Outdoor Wedding + NikonD40.. help!?

I just got a call from a friend asking me to take pics at her mom's wedding in 2 DAYS! Obviously it's short notice & I'm scared; I've never done "pro" photography before and weddings are so important and special. Unfortunately I don't have a tripod so I'm going to have to hold the camera. Does anyone have suggestions on what manual (or auto) settings I should use on the NikonD40 for maximum quality pictures? I'm mostly worried about blurring; not so much the lighting since it'll be outdoors. I don't like using flash but would it be a good idea just to reduce the risk of blurred faces/bodies, etc.? Thank you for any advice!

If the wedding is outdoors in daylight you shouldn't have much trouble with blur from camera shake. Even if overcast your shutter speed should stay up at least above 1/60 or 1/125. Meter the scene at ISO 200. If it seems too slow, move your ISO up until you get a reading you're comfortable with. Most pros do not use a tripod except for low light ceremonies inside churches, usually. A few use one for formals, but outdoors you should be fine without one. If you have to use a flash, get close enough for the light to reach, and use a higher ISO.

If you are accustomed to shooting in the manual mode, then do so. If not, this is not the time to learn. Shoot in program mode and use the exposure compensation as needed. Check your histogram several times, and any time the lighting changes. You want to avoid blowing the highlights, so if the histogram is bunching up to the extreme right, back down the exposure.

Do not be afraid. Weddings are important, yes. Of course you want to do the best job you can. Obviously the friend understands that you are not professional. Make sure her mother understands that as well. I have no idea why they called you at the last minute, did they not hire a pro photog or did something happen? If there is a pro shooting, make sure to stay out of his/her way and look for the shot the pro isn't getting. If you're THE event photographer, just do your best. Buy an extra memory card if you don't already have a few, you want to make sure you don't run out of memory. Unless you are accustomed to shooting RAW, I suggest the large fine jpeg. Or shoot both, but that takes up memory. Make sure you start with fresh batteries in everything and take a spare if you have one. Try to get a backup camera, even if it's a P&S or film. Have film and batteries for it as well. Watch backgrounds when posing. Don't have clutter or trees growing out of heads. Unless you're used to posing people, keep it simple. Turn bodies at an angle to the camera. Don't chop off feet on the full length portraits.. Leave some crop room, especially in the group shots. Get some closeups, too. Have people lean in close together. Hugs are great. Get detail pictures of the flowers, cake, rings etc.

Keep calm, shoot lots, check your exposure, back up the files as soon as you get home. Hope everything goes well, let us know how it turns out.. Good luck!

EDIT**

Come on, guys. Obviously the friend is not gonna get a professional on two days notice. If they wanted one they would have gotten one long ago. The OP doesn't say what the circumstances are here. Normally I would advise not to undertake the job, but it's rather hard handed to turn a friend down in need. And, believe it or not, some people don't put a high value on the wedding photography. Maybe it's this woman's fifth marriage or something, or maybe she is in witness protection, we just don't know the details. The OP understands the importance of the job and asked for help and suggestions. This question ain't like the person who bought a Rebel last week and wants to go into wedding photography business this week. to make those big rolls of dough you know we all make. So give her a break!

Set your shutter speed to 1/125... this should help a lot with blurring from movement. Meter your shots and open the aperture up 2 stops to make the dress really white, otherwise it will come out gray. Since you're outside you won't really need the flash, unless you want to use it as a fill light.

Good luck and shoot shoot shoot!!!

Shoot in the aperture priority mode with the lens wide open indoor except when you are using your external flash (then stop down three stops). Don't try to use the onboard flash, since you will have do deal with "redeye".

I hope your friend has a pro shooting too. There is much more to wedding photography than a camera and good intentions.

This is a one time deal ...

Before you shoot this, practice shooting in the same lighting situations and get your technique honed.

keep ur cam on shutter prearity mode, where u are fiixing ur shutter to avoide the blur.the camera will deside the apperture.make sure ur shutter must be 125,
a built in flash will help u, to fill the light in.wht else ur going to get some great pic..

I take it you're going to be the principal (or maybe the only) photographer.

If you are asking such basic questions at this point, you're not qualified for the job.

My advice is to call her back and say you're sorry but you don't have the skills to photograph such an important event.

Suggest that she call a professional wedding photographer instead.

HTH
V2K1

Please, PLEASE! don't do it! You obviously are not prepared or properly equipped.

I know, I know ... people (especially friends!) will tell you that they know you're not a pro and they just want a "few snapshots" and they're sure you'll "do your best."

But believe me - regardless of what they say - they really DO expect professional results. After all, you have one of those cameras that has a "big lens" and looks so professional ... you're obviously a great photographer.

Don't set yourself up for certain disappointment, and the possible loss of a friend.