First Hand, First Time Wedding Experience

So I have been trying to get in to the wedding scene for some time and had approached number of established photogs here in dubai to shoot as second or third however before I could do any I got an opportunity to go head in as first and only shooter. Excited, nervous, happy, scared lots of emotions led to the day of the wedding. did lots of reading on POTN and watched couple of videos and well I shot my first wedding last Thursday.
Lots of lessons learned especially
1. Keep extra CF cards at arm length, and swap cards or change to a new card a little before every imp part of the wedding.
2. Keep more CF card,
3. Anticipate the emotions and be ready to fire
4. Dont delay the bridal session do it as early as possible so that the bride, groom and myself are fresh.
5. Cool down, relax and drink water

Here are some pics from the day will post more if requested.
Please be as critique as you like, this will help me get better.
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I think these are GREAT for your first try. Bravo!

Here's my take:

#2. Too bad about the guy with the tripod and tiny video camera. Mother has her eyes shut on the right photo.
#4. Great capture. Would have been even better without the hand by the window.
#6. Fun photo but not too crazy about the jumping lads in the back row. Just doesn't go with the rest of the photo.
#7: I like this photo, however perhaps the angle could have been better. Looks like her ear is in his eye!
#8: I like this photo as well, I don't like how her right arm looks. It is against the wall, around his neck? Can't see.

Thanks nick really appriciate your feedback

These are all great, I love the PP and it looks like you had a great rapport with the guests, the bride and the groom.

welcome to the field of pro wedding photography - now make sure to follow up properly with them and get those referrals - other people deserve photography this good!

#4 has to be my favorite. Looks like you did a good job for your first.

How did you light the group shot?

Thanks for the motivation, POTN has played a very important role and I would like to thank the platform and all the members for great help.

For the group shot I had 60 Softlighter II as the main light with Dlite4it and rim was 580EXII bare

Wow very very nice for your first time, your preliminary research is definitely evident.

My only cc: The mom's? teeth in #1 are unflattering and to me it detracts from an already great picture of the bride. Cant say Ive seen someone use a tripod on a video cam that small lol, shame he was in that shot.

bluelight wrote in post #12838885
Thanks for the motivation, POTN has played a very important role and I would like to thank the platform and all the members for great help.

For the group shot I had 60 Softlighter II as the main light with Dlite4it and rim was 580EXII bare

Off-topic, but how troublesome was the Softlighter to setup, breakdown, and move at this wedding?

Was thinking about getting either that or the PLMs.

Nick, softlighter II 60 was the modifier of my choice that day used it at the family formals, bridal and first dance.
its fairly easily to set it up, ~ 3 min from a-z. opens like an umbrella, and fit it on the strobe and then the cover, i use and eli insert to keep the fabric away from the flash tubes, gives a wider spread, learned it from the softlighter testing thread in the lighting section.
When i used it outdoor its good to have someone hold it or sand bagged in windy situation but non issue in doors.
two more of my fav images

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bluelight wrote in post #12842157
Nick, softlighter II 60 was the modifier of my choice that day used it at the family formals, bridal and first dance.
its fairly easily to set it up, ~ 3 min from a-z. opens like an umbrella, and fit it on the strobe and then the cover, i use and eli insert to keep the fabric away from the flash tubes, gives a wider spread, learned it from the softlighter testing thread in the lighting section.
When i used it outdoor its good to have someone hold it or sand bagged in windy situation but non issue in doors.
two more of my fav images

Cool. Thanks for the info.

My advice to you would be DONT CHANGE A THING! Excellent job.

First time?
Surely you jest!
Mate, as they say down-under, "Played hard. Done good."
I like it!

I like them, you did a good job. Wanted to know did you pose the b&g or are these just spontaneous shots?

I agree that they all look great. The only criticism that I can give is on the photo of the mother in #1. I too agree that the angle makes her teeth appear very unflattering.

Thanks for the encouragement and nice comments.
really motivated to find another wedding to shoot.

With regards to posing some yes and some no.
Cigar one: I asked him to light one.
Car: I told em to have the window half rolled hown and wave
Family Formal (directed the shot)
Bridals ( 80% direction)