I will be using some of these tips tho :)

* It’s better to shoot in JPEG than in RAW if you don’t have enough space to shoot RAW without offloading until the whole day is done.

* Make sure that if you try to offload, you use a fast transfer method. You may have five minutes or less to do your transfer.

* Make sure you have enough disk space, too. I lost 2 gigs of images because Canon’s DPP software told me the whole card was transferred, when I had long since run out of hard disk space.

* Take the time to pack your equipment the night before, double check it against a checklist an hour before you leave, and check it again as you load your car. (I forgot to bring the backup flash.)

* Make sure your belt matches your shoes.

* Dress professionally, even if you don’t have to.

* Show up early at the rehearsal and know the lighting conditions for the time of day and locations you will be shooting. Use the camera to take some test shots, and use a hand held light meter. Take notes.

* Don’t be surprised if your notes don’t take into account the changes in lighting that happen when the wedding day is overcast.

* The bride will be late. Make sure you don’t make her any later.

* Make sure you know where the bride will be having her makeup done, where she will be getting dressed, and how to get from each to the next and then to where the ceremony will be held, so you can arrive before she does and photograph her arriving, exiting the car, and entering the church… and the guests arriving… and the groom… and…

* Don’t forget to take a picture of the whole outside of the church or building the wedding is taking place in.

* Frequently check to make sure your settings haven’t changed from what you wanted them to be.

* Know which settings you want to use for flash and non-flash images, and be able to change from one to the other in one second or less.

* Outdoor shots after the wedding don’t use the same settings you shot with indoors. Especially if you were compensating for dark with a +1 exposure compensation. Change them to fit the time of day and shade level.

* Putting the couple in the shade of a tree won’t help if the background is in full sunlight.

* Don’t forget to take a picture of the bride being helped into the car by the groom after the wedding.

* Take at least one transitional pic between the wedding and the reception.

* Get to the reception before the happy couple does.

* If the reception is dimly lit, and you have it, use the image stabilization. (I got a great shot that was an astonishing 1/2 second exposure hand-held because of that.)

* If you’re shooting PJ style, either don’t use flash, or use it enough that nobody notices.

* The right flash diffuser will work miracles. (I love my GF LS.)

* Don’t forget that there is outdoor lighting to use for images if the reception is indoors. The magical hour in the evening is not something to throw away.

* Shoot everything, and everyone, at least five times. When shooting groups, use a 3 to 5 shot burst.

* Even if you’re working for free, a contract is still a good idea.

* Have a spare set of clothes to change into in case a baby pukes on you.

* Bring a footstool or stepladder for group shots and unusual angles.

* Backlighting is good, if you balance it out.

* Shooting in a tiny bathroom with three other people and mirrors everywhere is do-able, if you hide yourself and your flash behind the other people present and use the right flash diffuser aimed at the ceiling.

* Don’t forget to bring a bottle of water and a couple candy bars at least to keep your blood sugar up. Even if the couple invites you to sit and eat, you can’t get the shot by putting the camera down.

* If you don’t have a second camera body, RENT ONE. The same one you’re using. Same with lenses. Rent a 24-70 f/2.8, a 70-200 f/2.8 and a 50 f/1.4 if you don’t have them.

* Memorize the shot list.

* Don’t forget your shot list, even if you have memorized it.

* Know what is happening when, in what sequence, and know where to be to shoot what you want from the angle you need.

* When something goes wrong (and it will), find a way to make it advantageous.

* Not every set of batteries will drain at the same rate. Bring three sets of extras, and be able to access them and swap them out in five seconds or less. Without frying your equipment because you put them in backwards.

* A night portrait against a lit bridge is a nice way to end your pictorial wedding story. ISO 200 @ 2 seconds and f/16 is good for the background, while a flash and flash diffuser are good for the foreground.

Hope this helps.

Trevor…….I was looking forward to seeing your wedding photo’s, but can’t find them on your site.

my photography website