First "Wedding" - Few Quick Qs

I'm mostly a kids/family portrait shooter...got asked by a friend to shoot a real low-key wedding. Only shooting for 2 hours -description was "it's a short service and the reception is at the same location. No wedding party, just pics of our family and some random candid pics after that."

I'm working on the contract now, already have insurance for my gear, etc.

My biggest question - how much lighting gear would you bring?

I have 3x manual speedlites (YN560IV), YN560TX to fire those. Plus 3x Alienbees (2x B800, 1x B1600) and YN622 to fire those. Have a good amount of modifiers and light stands too. I will be shooting this solo...so one big fear is lugging all the lighting stuff and taking too much time to set up. This is for a friend, so I'm not charging enough to justify an assistant or second shooter.

Besides the lighting stuff, here's what I have:
5d3, t2i
24-105L, 50L, 135L, 100-400L II

I think I know my answer - drive to the place first and scope it out. But any other advice? Would you bring the big lights for outside family photos and use speedlites for the reception? I'm a little worried about theft of all this gear (I do have insurance...but still).

I would have one on camera flash. Bounce where you can, flash for fill when you can't. 24-105L is plenty good.

2 hours isn't enough time to do a bunch of pics with great lighting. Scoping out the venue will tell you what you need, you may need to bring one strobe + stand and bounce off the ceiling if they are tall, that will work better than a speedlight.. but in all honesty getting the shots is most important vs getting the lighting perfect on a first wedding that is as you describe.
even if you have to do strait on camera flash for the whole thing.. having the shots vs not having the shots because you are fiddling with all the lighting equipment... eh...

Bring someone to do some test shots with. Be sure to have a way to set or calibrate custom white balance.
Be sure to be at rehearsal and scope out proper locations for the shots. Test various locations with and without flash, your 5D3 is the ticket.

JMHO. Bring backups, but leave it in the car trunk or other safe place inside.

Yes, professionals do use more and can do more... but they have the experience and knowledge of weddings, they are very fast paced, using 2 camera bodys/lenses and all that lighting would be if you had 30-40 weddings under your belt. This is where the K.I.S.S principle will pay off.

I'd bring one body with a 24-105 and a speed light on it (eTTL if you have it), bring a second body for backup but dont use it. no need to set up all the additional lighting, leave it home.

bring the 50L and 135L and swap to them for some posed shots or if you cant get close or use flash and need the wide aperture during the ceremony.

ksbal wrote in post #17646416
2 hours isn't enough time to do a bunch of pics with great lighting. Scoping out the venue will tell you what you need, you may need to bring one strobe + stand and bounce off the ceiling if they are tall, that will work better than a speedlight.. but in all honesty getting the shots is most important vs getting the lighting perfect on a first wedding that is as you describe. even if you have to do strait on camera flash for the whole thing.. having the shots vs not having the shots because you are fiddling with all the lighting equipment... eh...

Honestly, that's one of my biggest fears - fiddling with lighting equipment and missing shots. I remember I did a live video of a band at a bar with two cameras, audio recorder, etc. with just me - and it was a little crazy. I hate messing with stuff and just want to shoot.

ksbal wrote in post #17646416
Yes, professionals do use more and can do more... but they have the experience and knowledge of weddings, they are very fast paced, using 2 camera bodys/lenses and all that lighting would be if you had 30-40 weddings under your belt. This is where the K.I.S.S principle will pay off.

Very valid points. I had delusions of multiple speedlites in the ceremony/reception space, alienbee setup outside for family shots, etc. Then I realized I'm one guy without an assistant doing this for little money and no prior wedding experience. I think I might still try two speedlites in the ceremony/reception space, but I'll have a backup plan if they fail.

mike_311 wrote in post #17647120
I'd bring one body with a 24-105 and a speed light on it (eTTL if you have it), bring a second body for backup but dont use it. no need to set up all the additional lighting, leave it home..

I do have a 580EXII with a magsphere (like a gary fong lightsphere). I think I'll be using the 24-105 most of the time - I'm more concerned with getting all the required shots than being super artistic with the 50L and 135L. I'll save the artsy shots for when I have all the time in the world and can pose people.

Thanks both for your help!

mike_311 wrote in post #17647120
I'd bring one body with a 24-105 and a speed light on it (eTTL if you have it), bring a second body for backup but dont use it. no need to set up all the additional lighting, leave it home.

bring the 50L and 135L and swap to them for some posed shots or if you cant get close or use flash and need the wide aperture during the ceremony.

I agree. If you want, you can put the additional speedlights up for some directional light...but I'd lean toward not over-thinking it either. You'd need to use the 622's to have on camera and off camera flash ability.