I Was Asked to Photograph a Wedding! Photographers, Please HELP!

I can't give you specific advice about camera models.
I have a former coworker that used to do weddings ( he was a photographer by profession--product photography mostly).
I think you need to have a serious talk with your friend about her expectations for her photos. She might be really happy with a memory card full of candida taken with a great eye, bit if she's expecting professional shots with photoshopped effects, etc., I think you really need to think about the pressure.
It will be a super long day--from her getting dresses to leaving the reception with LOTS of "money shots" in between: attendants procession, cake, bouquet toss, toasts, formal groupings, etc. you get INE chance at most of those shots. Have you ever done a wedding before?
Just saying, it's a huge commitment and the potential for failure is huge.
Maybe you can, I don't know.
They say that after the wedding is over, all you have are the pictures--so true! Good luck!

Sounds like you have a natural talent! That's awesome!

When I was really into photography (old school style with my dad's 1970s Minolta) I took a continuing education course at my old college. Try to maybe start there? They must have a digital photography course nowadays.

One more thing you can try. Groupon, livingsocial, all those discount sites have coupons for one on one photography courses. It's usually a good deal for a package of classes. And join a legit photography blog. Get all your tips from others who have the same interest and camera as you.

Good luck! I'm sure you'll do a wonderful job!

Well, maybe you cannot learn to be a professional wedding photographer in 5 months, but if you have the time and the drive to do it, taking a photography class at a community college or adult education program may help. Alternately get a book or two and learn about picture composition.
Before digital, when you had to pay for each and every picture to be developed (and printed) you made sure twice that what you had in your viewfinder was what you wanted to pay for... now it's just a matter of keeping your finger on the trigger and hoping that one picture has all the body parts and is in focus... still it really helps to learn about proper composition, exposure and lighting.

Do NOT go out and buy a ridiculously expensive professional camera. Get a mid-rage digital SLR if you don't have one yet. Get a camera that you can learn how to use. A camera that requires ridiculous software to get decent pictures out of it is NOT worth it. A camera that has so many "extras" that you cannot work the basics is not worth it. Get a good versatile lens with it. If the wedding/reception is inside consider getting an external flash.
Many professionals and even ambitious amateurs spend years deciding on which equipment they like, which brands they prefer etc. - they accumulate most of their stuff slowly after testing it out - even if you were to decide to go professional - don't drop a bunch of money on it for this occasion.

Before the wedding take LOTS of pictures. Work your camera, get to know it, look at the pictures you have taken, evaluate their composition and lighting, play around with the camera's settings. 5 Months is a lot of time to get comfortable with it. Learn how to use a photo editor (but upgrade if you decide to stick with elements).

When the day comes take LOTS of pictures. Keep your finger on the trigger, have extra memory cards. The more pictures you take the greater the chance that there will be some nice ones.

I used to be REALLY into photography (digital kind of killed it for me...) an ambitious amateur you may say. You can take very nice wedding pictures as a hobbyist with hobbyist equipment, but they will be more the "action shot" kind of pictures. Portraits and staged shots just don't come out as nice without the proper equipment and know how. As long as your friend knows that, it should be ok. Maybe they can have a few staged shots taken by a professional and you do the actual wedding/reception. That should come out cheaper than hiring a pro to do the entire thing.

One more thing: hiring a "pro" unfortunately is not guarantee for good pictures. I just received photos from a wedding we attended and the couple paid for a professional photographer and videographer, at least a few thousand $$$. A lot of the staged photos came out like c$%p. Out of focus, shadows on the bride's face, overexposed, underexposed just blech. Sure within the 5000 pictures (they sent us a DVD) there were a few nice ones... particularly of the ceremony and reception but I kept thinking that the staged ones (that they spend 5 hours! on taking before the ceremony) looked like they were done by a beginner... they had all the fancy equipment, but apparently none of them (there were 3 of them) had ever taken a class in proper picture composition and lighting.

Good luck!

Wow, what a huge responsibility! My husband just bought me a Nikon D5100 ($500 range). The quality of the pics is awesome. The camera shop offers a free class with the purchase so I will learn more then.
My advice would be to look at lots of professional photographers photos so you can learn what works and what doesn't. So often I think it is the background that makes the picture. (Ie. you don't want a school bus driving by in the background of a picture of the bride). Pay attention to how the bridal party is arranged in the photos because that will be your job. Additionally, my wedding photographer spent a lot of time fixing my veil and dress to make sure everything look perfect. My photographer also did engagement pictures and prior to my wedding day, took photos of me in my wedding dress without my husband. Good luck!

I am a professional photographer and have done many weddings! I use a canon 50D and I LOVE it. It really is a great camera. Not as fancy as the Mark series, but it's still a great camera. I use photoshop cs3. I would like the cs6, but I can't afford it, but I know and love CS3 anyway :) Weddings are very hard. If you have never done one, I would call around to local photographers and see if you can be an assistant for them once or twice. Really, the best and quickest way to learn is by experience. If you call around, you might get a lot of no answers, but keep trying and I'm sure you will find a nice photographer in your area that would be wiling to help you out. If I was closer, I would help you! Feel free to pm me if you have any questions. I have done many weddings, but I specialize in newborns and children

I shot my sister's wedding back in November with her sister-in-law (hubby's sister). We both use Nikon. I have a 5100 and she has a 3100. Both camera's give AMAZING shots. My 5100 was $900 back in September, but that came with the bag, extra lens (which I use ALL the time), huge memory card, etc. But the camera takes amazing, vibrant shots.

I also was worried about doing my sister's wedding because I am not professional and know nothing about editing. I take pictures of my kids and that's why I have a good camera. But she is SO happy with the pictures we got combined. It saved them hundreds, if not thousands of dollars.

The other photographer and I both got $100 gift cards to Ruth Chris Steakhouse - yum!! We both declined payment period and that was what we got instead...I told them it was unnecessary, but much appreciated.

As long as she knows you will not get the shots she wants and she will have to be happy with whatever you get, I'd do it. But it is a HUGE responsibility, probably one I would prefer to avoid in the future.

I have the canon rebel. Get the 55 mm lense, takes beautiful portriat, I have gotten many compliments. However, Practice practice practice... the focus is different than a regular lense.

I take my own shots of my kids. But it does take a lot of practice

Also, work on a list of what shots she wants so you dont miss any.