I would suggest being careful with older Rebel kits. You should prioritize finding a Canon EOS R50 with RF-S 18-45mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM deal as it's far better for beginners.

TL;DR: Check the Canon USA Refurbished site immediately for the best Black Friday price drops! It is the secret weapon for staying under budget. If you want to maximize that $500, you have to be smart about the wedding environment. Indoor weddings are usually pretty dark, so you need gear that handles low light well without being too complex. I love the Canon EOS R100 with RF-S 18-45mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM for a total beginner on a budget! It is super compact and the autofocus is amazing for the price. Tbh, it is way better than the old Rebel models you see at big box stores. Here is a methodical way to spend that $500 effectively:

• Look for the Canon EOS R100 kit on sale. It usually hits around $350 during major holiday sales.
• Spend the remaining money on the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM lens.
• Pick up a fast SanDisk 128GB Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-I Card so you dont have lag when taking photos. Honestly, that 50mm lens is going to be your best friend for the wedding! The kit lens that comes with the camera is okay for outdoors, but the nifty fifty lets in so much more light and gives you that professional blurry background for portraits of your sister. It is a fantastic combo! Since you are in Chicago, maybe swing by some shops to feel them in your hand, but definitely watch the official site for those refurbished deals. They come with a full warranty and its basically like buying new gear for way less. You have got this!

I've spent a lot of money on gear over the years and weddings are the one place where you really dont want to cut corners too much. In my experience, the biggest trap beginners fall into during these sales is the value bundle where they give you two lenses and a bunch of accessories for a low price. I bought a setup like that years ago and the secondary lens was so dark I couldn't even use it inside. Most of that extra stuff is just filler. I've compared Canon to the other big brands like Sony and Nikon, and while they're all okay, I've found Canon's menu system way easier to navigate when you're in a hurry. But seriously, be careful. If you go for the absolute cheapest model on the shelf, you're gonna struggle with the autofocus in a church or reception hall. I've had gear hunt for focus for five seconds while the main event was happening and it's a total nightmare. Focus on getting one decent body and one decent lens rather than a box full of junk you'll never use.

+1

Been thinking about your budget and that wedding date. Since you are in Chicago, dont just stick to the big box stores. Check out Abt or Central Camera because in my experience, those local shops actually have staff who can walk you through the gear. For a wedding, lighting is gonna be your biggest enemy. Over the years, I have seen so many beginners get frustrated because their photos are dark or blurry. If you want to use that $500 wisely, look for a deal on the Canon EOS R50 but try to budget for a separate lens. The standard zoom lens that comes in the box is kind of useless in a dark reception hall. You really want the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM. It is small, cheap, and lets in a ton of light which is what you need for those nice, clear shots of your sister. I have tried many kits and that 50mm is basically the gold standard for budget portraits. Just put the camera in a mode where it tracks eyes and you will be fine. Reliability is key when you only get one shot at the ceremony, and the R50 autofocus is way better than the older Rebel models.