Help!! Fill flash for groups

I am not satisfied with my flash work when I shoot formals on the altar at weddings. I encounter a lot of strong direct overhead lighting on altars when doing formals which causes the raccoon eye effect. I do not have much problem using fill when when I have a couple but seem to have uneven issues when dealing with a sizeable group.

I am shooting with a single shoe mounted 580EX II. I am looking into getting a Westcott Micro Apollo Softbox or a Lumiquest Softbox to fill in these raccoon eyes as putting the flash in fill position without a softner seems to cause uneven results on a large group. I even tried the Lightsphere and do not like the results. Anyone have any comments or advice on this situation?? THANKS!

get another flash. place flash on left and right and feather the shot.

Wescott Micro Apollo works great for providing fill for a group. Have used one with my medium format SLR for wedding coverage since the early 90's with Metz 45 flash. Unfortunately I cannot comment about whether or not a softbox over the 580EXII would be problematic in any way, or not.

craiglee wrote in post #6287209
get another flash. place flash on left and right and feather the shot.

What kind of an angle would you suggest for such a set up? I have the same issues at times.

http://strobist.blogsp​ot.com …peedlight-group-shot.html