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Are you going as a guest or as the official photographer?
18-105mm Nikkor VR is the most practical one. You can attach a close up filter for accessory close ups, like rings, flowers, etc.
one body more than one? for me.... two bodies Nikon D300s , and then the 17-55 f2.8 and the 70-200 f2.8 as well as two speedlights and softbox.... covers just about everything.
If i was buying more bodies, then the D700 just for low light ability, or higher, but its get REALLY expensive then. 
Sorry if you're asking questions like this then you should not be the official photographer. I'm not trying to put you down or be a smart arse or anything but if you can't even select your lenses (come on, that is quite a basic thing) then you really should just leave it to the professionals.
However, I will answer the question.
As you appear to be on Nikon I would recommend the following:
Essential:
2 bodies - whatever you are most comfortable with but would suggest D300's / D3's / D700's or a combination of the above.
For general stuff nikons 3 zooms the 14-24, 24-70 and 70-200 (all 2.8's) should cover it and obviously a pair of SB900 flashguns with diffusers.
Loads of cards / batteries.
Desirable:
A 3rd body, in case one of the other dies on the day.
A quantum flash pack or similar.
Some form of backup system (whether you just shoot simultaneously to both cards in a D3 or whether you copy images to another device throughout the day).
Some degree of redundancy in your lens outfit - what wil you do if you drop your 24-70?? Perhaps have a 24-105 in your car boot, that way you could also use the long end on a crop body and scrape by if you trashed the 70-200 as well.
Optional:
Depending on your style some nice fast primes for some creative, arty, available light work. Used properly they can lift your work above the ordinary.
Pocketwizards or something like that to enable the use of off camera flash if you need to, along with some light stands a few nice light modifiers in case you get time for some more set up stuff.
Oh Sam, absolutely right again...........but you are hard.
I read from the OP that tomcat is a "wedding" novice and probably knows that he is under qualified to do a wedding (as I know I am) .
He is probably in the same situation as myself at the moment. I have been asked by a cousin to do his wedding for him and I have had to accept on the basis that if I don't do it, he will have to rely on guests photos as he cannot afford to hire a professional photographer.
My advise to tomcat would be :-
1. Take samfurlong's advise on equipment.
2. If you are taking a professional fee for this....see sam's comment.
3. If you have been asked to do this as an unpaid favour for a friend/relative............jump in and enjoy yourself.
4. Tell them that the only thing you can promise is a "money back" guarrantee. (as I have)
By the way tomcat, even though sam's in a bad mood tonight, he did take the time to give you some great advise. Its best to heed guys like him on here
all the above is fine, please bear in mind a definition of wedding photography: portrait photography on steroids.
Bear in mind Sodd's law: what can go wrong will go wrong especially at a wedding.
The guests can be grumpy as can the bride and groom and family; weather can be foul; sometimes light can be akin to the Black Hole of Calcutta; the wind can blow like a hooligan, you may meet little Hitlers in the shape of officiants, venue organisers etc. etc.
However 99% of weddings flow like a dream but it is wise to be prepared in case of problems as you have to produce in any circumstances; whatever equipment you choose from the above advice preferably have it in triplicate, ensure there is a high degree of overlap within your lenses in case of lens failure; preferably choose cameras which write to two cards simultaneously in case of card failure.
Best of luck if it your first wedding; we all started once
Peter.
So Sorry I didn’t know you had to been born a pro photographer with all the knowledge and equipment there waiting for you to use this site
‘’’When your all that your brother can afford (free) it’s still nice to do your best’’’ poacher turn gamekeeper comes to mind
Thanks for the info all the same
Tomcat, I guess you are not a big user of the forums here. Don't take it too personally, threads like this about weddings come up every few weeks and the replies are often a bit unsympathetic. Try a search and read through a few of the previous entries.
Also don't underestimate how much a importance a bride can put on having good shots of her big day, and how much grief you could be in for. Remember, the groom may be your brother but the bridd may still not cut you much slack. Try Look at a few wedding blogs and such to see what is fashionable then find out in advance what she wants, for example; Preparation shots, the service, how many groups will there be, reportage or formal...
Then think about what you can deliver, gave a chat and lower her expectations as much as possible.
Quote: ’’When your all that your brother can afford (free) it’s still nice to do your best’’’ poacher turn gamekeeper comes to mind
Nice one Steven....
You know the old saying " Ask a simple question " .....LOL....
Get a load of tosh thrown at you for daring to mention the dreaded word " Wedding " .....
Anyhow its nice to see a proper reply from " Peter " & " Barry "without the use of a flame thrower......
All I would add is check out the Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8 if the price is not to scarey.....Its a superb lens and almost guarantees top results......
Good luck with your brothers wedding, If you can nab a sensible guest to help you organise the shots, That might help, Keep a calm head and try to plan every shot ( easier said than done ) ....!!!
Of course if you are considering going pro full time then all of the above sugestions for the kit required is essential.
However, as you say it is a favour to your brother, do you really want to spend £xxxx's on kit..... I doubt it.
If you know someone with an interest in photography and the same make cameras as yourself then ask if you can have a lend of thier camera body (some may be a little reluctant but it is unlikely you will actually need to use it) to keep in your kit bag as a back up, if that fails perhaps consider hiring a second camera body for the day, nothing too flash, just comparible with what you already use.
You could also consider hiring a good lens for the day and a flash if you do not already have a half decent one.
I see from your PF that you have a D300, a great camera for weddings. What lenses do you have? With a camera of that quality it is probably a fair bet that you already have a decent lens.
A great lens for a good price is the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 , it's reach is a little limited but if you have a standard lens thas goes up to around 200mm then you will be fine with the 18-50 as you will find that you are never too far from the action at a wedding.
As said above, have a good long chat with the B&G and make sure they know that you are not a pro wedding tog, make sure they know what to expect from you.
Regards
Paul
Quote: So Sorry I didn’t know you had to been born a pro photographer with all the knowledge and equipment there waiting for you to use this site
No one was born a pro, with all the kit blah blah blah.. but people who charge money for any sort of photography and then have to ask such basic questions really get on my nerves (sorry, I really don't believe in mincing words or pussyfooting around). I mean, DO YOUR FILPPIN RESEARCH and if you're not 100% confident you can pull it off then TURN THE JOB DOWN, GET SOME EXPERIENCE AND COME BACK TO IT WHEN YOU ARE READY!!
In your case it is now clear that you are not a professional wedding tog and are not masquerading as one so it is entirely expected that a little advice on kit would be helpful. Everyone has to start somewhere and despite over 10 years as a pro I would have no bloody idea how to do a high end fashion shoot for example.
Quote: ‘’’When your all that your brother can afford (free) it’s still nice to do your best’’’ poacher turn gamekeeper comes to mind
In this situation I think it is reasonable to assume that your brother knows the deal and is not expecting you to turn up with £15,000 worth of gear and turn in a set of pics that you'd normally pay £1,000 for. Perhaps if you had put the context in your original post (i.e. that you were doing someone a favour and not charging a client full whack) then I would have phrased my response more appropriately.
With the situation as it is I think you'd be okay with one (preferably 2 though) bodies and a pair of zooms, something in the 24-70 range and something in the 70-200 range should do the trick and a pair of decent , reliable flashguns. As has been said, ask a friend if you can borrow a spare body if you do not have one, or if you really want to have a go with some nice high end Nikon glass then look at the rental prices from camerarent and calumet, the weekend rates are very reasonable indeed.
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