce flash ? If the venue is appropriate, and most are, it's my favorite flash method.









--
Lance H

 

[DavidDavidson]

In response to the above comments, I was supposed to be apprenticing under the other guy until he went off and did a runner; which isn't very professional in my opinion; as soon as I'd got the okay I freed up my calendar for the date. The only thing that would stop me from attending a wedding shoot would be me in hospital and even then I'd try to get out early to make the deadline.
I saw the location today, went around the rooms with my camera, stood in the centre and just did 360 degree burst mode so I knew what was where and I can go over them after. I also have top down diagrams of what the rooms will look like on the day. Including a few X marks where I can sit down and photograph the wedding or set up a tripod or monopod out of everyone's way with zero hassle; this would be especially true if I was using my 25mm lens which has no IS, but is a very fast lens.
I would assume aperture priority would be the best mode for shots of the vows (with it being a GH3 I could buy a directional mic and take stills while recording the vows on said tripod/monopod) as I can control DOF and get a DOF preview by hitting a FN button, I can also autofocus, hold down the shutter button and then manual focus it into tack sharp images.
For the bouquet throwing I would shutter priority would take over as I've got to capture a few shots of a moving object very fast, I'll set the ISO limit to either 3200 or 6400. Always better a slightly noisy image than a blurry one, after all I can reduce some of the noise in post, motion blur I can't.
I'll shoot full manual if I have the time though it is a timed event so for a first time those semi-auto-matick modes might be best. Getting a reccy of the place was a good idea as I've a feeling I should slow the burst down so my lens can keep up with the focussing and IS.
Thankfully the GH3 comes with good features like being able to move the focus point using the touch screen while using the viewfinder and the batteries last for a good 500 shots, though I'll probably grab a spare.
For the Yonguno shoe flash I have two sets of rechargeable batteries (one; I think 1300mah and the other set 2000mah. They don't run down quickly even if I have the flash taking- If I want it off the stand then it has a little shoe that can be connected to a tripod or balance it on a flat surface, if they want an outdoor kiss (I informed them that kissing looks more photogenic if they rub noses but obviously this won't be the case on "you may now kiss the bride" but afterwords if they want a nice photo of them together.
As you guys asked for a portfolio here's my flickr (seriously they need to be a little more grown up there, if I take a picture of the stray I adopted and have Pussy(space)cat in the tags it gets 600 views just because of how flickr works. My most viewed photo is a phallus spraypainted onto a blue chipboard, second highest a hand carved garden gnome named 'peeing Pete' though fairly it looks like he's doing something other than peeing. I think they need to realise that there are sites for that sort of thing and flickr ain't one of them.
My flickr account is here and please throw as much constructive criticism as possible at me. I usually do street photography but there will be other (some duller, poorly composed and boring) photographs in there too.

Edit: Lehill: bounce flashing is also my favourite method of using a flashgun, though if it's going to be outside the sky may be too high to bounce it off. Indoors though; bounce flash all the way. So long as you mean point flash at ceiling and let the light hit subjects like daylight.

 

[barrym1966]

In response to the above comments, I was supposed to be apprenticing under the other guy until he went off and did a runner; which isn't very professional in my opinion; as soon as I'd got the okay I freed up my calendar for the date. The only thing that would stop me from attending a wedding shoot would be me in hospital and even then I'd try to get out early to make the deadline.
I saw the location today, went around the rooms with my camera, stood in the centre and just did 360 degree burst mode so I knew what was where and I can go over them after. I also have top down diagrams of what the rooms will look like on the day. Including a few X marks where I can sit down and photograph the wedding or set up a tripod or monopod out of everyone's way with zero hassle; this would be especially true if I was using my 25mm lens which has no IS, but is a very fast lens.
I would assume aperture priority would be the best mode for shots of the vows (with it being a GH3 I could buy a directional mic and take stills while recording the vows on said tripod/monopod) as I can control DOF and get a DOF preview by hitting a FN button, I can also autofocus, hold down the shutter button and then manual focus it into tack sharp images.
For the bouquet throwing I would shutter priority would take over as I've got to capture a few shots of a moving object very fast, I'll set the ISO limit to either 3200 or 6400. Always better a slightly noisy image than a blurry one, after all I can reduce some of the noise in post, motion blur I can't.
I'll shoot full manual if I have the time though it is a timed event so for a first time those semi-auto-matick modes might be best. Getting a reccy of the place was a good idea as I've a feeling I should slow the burst down so my lens can keep up with the focussing and IS.
Thankfully the GH3 comes with good features like being able to move the focus point using the touch screen while using the viewfinder and the batteries last for a good 500 shots, though I'll probably grab a spare.
For the Yonguno shoe flash I have two sets of rechargeable batteries (one; I think 1300mah and the other set 2000mah. They don't run down quickly even if I have the flash taking- If I want it off the stand then it has a little shoe that can be connected to a tripod or balance it on a flat surface, if they want an outdoor kiss (I informed them that kissing looks more photogenic if they rub noses but obviously this won't be the case on "you may now kiss the bride" but afterwords if they want a nice photo of them together.
As you guys asked for a portfolio here's my flickr (seriously they need to be a little more grown up there, if I take a picture of the stray I adopted and have Pussy(space)cat in the tags it gets 600 views just because of how flickr works. My most viewed photo is a phallus spraypainted onto a blue chipboard, second highest a hand carved garden gnome named 'peeing Pete' though fairly it looks like he's doing something other than peeing. I think they need to realise that there are sites for that sort of thing and flickr ain't one of them.
My flickr account is here and please throw as much constructive criticism as possible at me. I usually do street photography but there will be other (some duller, poorly composed and boring) photographs in there too.
Edit: Lehill: bounce flashing is also my favourite method of using a flashgun, though if it's going to be outside the sky may be too high to bounce it off. Indoors though; bounce flash all the way. So long as you mean point flash at ceiling and let the light hit subjects like daylight.

Sounds like your all set. I wouldn't record the vows unless you have been asked to that's for a videographer to do.

Also of all the weddings I have done only one couple has thrown the bouquet

Good luck hope it goes well for you. Post up some pics when your done you won't be needing a tripod for anything below a 70-200 and I hand hold that!