Wedding Shooters... I need your advice

My apology for opening another "I need your advice" topic.
I will be shooting my first (church) wedding tomorrow. The videographer, a.k.a. "My Boss" that I will be working with told me last minute that it is a wedding event. I've shot 3 quinceñearas (spanish sweet 15) already and this will be my first wedding as the main shooter. I will be working alone as the shooter. No second shooter.

What advice can you give me? Any tips or tutorials?
What gear and settings should I focus on especially when inside the church assuming flash are not allowed? (ISO/aperture/shutter settings)

Which gear should I bring?


Here is the list of my gear:

- Gripped 5D mark II
- Gripped 40D
- 17-40L
- 24-70L
- 70-200 f/2.8L IS
- 15mm fisheye
- 50L
- 85L
- 100L macro
- 580ex II
- 430ex II

Thank you...

jj fad wrote in post #12844466
My apology for opening another "I need your advice" topic.
I will be shooting my first (church) wedding tomorrow. The videographer, a.k.a. "My Boss" that I will be working with told me last minute that it is a wedding event. I've shot 3 quinceñearas (spanish sweet 15) already and this will be my first wedding as the main shooter. I will be working alone as the shooter. No second shooter.

What advice can you give me? Any tips or tutorials?
What gear and settings should I focus on especially when inside the church assuming flash are not allowed? (ISO/aperture/shutter settings)

Which gear should I bring?


Here is the list of my gear:

- Gripped 5D mark II
- Gripped 40D
- 17-40L
- 24-70L
- 70-200 f/2.8L IS
- 15mm fisheye
- 50L
- 85L
- 100L macro
- 580ex II
- 430ex II

Thank you...

No back up camera?

airfrogusmc wrote in post #12844475
No back up camera?

No... just those 2 bodies.

jj fad wrote in post #12844971
No... just those 2 bodies.

Oppps sorry I missed the 40D.

At this point, you should probably just read through the stickies and the threads here, and go for it.

Well, you certainly have adequate gear for the job.

I would bring EVERYTHING!!!!

scorpio_e wrote in post #12845062
I would bring EVERYTHING!!!!

That what I was doing but toooooo heavy...

You have all that gear and you don't know what settings to use in low light?

My advice is to use the 5D set to ISO 3200 (or 6400 if need be) and shoot with the 70-200 and 24-70 during the ceremony. Same for the reception if the light is low. Use the 50 and 85 for the getting ready shots. Bounce your flash. The 16 will be useful for a couple of shots here and there. Use the 100 macro for ring shots.

Oh, and don't whine about your gear being "too heavy". Look at my sig. That's what I bring to every wedding. It may not all get used but it's there if I need it.

jj fad wrote in post #12845169
That what I was doing but toooooo heavy...

Bring it all. If you have to leave it in the car. Take photos of things that happen, and things the couple spent time/money on.

Put the 70-200 on the 40D, the crop with give you reach, and the 24-70 on the 5D, the FF will give you wide. Throw the 50L in a pocket or carry with bag. Enjoy and look for the moment, my best shot from a wedding was a big gnarly looking biker covered in tattoo's (neck and head included) and looked like the baddest bloke I've ever seen! It was his daughter getting married and I got a photo of a tear running down his cheek as his daughter walked Down. The isle.

Bring it all, and wear comfortable shoes.

I agree with the others that have posted. I will add to the "shoot anything the bride spent time/money on"

I suggest...
Shoot anyone wearing a flower (Corsage or boutonnière) and take shots of any elderly people attending the event. Be ready with that 70-200 during exchanging of the rings. Mostly try to anticipate what will be happening before it happens(hugs, wiping tears, high-fives, etc) and make sure you are ready to shoot it!

You really do need to have everything there (I bring quite a bit more). At least in the car so you can get it if something craps out. In the church, don't be afraid to go to ISO3200, especially on the 5D2, and use the 50L if you can count on it focusing fast enough for the processionals. I'd probably put the 70-200 on the 40D. Use flash for the processionals, natural for everything else.

For the reception (or even preparations), be sure you have good flash skills (balancing with ambient, bouncing, etc.)

Beyond that, simply have a plan. Go through the day in your head, think of where you'll want to be with what gear and settings, etc.

The only one I might leave home is the 15 but eve that would be a tough call. You should be a pack mule and bring the entire set with you esp being the one and only shooter