Wedding kit advice

[ImRaptor]

I've been asked by a friend to do photos at their wedding next year. I've done a few shoots for them in the past, but am not quite sure if I am comfortable with doing a wedding.
Anyway, I told them I'd think about it and let them know right quick.
What is hanging me up is my particular selection of equipment. I'm not really setup to do a wedding or indoor groups, at least in my mind.
I checked out renting, but the cost here is just to much to invest for them for a low key wedding. (ie a couple of lenses, cameras, and flash was $1500 without insurance).
This is what is in my house right now:
Bodies:
50D
30D
350D
Lenses:
Tamron 17-50mm f2.8
Canon 17-85mm IS
Sigma 70-200mm f2.8
Sigma 170-500mm
Sigma 30mm f1.4
Canon 50mm f1.8
Sigma 150mm f2.8
Flash:
Sigma 500 DG Super

The plan is to have the wedding outside, but possibly has them standing in a gazebo and out of the sun.
I am pretty sure I am going to need a 2nd flash and I'd like to get rid of the 17-85mm in favour of an 85mm f1.8 or a 24-70 Sigma, but I'd like to hear from the more experienced photogs as to what I could add to help me out next year. Obviously, the 170-500 will be useless to me, and I'm reluctant on the 50mm because of the AF, and this may be the first time ever that the volume of the AF on the Tamron may actually bother me. My 150mm is an absolutely awesome lens for IQ, but it focuses like a macro lens(a bit on the slow side); which may not be an issue with a static enough target. The 30mm has proven to be considerably better than I expected it would be, but I don't know about trying to use primes for a wedding; which also reflects against the 150mm as well.
This is supposed to a small wedding, and not a huge gathering or large event; it's taking place in a backyard. The reception is going to be inside a hall, but again not a very large group.

The plan right now is to throw my BG-E2N onto my 30D with the 70-200mm f2.8 and my 17-50 on my 50D; both with their own respective flash of course (one of which I would have to buy) and for the reception throw my 30mm onto the 50D. I'd like to have my 30D at this point with a 50-150mm f2.8, but I don't have one and I don't think I'll get one, so I'll stick with my 70-200 f2.8.

Suggestions on changes or if I'm along the right track comments would be very helpful.

I may still decide that I'm not comfortable doing a wedding at this point, but first I'd like to see if I can make some kit changes and try some trial "wedding" shots using my wife as the victim... I mean subject...

[david.moreno]

I reckon that the best wedding lens is the 24-70L. At my sisters wedding last week, that was the only lens I needed to use. I had my whole kit in the boot of the car, but in the end, it was fanstastic.

[bric-a-brac]

I like your plan. 17-50 on one cam, 70-200 on the other, 30/1.4 for reception (good practice for that lens since you say you don't feel comfortable with primes just yet). 2nd flash is probably more important as a backup than one for each camera, but agreed; pretty necessary.

Keep the Siggy 150 macro accessible, because if you get a free second to switch it up you could get some awesome detail shots.

Sounds to me like you're on the right track. Just be sure that you have some extra camera batteries, a lot of CF cards, and a ton of AA's for the flashes.

I'd love to talk more, but I actually have to go shoot a wedding now... :D

OH, EDIT: one more thought comes to mind as I'm getting prep'd: wear comfortable shoes.

[ImRaptor]

I like your plan. 17-50 on one cam, 70-200 on the other, 30/1.4 for reception (good practice for that lens since you say you don't feel comfortable with primes just yet). 2nd flash is probably more important as a backup than one for each camera, but agreed; pretty necessary.

Keep the Siggy 150 macro accessible, because if you get a free second to switch it up you could get some awesome detail shots.

Sounds to me like you're on the right track. Just be sure that you have some extra camera batteries, a lot of CF cards, and a ton of AA's for the flashes.

I'd love to talk more, but I actually have to go shoot a wedding now... :D

OH, EDIT: one more thought comes to mind as I'm getting prep'd: wear comfortable shoes.

Batteries, check.
Have 7 batteries for the 30D/50D and 4 for the Xt.
Cards, semi check.
4 CF cards, which I am thinking of picking up another 1 or 2 due to the switch from me shooting my 30D to the 50D now.
AA's, will make sure to have a nice box full.

I'm definitely enjoy shooting with my primes, but I'm not sure how easily I could be moving around to get the right distance, so I figured that during the wedding a prime was probably not a good idea.
Right now I'm thinking everything I have will be put in my Kata bag and brought except for the 170-500mm and 17-85mm.

[form]

AF accuracy and speed are important for weddings. I ended up with all canon lenses (except the sigma ultra-wide, which I'd replace if I could afford to for f/2.8 ) because of the need for good, fast/reliable AF for this type of work. Expect to shoot at high ISOs indoors or in the evening. Even my f/1.4 and f/1.2 primes are not enough sometimes without some kind of bounced or other flash assist.

The reason I mention AF is because I have experienced Sigma and Tamron AF systems, and Sigma's accuracy and Tamron's speed are very suspect to me. My old Tamron 28-75 was replaced by a Canon 24-70L solely for the reason of AF performance, and for that reason I have never gone back. I also used two different Tamron 17-50s, and I decided against keeping the lens for various reasons including the AF system.

Many kinds of jobs allow for less than perfect AF, but I think weddings (and sports) demand good AF speed and accuracy.

[DStanic]

Sounds like you are on the right track. If you could rent one lens, the 17-55 IS- that might be worthwhile (or buy it). I used that lens for a wedding a couple months ago and my keeper rate was amazing. Told myself I'd never buy it (for the price I wish it had "L" build quality) but I am now saving up for it.

Add a second flash and maybe the 85mm (works great!) and I think you got everything you really need. Don't spend too much time fussing over which lens to use, you are better off having a good zoom on one camera and 70-200 f/2.8 on the other (or maybe 85mm) and don't miss any moments.