My First Wedding

[grotty]

I'm covering my first wedding at the end of May, I'm excited and a little anxious about it, naturally. The background is that the bride is a friend of my wife - I know her too but not that well. She knows my photography and likes my style and requested that I shoot the wedding, despite knowing that I'd never shot one before. I am charging a fee, which while relatively modest, it's not peanuts by any means. I've recently been to the venue with the bride to have a look around which I think was a good idea to make me feel a little more at ease and find some nice areas for the B&G portraits.

Coverage is due to start in the morning with the prep, with her bridesmaids (who I also know) and will officially finish at the first dance, though I may still shoot a bit after that. The bride knows I usually take 'natural' shots and wants only a handful of 'family' posed shots to placate her mother, the majority will be 'documentary' style, except I will of course take B&G portraits.

I think I'm covered equipment-wise: I have two identical bodies, a fast 35mm, 85mm, 50mm (the first two will be on a body each most of the time I'm envisaging). I also have a 100mm macro and if I need it I have a 28-75 2.8 and a 17-35 2.8-4. I have plenty of memory cards (dual slot bodies) and a spare battery for each body. I won't be using flash.

I haven't literally made a list if the 'must have' shots, but I am considering it - advisable?

I think my biggest worries are missing crucial shots, the posed family shots, and making sure I deliver something that they'll love.

All words of advice are welcome from those willing and in the know. Thanks.

 

[Phil V]

I suppose it'd be rude not to
You appear to have had all the important discussions with the B&G and the appropriate backup kit. So all that's good.
The key is being familiar enough with your gear so that you've only got 'the wedding' to think about. Don't worry about missing stuff, it's not a points based system, keep your eyes and ears open looking for stuff happening.

Keep the light in the right place. try for the groups in open shade, if you can't get them in open shade get their backs to the sun.

No flashgun? How are you planning to shoot the first dance and the party later? That strikes me as an exercise in futility. I'd definitely rethink that.

 

[shreds]

I haven't literally made a list if the 'must have' shots, but I am considering it - advisable?

All words of advice are welcome from those willing and in the know. Thanks.

Yeah, a little pocket book the size of an iPhone to fit in your pocket with clear list of shots required by couple, brides mother etc and also other important stuff like timings, postcodes of venues, directions etc important names including hotel etc and phone numbers you might need in an emergency.

But switch your phone off once you are underway!

 

[grotty]

No flashgun? How are you planning to shoot the first dance and the party later? That strikes me as an exercise in futility. I'd definitely rethink that.

Thanks Phil, most of what you say I had in mind, but it's good to hear others confirm. Regarding the flash, I had hoped to manage without as a) I don't own one and therefore b) I'm not confident using one. I'd hoped my high ISO capable bodies and fast lenses could be sufficient - any chance or am I inevitably going to have to use flash?

 

[Phil V]

Thanks Phil, most of what you say I had in mind, but it's good to hear others confirm. Regarding the flash, I had hoped to manage without as a) I don't own one and therefore b) I'm not confident using one. I'd hoped my high ISO capable bodies and fast lenses could be sufficient - any chance or am I inevitably going to have to use flash?

You might get lucky and there's enough light for the first dance (is there video?)

But generally the room is purposely dark at that point in May Sunset at 8-00 8.30, first dance usually sometime between 8.30 and 9, with only disco lights? not much hope honestly.

 

[grotty]

Yes, I guess it'd be foolish to totally mess that shot. Would you say I could get away with a built in flash in that situation (very dark/disco lights), or am I going to have to cough up?...

 

[shreds]

Joe,

Dont even begin to imagine that a built in flash is good enough for such an occasion unless it is for triggering other flashguns (which clearly it isn't. )

You will really screw up your shots and reputation by trying to use that. Red eye, shockingly harsh light etc etc. Better to decline to do the indoor parts, than to try and use built in flash.

 

[grotty]

Joe,

Dont even begin to imagine that a built in flash is good enough for such an occasion unless it is for triggering other flashguns (which clearly it isn't. )

You will really screw up your shots and reputation by trying to use that. Red eye, shockingly harsh light etc etc. Better to decline to do the indoor parts, than to try and use built in flash.

I'm not planning to use flash for regular indoor, artificial light shots - I know I can get results with my kit in those situations. It's just the first dance I am deliberating.

Edit: I'm guessing a half decent flashgun with a diffuser will be sufficient for first dance?

 

[Serendipitous Sid]

Is this church and then on to a venue, register office then venue, or all in one at a venue?

Any idea of the expected total turnout on the day?

BTW, ref your pondering on first dance snaps, we shot well over 400 weddings, did dance pix at all bar maybe 20, and never used anything but a Canon 550EX on-camera.

 

[shreds]

Dancefloor....what size?

How far are the couple going to be from you? You can't be entirely on the dance floor with them. They are going to be moving too.

What is the rating of your proposed flashgun and hence its range? The Canon 550EX is not a built in flash, and likely more powerful?

What is a 'half decent flashgun', never seen one myself?

 

[grotty]

Is this church and then on to a venue, register office then venue, or all in one at a venue?

