Complete Novice - Asked to be a 2nd Shooter / Assistant at cousins wedding

[Origin]

Looking for advice. I've been asked by my Wifes cousin if I would be a 2nd shooter/ assistant to her photographer at her wedding in September.

First thing to note, it will be next to impossible for me to meet the principal logger until at best a couple of days before the actual event as I am in Vancouver and they are over in Vermillion (Alberta) So up until then anything arranged will be over the web / phone.
My main interest is landscapes, I've never really done people at all. I do this purely as a hobby and nothing else, I've told the cousin this and she still seems keen for me to do it.

I also told her that aside from lack of experience in this field of photography that I am not sure I have much of the required equipment.

My current set up consists of
Sony A77ii body
Sony 50mm F2.8
Sony 85mm F2.8
Sony HVL-F43AM Flash (I have a diffuser somewhere, need to find it)
Sigma 10-20mm F3.5-5.6
Sigma 18-250mm F.4.5-5.6
Wired and Wireless Remotes
Multiple memory cards
Multiple Batteries
Std tripod and travel tripods

And a few other lenses around, but those are mostly what is in and out of my bags consistently.

Would you do it? What sort of questions should I be asking this other togger to make sure I feel comfortable even attempting this? I figured maybe I could at the least do the grooms side of stuff in the morning before the ceremony? I figure it also means I would sort of miss out on most of the actual event and my wife would just be with her family rather than me for this.

Any ideas, suggestions and advice welcomed.
Do I just say no and that I would rather just be a guest and take shots as and when I feel like it through out the day and offer to send raw files to the main photographer to choose from, which of course she will get paid for doing as part of the package I presume and I offer this as sort of a wedding gift?

Just to also note. I have only met this cousin about twice in 10 years so don't know her very well at all.

Thanks

 

[ZG002]

She is likely trying to save money somewhere, you seem to be OK on the equipment side of things.

You are the only one who can really decide if you want to do it. It can be a long day! It's not as big a deal if you are second shooter as long as the main tog is any good. It's not like you haven't warned the bride that you ain't sure of your skills at such an event, you might surprise yourself and her.

 

[D.P.]

Do you do much wildlife photography? It sound funny but people are bit like wildlife photography but in many respects much easier : the people are easy to find, you can give them directions, after a few glasses of bubble they wont mind the photographer, it is much easier to understand basic human behavior than an animal's so you can easily predict certain events that lead to good opportunities. The technical side is the same, and the rules of composition are universal. Lighting is more challenging often but then you can use a flash inside.

If you can take good photos of animals and other subjects (still life, landscapes) then o have the basic skills to get technically acceptable shots with vaguely pleasing compositions. With people you are really looking for those special moments or more interesting compositions or subjects to set yourself apart. You can browse a lot of wedding photography to get good ideas, but it is quite hard to put other peoples ideas into practice on the day when you are really concentrating on getting everything right.

 

[Origin]

She is likely trying to save money somewhere, you seem to be OK on the equipment side of things.

You are the only one who can really decide if you want to do it. It can be a long day! It's not as big a deal if you are second shooter as long as the main tog is any good. It's not like you haven't warned the bride that you ain't sure of your skills at such an event, you might surprise yourself and her.

She probably is trying to save money, I don't mind that bit, I am more worried about not feeling capable of producing decent / good shots of her special day.

Do you do much wildlife photography? It sound funny but people are bit like wildlife photography but in many respects much easier : the people are easy to find, you can give them directions, after a few glasses of bubble they wont mind the photographer, it is much easier to understand basic human behavior than an animal's so you can easily predict certain events that lead to good opportunities. The technical side is the same, and the rules of composition are universal. Lighting is more challenging often but then you can use a flash inside.

If you can take good photos of animals and other subjects (still life, landscapes) then o have the basic skills to get technically acceptable shots with vaguely pleasing compositions. With people you are really looking for those special moments or more interesting compositions or subjects to set yourself apart. You can browse a lot of wedding photography to get good ideas, but it is quite hard to put other peoples ideas into practice on the day when you are really concentrating on getting everything right.

I do some wildlife occasionally, mostly wild eagles when i can. I will take a look at some wedding sites to get an idea of what sort of thing I should be looking for.

Thank you both for your replies.