Using a Medium-Sized Modifier during Reception

In general, I take two approaches to lighting at a reception. Most of the time, it's just an on-camera flash bounced off the ceiling with a large bounce card. This keeps me nimble and responsive. That along with balancing exposure produces pleasant results.

For the "event" shots (toast, father/daughter dance, cake, etc.), I like to use two flashes with the help of an assistant. It's the basic portrait set up; he's ~25 degrees to one side with the flash held high and my on-camera provides fill. When we're doing this, both flashes are bare and direct. While this works well enough, I've never been fully satisfied with the results.

I've played around with alternate approaches such as having one flash or the other bounce off the ceiling with a bounce card. I also have a small flash softbox (maybe 12x8?) but it's just not large enough to have a meaninful effect.

So my question: I have a couple of 22" umbrellas that are pretty portable and improve the light so much and I'm tempted to use one on the off-camera flash. But is it too obnoxious to the couple and guests to be swinging around something that large during their reception? It would be held up high above people's heads, but still, it seems a little intrusive, no?

I don't use anything under 43" and most of the time I use 60" umbrellas/brollies. I swing it around as necessary. I guess I am inconsiderate of the persons attending the wedding.

Umbrellas are too directional, they'd be too distracting to keep moving. I do this. I occasionally use umbrellas for the first dance.

form wrote in post #12581278
I don't use anything under 43" and most of the time I use 60" umbrellas/brollies. I swing it around as necessary. I guess I am inconsiderate of the persons attending the wedding.

Wow, so you use full size studio umbrellas? Not just for portraits but during the actual reception? And no one has complained or given you grief?

I'm not attacking, genuinely just asking and understanding.