I remember shooting a friend's wedding in a dark venue and my old off-brand flash just died right during the first dance. It was terrifying... honestly wouldnt wish that on anyone. If you want absolute reliability for the D7500, finding a used Nikon SB-700 AF Speedlight is a very safe bet. It communicates perfectly with the Nikon system and the build quality is basically bulletproof. But the Godox V860III-N TTL Li-ion Flash is actually a decent option if you're worried about power. I've used one for events and that lithium battery is a beast. You wont have to carry around pockets full of AA batteries which is a huge relief. Since you're on a $250 budget, definitely look for a used Nikon SB-910 Speedlight online. Its a professional workhorse that handles heat way better than the smaller units during long ceremonies.

^ This. Also, be careful with thermal limits during long receptions. I once had a flash overheat and lock up right as the couple started their exit... totally embarrassing. If you are budget-conscious for that Seattle wedding, consider these:

• Nikon SB-910 Speedlight handles heat way better than the 700 series.
• Godox TT685II-N Flash for Nikon is affordable but keep an eye on the 0.1-2.6s recycle time as AAs drain.

Building on the earlier suggestion, I totally agree that reliability is huge, but honestly Godox is amazing for wedding work now! I love it because:

• Lithium battery in the Godox V860III-N TTL Flash for Nikon beats AAs easily.
• Recycle times are super fast so you wont miss shots.
• Godox V1-N Round Head Flash for Nikon gives amazing soft light. Modern third-party gear is just fantastic for this!

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Like someone mentioned, reliability is the biggest factor when you're on the clock. I'm a bit of a data nerd so I've actually benchmarked the voltage drop on those lithium packs vs NiMH rechargeables and the results are pretty eye-opening. > dont know if third-party stuff is actually reliable enough... Honestly, I've been really satisfied with how far things have come. I used to be worried about third-party gear too, but just go with Godox and you'll be fine. The lithium-ion stuff they're putting out now has such a consistent discharge rate that your exposure stays way more stable during long sequences compared to old-school speedlights. I've had no complaints using them for all-day events. Basically, just pick up any of the lithium units from that brand and you'll be happy. It makes a huge difference not having to carry 20 extra AAs in your bag too.