Best weddingtips for first weddingshoot ?

Within 2 months I will do my first weddingshoot in Autumn, normally with 2 Canon 6D's with a 35 1.4 Art + 70-200 2.8L II

I would love to bring my 16-35 f4L IS with me for a few spectacular shots of the church with the people in it (for example from above),
but you have to be at the right place timed (and better not packed too much with extra lenses).
As it's my first weddingshoot i'd better be present close to the peope, that i'm not making a shot from above in the church and the ring is allready handed over haha

I will follow some youtube courses, are there any well known photographers that have a website with tips ?
For example a classic dayplanning, locations to choose, checklist what not to forget ?

Creativelive has some fantastic courses, some good instructors are Bambi Cantrell, Joe Buissink, Susan stripling and Jasmine star.

Any videos by Jerry Ghionis or Cliff Mautner would be helpful. I've learned a lot from them. I know Jerry has at least a couple of classes on B&H's YouTube channel. KelbyOne has a bunch of wedding tutorials from Cliff, but it's a pay site (excellent learning experience though).

I'm only on wedding #5, so take that into consideration, but I've learned a few important lessons so far. (In no particular order)

1) Wear comfortable shoes. You're going to be on your feet a lot.

2) Get a schedule from the Bride/Planner so you know where to be at what time. That'll help you make a shot list. Google it and you'll find a lot of them.

3) Get there early, or research the venue online, to get an idea what you're in for (lighting, size of the space, shooting locations, etc.) Attend/shoot the rehearsal, if possible. I've shot in a theatre that was huge and on a yacht that was pretty tight, and this research has been very helpful for me. Then I get my game plan together and choose what gear I'll need based on the situation. Once I'm more seasoned I'm sure I'll have to prep a bit less, but I like having a good idea of the environment I'm getting myself into at this point.

4) I LOVE my BlackRapid Double Strap. It lets me carry two bodies securely all day, as comfortably as I can imagine they could be carried. For those times when you only need one camera, it snaps apart quickly to make a single strap.

5) Do your best and have fun. I've been amazed at how many family members have thanked me, hugged me, brought me water bottles, etc. and they haven't seen a single image. That's a nice feeling.

Good luck!

Josh_30 wrote in post #17700102
4) I LOVE my BlackRapid Double Strap. It lets me carry two bodies securely all day, as comfortably as I can imagine they could be carried. For those times when you only need one camera, it snaps apart quickly to make a single strap.

I was using mine for weddings too but now I am not liking it so much. When using it as a double, I cannot crouch. If I crouch, 1 camera will hit the ground. It also swings a lot. Good harnesses if you aren't moving too much. I still love it as a single strap. I am upgrading to the spider holster system soon!

I use a double Black Rapid as well, I have a tip that might help on the crouching and swinging (and back pain )

The cameras really should be hanging at about hip level - if they're halfway down your thigh, they're probably too low. That causes them to swing around a lot, which torques your spine as well.

Also, if they're at hip level they shouldn't be near the ground when you're crouching in a normal crouch. I can crouch down in mine and they're nowhere near touching the ground, even with a speedlight on. And I'm not tall by any means

Hope that's a help - they do tend to lengthen themselves, you need to re-shorten them every once in a while.

Just a thought in case it helps.

Yep, I like to carry mine fairly high on my hip to keep them from swinging (as high as I can get by with and still pull it up to my eye easily). The little bumper locks help a lot of you're going to be walking around quite a bit, or if you're in a situation where you're only using one of the two cameras.

Here are a few tips not mentioned yet.

Take 4 Ibuprofen one hour before you get there. Keep the bottle in your camera bag for later lol. I get a headache and backache at every wedding I shoot.

When you start getting pictures after the ceremony try and get all the ones with the elderly folks done first.

I always ask for a "must have" picture list.

If possible find a second shooter. It will avoid missing some special moments.

Try and make them feel relaxed. If it feels like to much work to them then it is usually the groom who gets tired of having pictures taken and eventually refuses to be in anymore pictures.

Extra batteries for camera and flash.

- I would suggest renting a 28-70 2.8. that way, with both of your bodies youll have the 28-200 range covered.
- expect to answer questions and have confidence in your answers. I find myself being in "charge" a lot of the time and its kind of annoying... but thats how it goes sometimes. Ive had the wedding planners asking me of when pictures should be taken or when will the DJ announce the B&G etc, etc, etc. (I thought it was THEIR job to have the wedding PLANNED out!! hahha)
- Ask for a schedule from the Planner!!! also ask for the "must have" family shots.
- Research must have shots at a wedding (rings, first kiss, entrance, first dance, etc)
- Receptions are usually dark (in my experience at least) so maybe invest (or rent) in a small lighting setup. I get great results with 2 Off camera flashes (triggered with Cybesyncs) and 1 on camera.
- If you're like me, you are your worst critic. Just remember you'll get better the more weddings you do. Watch wedding photography videos, get exited and go have fun!.
Good Luck!

tony rage wrote in post #17700273
I find myself being in "charge" a lot of the time and its kind of annoying... but thats how it goes sometimes. Ive had the wedding planners asking me of when pictures should be taken or when will the DJ announce the B&G etc, etc, etc.

^^^ Every second wedding

Jon Tinkler wrote in post #17701647
^^^ Every second wedding

Every wedding here

All part of the service and not annoying in the slightest IMHO

BlakeC wrote in post #17700108
I was using mine for weddings too but now I am not liking it so much. When using it as a double, I cannot crouch. If I crouch, 1 camera will hit the ground. It also swings a lot. Good harnesses if you aren't moving too much. I still love it as a single strap. I am upgrading to the spider holster system soon!

Thanks for this review. I had that feeling. I don't use any straps at all and rely on the increased surface area that a battery grip adds. I keep my second camera in a small shoulder bag and will likely stick with this system.

A lot of great tips above, I would recommend buying or renting a flash and learning how to bounce it and use it effectively. It is a really important piece of lighting equipment to have.

Yeah I shouldn't have said I find it annoying - just adds to the many balls that are in the air at times. All part of the gig though, as you say.