Asking close friend (professional photographer) to photograph our wedding??

Don't.

She's not even a wedding photographer. Hire a wedding photographer and include her as a guest or bridesmaid. Don't make her work at your wedding.

I recommend not asking. If she wants to do anything wedding/engagement related, she will offer.

Let's ignore the friendor part of this and focus on the fact that this person doesnt do weddings.

I would not for that fact alone.

I have a friend doing mine also, but she does weddings. However, shes not someone that would have been in the wedding party and though shes a friend, her husband and I have been BFFs since grade school. We have a legit contract and shes extremely excited to be doing this. The whole process has been super professional.

I would say maybe allow this person to do your epics if you want some (and if theyre looking to build a portfolio, it might help them). But I would probably say no to the wedding part.

1.) If she is such a close friend, having her work as the wedding photographer would mean she won't get to participate as a dear friend. She won't be part of the celebration. She won't get to enjoy the day, and you won't get to share your special, life changing event with her. She will be busy working and will be behind the camera the whole time. She won't be there to interact. I think that would be a shame.

2.) Weddings are way different than other kinds of photography. You need someone who is well versed in capturing every single thing that happens, who is used to photographing an all day event, and who is experienced in handling the stress of working a wedding. If she's never done weddings before, she could easily get overwhelmed or she would not be able to calm you or the others involved in your wedding down or know how to coordinate with your other vendors. This could result in you ending up without the shots you want of important parts of the day because she missed it or with pictures where you don't look comfortable.

Hire a professional wedding photographer and let this friend enjoy herself as a friend at your wedding.

Easy. She's not a wedding photographer, and you're having a wedding, right?

Put her in the wedding party.

Don't. Friends and family shouldn't work on the day of the wedding.

If she offers that's another story.

Wow, such a responsive/helpful community here! Very clear feedback. Great thoughts, and no I would never want to ruin the friendship. Thanks everyone!!