Best camera/lens combo for those "coming down the aisle" shots

I shoot weddings occasionally, and I wrestle with this every time. I have 2 bodies that I'll be using for this next wedding, a 1DX (full frame) and a 1D4 (1.3 crop). I have a pretty nice assortment of lenses to choose from...some better in low light...others that focus faster on a moving target. This wedding will be in a small, relatively dark chapel, and I don't know yet if flash photography will be allowed. If I assume it IS allowed, I was thinking about maybe putting the 24-70 f2.8 II on the 1D4 with a 580EX flash and the 85L on the 1DX with no flash...or maybe the 70-200 f2.8 II on the 1DX because it focuses faster. Once the ceremony starts, it's easier because I have stationary subjects to shoot, and I can decide based on whether I can use flash or not and where I need to stand. I'm curious what others have found to be the best combo for those coming down the aisle shots, with or without a flash. Thanks.

70-200 on one camera, 24-70 on the other is my preferred combo.

jcolman wrote in post #17646398
70-200 on one camera, 24-70 on the other is my preferred combo.

Same for me. Although sometimes I'll use my 24mm prime if it's really dark.

I heard back from her that flash is allowed in the chapel. Would you put a flash on both bodies or just one?

I'd put them on both bodies as opposed to being stuck with wanting to use the other body and then finding out later after the critical moment has passed that you needed flash.

When the bride is coming down the aisle I'll have a 135 F2, 85 F1.4, 50 F0.95 and 16-35 F2.8 on four different bodies. The 135 and 50 being on a Sony A7 and A7R respectively (being manually focused).

35mm + 85mm (2 x canon 5d mark3s)

Like anything in photography, it's impossible to tell what you need exactly for any situation without knowing the characteristics and attributes specific to that situation.

In general terms it is unlikely to have a situation where a Prime and high ISO is incapable of exposing appropriately, however situations still arise where motion blur and misfocus ruin the photo. Additionally, situations arise where the photo just isn't up to standard from a lighting perspective.

Therefore the bigger issue is not "what gear to use" but:
1A: Is the lighting quality and quantity adequate? How can we change the lighting (e.g. can we turn on or off lights?)
1B: Do we need flash? Will the flash
2: Have we communicated with the Bride and Bridesmaids to walk slowly down the aisle, heads held high, not staring at their feet running down the aisle
3: have we done any test photos before the Bridal party actually walk down the aisle. This may involve asking an Assistant or Groomsmen to do a test run as your model
4: Given the exisiting lighting situation, is our gear capable of focusing fast enough and flash recharging fast enough to capture the test person in (3) walking fast down the aisle? If not how will we change things or slow things down?

Considering those questions is far more important than the gear per se - the gear is the response to the above, not the driving factor.

vanmidd wrote in post #17649830
35mm + 85mm (2 x canon 5d mark3s)

My usual setup as well. If I have a longer aisle I might use a 135L instead of the 85L. If it's a short aisle I may swap the 35L for the 24L. All of those shots are done using continuous focus as well.

Usually 70-200 and 24-70, but sometimes 24-70 and 16-35. Depends how big the church is.

Depends on how long the aisle is, but generally I like a longer lens (I shoot crop and use a 50-150mm). If I position myself in the aisle closer to the groom, I can get the bride coming in AND the grooms reaction. I'd have a tough time doing this with a prime or anything on the wider side.

If it's a very big church:

camera 1: 200mm F2 IS

camera 2: 85mm F1.2

camera 3: 35mm F1.4 (thinking of replacing this with the new 24-35 F2.0, just for this segment)

If it's a small church or a civil wedding:

camera 1: 85mm F1.2

camera 2: 35mm F1.4

camera 3: 15-30 F2.8 VC

For aisle shots I occasionally have a 16-35 on one body and 50mm on the other. Unless I'm not allowed near the center then I go for a 70-200 and a two step ladder for a little height lol.