An SB-600 would be great. The Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 is a great lens on the cheap. You could probably do the whole wedding with it but you may want more telephoto. Make sure you get a model with the built-in autofocus motor if you want AF on the D5000. The 50 1.8 won't AF, but the 35 1.8G or 50 1.4G will. Good luck!

to the OP, you can rent at borrowlenses.com or any other rental site, just have it shipped on the day of. . .trust me on the flashes, get a SB900/SB600 combo and it'll be an easy shoot. . .would suggest renting a 17-55 2.8 or 24-70 2.8 as well, but might feel lopsided on a D5k. . .just a thought. . .good luck!

Weird my post is the last one but it shows up before jonny and shiva?

Guys I deleted her comments after Poster's "I concur with Niko" post. Trust me if I hadn't then none of you would have offered anymore advice after that and this thread would have turned into an angry "back and forth". I think the other threads in the links above have more useful information. TMG actually asked that this entire thread and her account be deleted and she "vowed" never to return to our fourm. I honestly don't think anyone's wedding "suggestions" up to "I concur with Niko" were mean spirited but oh well...

No matter how look at your investment, you are going to spend over a grand to do the wedding right unless you already have a good flash. I too go along with many here and suggest the Tamron 17-50/f2.8, since you are conscience how much you want to spend, that is the bast bang-for-the buck you're going to find. For the flash, I have the Metz 58 AF-1 which I really like, and it is a bit cheaper than the SB900. There are plenty of light diffuser solutions out there to choose from, I bought the Gary Fong kit, and have been pretty happy with it, although there are cheaper products. If you don't already have it, a really good quality RAW software as I suggest you shoot RAW which I'll withhold a suggestion since this thread will quickly become all about RAW.

Bottom line you'll need

1) A better faster constant aperture lens.
2) Good flash, do not use the on camera flash unless she is not all that great of a friend after all. :-)
3) Light diffuser.
4) Plenty of batteries since I have a hunch you don't want to spring for a pack.

JA - will the Tamron AF for her?

If people can't handle forums or criticism, stay off the internet.

DUCK!

Haha! she is just a woman. Venus vs mars thing..? ask a question but really want validation and support.. sigh .. Maybe she is already stressed out by needing to do the shoot. Seriously, the tone of her reply really put me off at first. And I didn't feel like wasting any more of my time trying to help her.

Just to defend the OP,

Obviously comments regarding the situation are pretty irrelevant at this point.

1. She already accepted to shoot.
2. She already informed the bride of her lack of experience.
3. She is looking for help in technical aspects of shooting a wedding, equipment etc.

Therefore any more comments regarding the situation itself is in fact a waste of time for her, since the shoot date is approaching and she desperately needs help rather than read the same old tired opinions on the situation such as she happens to find herself in.

To the OP:

But acting rude does make you look like you have sand in your v*****.

TMG I have no idea why you feel the need to be so "upset" with the responses you've gotten here so far?!? Everyone has given you good advice and no one has been "mean" to you at all! But your last remarks were unnecessarily harsh to the members of this forum and very much uncalled for. Sorry you feel the need to never return to this forum just because you don't like the suggestions you got?!???!

I concur with Niko about getting and learning to use flash. And don't forget to gel the flash. I learned the hard way.

Although it was mentioned before, get a fast prime like the 35mm 1.8 (I know forum :P!) or the 50mm 1.8. Seriously they will help you when a flash might be a problem...

jonnyapple said:
That's six, spraynpray

Darned inflation ;->

If you don't want any "strong opinions" then you shouldn't have titled your thread "Suggestions for a wedding with D5000" and then complain about the suggestions you do get. Everyone who has contributed so far is just trying to help you. If you are only looking for "specific" lens recommendations then my previous link is all about lenses for a wedding.

"best combination lens for wedding photo shoot"
http://nikonrumors.com/forum/topic.php?id=2198

Now if you want even more specific lens info then you need to say what your budget is and don't just say "I am willing to invest to get good shots" as your answer if your budget is only $500 max, etc.

