Added advice:

Over the past couple of years the wedding industry has grown enormously, and just about every wedding couple knows at least one friend or family member who owns a digital camera and who is willing to take their wedding photographs cheap or for free.

If you are one of these photographers, you will have to realise that there is a big responsibility on you to take good photographs of events that happen only once. If you missed the ring being put on the finger, or the kiss after the promises, there will be no other chances.

The responsibility to capture the most special day in two people's lives is enormous, and you must be able to think on your feet and improvise when things don't go according to plan.

The lighting in most churches is not always ideal and a white dress and black suit are not good friends, especially not in harsh light.

Here is some advice for you:

• If you can, go and look at the venue before the day of the wedding. It will give you an idea of where to position yourself to get the best shots and also of the lighting conditions you will be facing.

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• Meet the minister/rabbi/pastor beforehand and make sure of any restrictions in church or during the sermon where you are not allowed to take photographs.

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• Try to take photographs of the table settings and flower arrangements at the reception venue before the guests arrive, because once they are there they might move things around on the tables and it may not be possible to get photographs of the arrangements.

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• Ask the wedding couple beforehand which family members they want in group photographs because on the day of the wedding they will probably be too preoccupied to pay attention. It will also save you the embarrassment of, for instance, placing divorced parents next to each other.

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• Don't try to take the photographs and make the DVD, because you WILL miss the photo opportunities while switching between cameras.

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• Take a spare camera in case something goes wrong with one.

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• The best time of day for outdoor photographs, especially in countries where the light is harsh, is during the golden hour - about an hour before sunset. If you have to shoot in harsh light, use fill-in flash.

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• It will hardly be possible to expose for a white dress and a black suit at the same time, so rather expose for skin tones and make sure you get enough detail photographs of the dress before the wedding.

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• When you take group photographs, make sure every person is either in the sun or in the shade to get uniform exposure. Be careful of shadow patches under trees.

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• Choose camera angles that are flattering to the bride. Try not to take photographs from a low angle.

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• When you photograph the couple alone, use a telephoto lens or if you have a fixed lens camera, zoom out. By doing this you can keep your distance and make the couple feel more at ease.

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• Use your aperture setting to get rid of disturbing backgrounds (Know your camera’s exposure controls) and to keep the focus and attention on the bride and bridegroom.

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• Be prepared for bad weather. Take an umbrella and a large cloth for the bride to stand on if it rains so that her dress doesn't soil.

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• Always remain calm - there will be enough people who are going to be nervous.

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• When you get home, immediately make back ups of your photographs.