Tips for 3rd wedding

I just booked my 3rd wedding, YEAH! I'm on cloud nine!

Anyways, the wedding chapel has huge windows all around it kinda like the church inthis picture, and I want to make sure I'm shooting properly to get the best shots I can.
What settings, suggestions, tips, gear would you use. And how should I use my flash?

I will be going to the dinner rehearsal the night before so I'll get some practice then.

thanks in advance!

Melanie

Off camera.

So the windows are behind the alter? And they're clear? And there's a nice view?

I would avoid flash at all costs as they will probably just reflect off the glass. That reflection will also screw with your metering. I would do natural light. Get up around the side and use the light coming through that window onto the couple's faces up at the alter.

The down side is that, shooting up the aisle, you will probably blow out the view out the window in exchange for exposing for the couple. This is where lighting could help to balance the scene, but I would still avoid it owing to reflections.

Possibly, the exposure readings between the outside/window and the couple are close enough that you can be close enough to right on the bright and dark ends and then bring them both back in PP.

What time during the day will it be? If its at night then it could be real pretty, but during the day it could be a lighting nightmare.

Red Tie Photography wrote in post #10373236
What time during the day will it be? If its at night then it could be real pretty, but during the day it could be a lighting nightmare.

It'd be tough at night, too, because that glass will turn into one big mirror after dark.

Peacefield wrote in post #10373058
So the windows are behind the alter? And they're clear? And there's a nice view?

I would avoid flash at all costs as they will probably just reflect off the glass. That reflection will also screw with your metering. I would do natural light. Get up around the side and use the light coming through that window onto the couple's faces up at the alter.

The down side is that, shooting up the aisle, you will probably blow out the view out the window in exchange for exposing for the couple. This is where lighting could help to balance the scene, but I would still avoid it owing to reflections.

Possibly, the exposure readings between the outside/window and the couple are close enough that you can be close enough to right on the bright and dark ends and then bring them both back in PP.

yes the windows are clear and its a beautiful view on an ozark 'mountain' overlooking a lake.
And the wedding is in the evening at 5ish, and I believe it faces the south although I'm not entirely sure about that. So maybe the lighting won't be a horrible nightmare, I've seen pictures where the background and the couple is exposed properly. Hopefully there will be appropriate lighting above them so I won't need flash to expose them as well.

Thanks for the tips so far. If someone has an example with the EXIF data I would REALLY appreciate it.

You will need to either blow out the background, or add light. Adding light I would probably bounce a big strobe or two off the ceiling, but I wouldn't use it all the time, i'd use radio triggers that I could turn off. Get the lights up high, and make sure you can't see their reflection in the glass.

This is the same technique as sunsets - expose for the background, flash for the foreground. The only difference is reflections in the glass.

tim wrote in post #10374778
You will need to either blow out the background, or add light. Adding light I would probably bounce a big strobe or two off the ceiling, but I wouldn't use it all the time, i'd use radio triggers that I could turn off. Get the lights up high, and make sure you can't see their reflection in the glass.

This is the same technique as sunsets - expose for the background, flash for the foreground. The only difference is reflections in the glass.

thanks tim, you always have great advice!
I've always wondered how you positioned off camera flash at a wedding and manage to keep it out of the view of the guests and from getting knocked over?

If it were me, I would avoid flash. With the sun streaming in from the south, pictures shot from the sides looking back at the couple could be stunning. For the ones shooting from the aisle, I'd let the windows blow out for most, but I'd also expose some for the window. The couple may be salvagable in processing. Regardless, I'd think some silouette-type of images of them in front of that big window during the ceremony could be spectacular.

SnapsbyPoteat wrote in post #10374851
thanks tim, you always have great advice!
I've always wondered how you positioned off camera flash at a wedding and manage to keep it out of the view of the guests and from getting knocked over?

I've never had to use flash during a church ceremony. Once in a hotel I used two ABs at the back of the small room, ceiling bounce.

SnapsbyPoteat wrote in post #10374142
If someone has an example with the EXIF data I would REALLY appreciate it.

Unless you have the same gear and will be standing in the same spot as the photo submitted, EXIF info won't do you any good.

And you'd seriously consider using flash during a ceremony? I probably take at least a 100 shots and certainly wouldn't want to mimic an electrical storm.

If the backlight is strong coming through that window then this will be a nightmare.

RT McAllister wrote in post #10375175
If the backlight is strong coming through that window then this will be a nightmare.

thanks for the confidence and encouragement it is really empowering.
That is obviously the reason I asked for advice to try to avoid that.

Seriously, lets stick to practical advice! haha

Peacefield wrote in post #10374926
If it were me, I would avoid flash. With the sun streaming in from the south, pictures shot from the sides looking back at the couple could be stunning. For the ones shooting from the aisle, I'd let the windows blow out for most, but I'd also expose some for the window. The couple may be salvagable in processing. Regardless, I'd think some silouette-type of images of them in front of that big window during the ceremony could be spectacular.

I don't know how strong the sun will be at 5 in the evening probably too low for it to really be 'streaming in.' But I will for sure expose for the window and do some side shots & also silhouettes.