As I said before invest in a flash and LEARN to use the camera and lenses you already have. If you don't understand or have proper technique you can spend, spend, spend all you want on equipment but that's never a guarantee you'll "get good shots".

thanks for all the great input

- as far as budget- I am willing to invest to get good shots, (because I am would like to get better,once I am more familiar with this camera) BUT between lenses and a flash I dont want to go into too much debt-just yet-- maybe later on- Would love to get the MOST FOR MY $$ out of the lenses and like I said before, the NIKON lingo is new to me, so my research on prices is taking a while - Not to mention all the conflicting reviews, thats why I tried this....... I am looking for as many suggestions as possible, to narrow down the choices

--- as for renting or hiring any equipment- I live in an extremely small town, so not sure that will be possible- as much as I would love to!!!

rent a flash, you'll need a SB600 or 900. . .maybe a couple, those lenses are not nearly fast enough for an evening affair. . .

if it's during the day and outdoors, you might be able to get by. . .extra sd cards, extra battery as well. . .I usually burn through about 3,000 shots for a small wedding. . .and it's TOUGH, take's stamina, good luck. . .

spraynpray said:
Remember the five P's - proper planning prevents piss poor performance. Read, think, plan, discuss with friend what shots she wants, if you have to use flash get a softbox, lots of memory, shoot raw and large fine .jpg's and and and....

That's six, spraynpray (I think you had gratuitous piss in there somewhere). I like those six.

Do you have any sort of budget to get another lens or anything? That would be helpful information. Looking at the camera gear you said you have it would seem that any of the faster Nikon lenses might be out of budget, but the 35 f1.8 might be helpful especially with indoor pictures and some of the pictures where you might need the better depth of field. If you have some extra money maybe pick up a faster Tamron or Sigma lens. I would also stock up on a larger memory card so that you don't have to worry about running out of space. Shoot in RAW so some editing can be done later if it is needed. I tend to shoot in A mode, but I guess that would be up to you if you felt comfortable. I don't tend to shoot much at all in the other modes unless I really can't get a picture to come out. I would go through the menus and buttons to familiarize yourself with them. The faster you can change your settings to get the picture you want the better off you will be.

Well I want to say thanks to those who have posted true suggestions directly relating to my original post

But I also want to clarify a few things for those who have posted such strong opinions ( which I was really hoping to avoid because it is not helpful in my situation)- 1. IT HAS BEEN MADE VERY CLEAR TO HER, I AM NOT A PRO and that has been addressed- so as not to ruin our friendship 2. I was once (not too long ago) a bride- SO ... I understand how important the day is, as well as how important the photos are, which shots she will need, and how to go about getting organized for the event--3. I also have several books on wedding photography already, AND have full intention of practicing as much as I can before the event

With that being said and as much as appreciate the responses- i am really only looking for suggestions on the specific things I asked in the original post....... recommendations for portrait lenses, wedding lenses, flash, and specific camera settings. I do however welcome the website and book information-- even previous experience stories, but I will ask PLEASE NO MORE opinions on the situation itself- that does not help me and NOT what I joined this forum for

Eck...good luck. You have more guts then I do. I agree with the practice and possibly look into a faster lens if you can afford it.

Oh and as a tip make sure you mention you are not a professional photographer. I already told my wife's whole family this. She wanted me to take some family pictures and I told them just because I had a new "expensive" (for me at least) camera it didn't mean I was now a pro.

Your lenses I assume are the VR versions...
Look into getting the Tamron 17-50 F2.8 VC and/or the 35mm F1.8. Flash is important indoors, at the very least get the SB600. A soft box will help a lot. Get them soon so that you have time to practice. I wouldnt go into a wedding shoot without a second camera and lens. I would also Hire another camera and lens. I am sure she could spring for that ?

and remember that it's most likely the most important day for the bride

Remember the five P's - proper planning prevents piss poor performance. Read, think, plan, discuss with friend what shots she wants, if you have to use flash get a softbox, lots of memory, shoot raw and large fine .jpg's and and and....

I would have declined this personally. Weddings are not easy, especially if you're the only shooter. A great way to lose a friendship. Since you're heading down this road, do lots of research. Build a list of key shots for each "stage" of the wedding and prioritize this list with your friend. Scott Kelby "The Digital Photography Book" vols 1 & 2 have good information on shooting weddings. The books are cheap and easy reads. Vol 3 is my least favorite but sill has good information regarding lighting. I highly suggest you read them. The kit lenses will place you at a disadvantage since many wedding shots are in low light. Make sure you have a really good tripod rig. Spare of everything in your equipment bag. Consider simply renting the lenses for the weekend unless you were planning to fork out the money for some good glass. Good luck.