Stobes or slaves- what is sacrificed?

[BlueTreePhoto]

I shoot weddings, and I usually set up my Alien Bees for altar shots (which can be for 2-16 people). However I never seem to get them just right and I get shadows between people, so I was thinking perhaps flashes would do better- one head on and 2 to the sides? I prefer to take formals outdoors, but sometimes they want them indoors and who am I to argue on their day?

Anyhow, I was curious what others do for a wedding- set up their strobes before and after the ceremony (which I do now)? Rely on slaves(which would mean a lot less equipment)? Sometimes there is enough light, but it seems the bridal party is usually wearing darker colors...

Also, if I just use my 580 and 430 (and perhaps buy a second 430) do I have to worry about other flashes triggering them? I typically don't slave them and forget exactly how it works.

Really I want to transition over to a more photojournalistic style, so I suppose I should phase my strobes out to be more 'spontaneous'?? Perhaps this isn't the right place to ask this... wedding section perhaps would
be better?

[Curtis N]

I was thinking perhaps flashes would do better- one head on and 2 to the sides?The two on the sides will give you hard-edged shadows on the rows behind them. The one on the camera will mitigate this somewhat, but the hard shadows from small light sources will be easily noticeable.

Group shots are always a challenge. For wedding formals you're shooting multiple groups of every shape and size, with no time to rearrange the lights for each shot. The only practical solution is to keep it simple.

Simple means one light, with the largest umbrella you can hang on it, directly above the camera. If you think you need two lights, put them on either side of the camera, as close together as possible.

[BlueTreePhoto]

Yes, it is so tough to photograph groups that are everchanging, you are correct there :D Thanks for the input. My umbrellas are about the size of a regular out-in-the-rain kind, so I guess I will look into a bigger one. My biggest issue is when I get shadows between people and on the person who is toward the back of the photo, so I guess my lights aren't close enough...

Thanks again!