really very tight on budget, so planning to shoot pre-wedding photo myself DIY style.
I got D90, Kit lens, Manfrotto Tripod and flash, Infra-remote trigger.
Any expert can provide useful tips ?
My tip is to do proper financial planning and invest in your marriage, what other leisure or non crucial things in life can you give up in to get this once in a live time thing done properly. Which is more important? But - different people have different perception, situation, environmental and many are valid reasons. So assuming your current financial ability or level of importance for wedding pictures is only at DIY level, here goes:
Scout locations with your camera and wife, take test photos and check exposure and flash power you need (your a strobist enthu right?).
Pre compose where to stand, where to position the tripod, make notes.
Learn some simple poses with your wife, also take the 'look at the camera smile happily' type of safe shots.
After a while you will realize you are repeating the same pose or it just doesn't look right, then don't waste time, its hard when you are not behind the camera, even behind the camera many pro wedding photogs (especially those singing the 90s PJ tune) can't do proper human portraiture too. Then don't waste time just take the look at the camera happily and smile shots.
If can don't use flash, don't, keep it simple.
Bring towels to wipe sweat because you will be doing a lot of walking back and forth, screwing and twisting tripod, and maybe cursing the equipment.
Are you guys in formal wedding attire? You need vehicle and a driver if you dont have license. You need a helper for the girl and gown too. People with no experience always think its easy, until the veil unravels and drop off, the wedding dress blackish and dirty and hair messy.
End of the day easier to use a real service instead.