Any idea of the expected total turnout on the day?

BTW, ref your pondering on first dance snaps, we shot well over 400 weddings, did dance pix at all bar maybe 20, and never used anything but a Canon 550EX on-camera.

This is all at one venue - a hotel in Cambridge. I think there are 70 guests for the day, a fair number are children.

Good news about the flash, thanks. Best I start looking and practising.

 

[grotty]

Dancefloor....what size?

How far are the couple going to be from you? You can't be entirely on the dance floor with them. They are going to be moving too.

What is the rating of your proposed flashgun and hence its range? The Canon 550EX is not a built in flash, and likely more powerful?

What is a 'half decent flashgun', never seen one myself?

It's not a huge venue - not sure how I can know exact distance to couple in advance.

By 'half decent', I mean a peg or two down from the top of the line, perhaps a generation old - does that make sense now?

 

[Phil V]

I'm not planning to use flash for regular indoor, artificial light shots - I know I can get results with my kit in those situations. It's just the first dance I am deliberating.

Edit: I'm guessing a half decent flashgun with a diffuser will be sufficient for first dance?

Forget the diffuser. They're largely a waste (generalism, I've done tests and I know it's not that simple).

Bouncing a flash off walls, reflectors, ceilings etc is a much better light and a much better use of the flash power.

If you want new, a Yongnuo YN568 is all the flash you'll ever need, a Canon 550ex has all the features, but when you use it hard the recycle time is crap, so you'd want an external battery pack.

Hope that helps.

You will also need it for any 'dancing' shots and probably everything in the evening. Your camera is OK in domestic lighting, but the reception won't have the 'lights on', it's darkened like a nightclub.

 

[UaeExile]

Personally I'd go with the 35/85 combo for most of the day. It's good you've got the two bodies because the last event I shot I only had one (although I had a spare in the car, but a different system). It was a pain in the arse chopping and changing all night.

You 100% need a flash. Again, the last event I did I would have been goosed without one.... When I say goosed, I mean not one usable shot! That's with a D750 that sees in he dark and a 1.4 lens.

I picked up a relatively cheap Yongnuo and it didn't skip a beat!

 

[grotty]

Forget the diffuser. They're largely a waste (generalism, I've done tests and I know it's not that simple).

Bouncing a flash off walls, reflectors, ceilings etc is a much better light and a much better use of the flash power.

If you want new, a Yongnuo YN568 is all the flash you'll ever need, a Canon 550ex has all the features, but when you use it hard the recycle time is crap, so you'd want an external battery pack.

Hope that helps.

You will also need it for any 'dancing' shots and probably everything in the evening. Your camera is OK in domestic lighting, but the reception won't have the 'lights on', it's darkened like a nightclub.

Thanks. Yes, I know there'll be close to no lighting once the music starts...I'll investigate the Yongnuo (I'm using Nikon, by the way).

Personally I'd go with the 35/85 combo for most of the day. It's good you've got the two bodies because the last event I shot I only had one (although I had a spare in the car, but a different system). It was a pain in the arse chopping and changing all night.

You 100% need a flash. Again, the last event I did I would have been goosed without one.... When I say goosed, I mean not one usable shot! That's with a D750 that sees in he dark and a 1.4 lens.

I picked up a relatively cheap Yongnuo and it didn't skip a beat!

Thanks for your input - I'm also shooting with D750 with f1.4-1.8 lenses. Is your flash the model that Phil mentions?

 

[UaeExile]

Thanks. Yes, I know there'll be close to no lighting once the music starts...I'll investigate the Yongnuo (I'm using Nikon, by the way).



Thanks for your input - I'm also shooting with D750 with f1.4-1.8 lenses. Is your flash the model that Phil mentions?

Similar. Mine is the Yongnuo 565EX... I think the main difference is that the 568 has high speed sync.

 

[Serendipitous Sid]

... Canon 550ex has all the features, but when you use it hard the recycle time is crap, so you'd want an external battery pack.

Funny you should say that, Phil. We each schlepped a Turbo round plugged into ours for the first few years, until some kind soul pointed out that unless you're using full power all the time, they recycle PDQ when you use NiMH rechargeables. Worked for us

Anyhow Joe, at least with it being all in one, you don't have to worry about logistics - assuming that prep's going to be there too. Personally I wouldn't get hung up about flash. I'd be more concerned about having both a Plan B and a Plan C for the formals/groups to cover all eventualities (e.g. when it hisses down outside and the room that you were going to use for Plan B is out of bounds on the day because it's being decorated).

Be prepared for a bit of a flap at prep when the slap artist turns up late and it all gets a bit rushed. Have good think about how you hope to shoot the ceremony, and ffs remember that what the registrar says, goes. Remember too that thou shalt not argue, and neither shalt thou believe what the bride tells beforehand you about snaps during the ceremony being no problem.

Regarding missing "crucial shots", remember that all you can do for the couple is your best. You're not a full-time pro wedding snapper so it's not TEOTW if you miss a kiss or a ring exchange or whatever. You'd probably be surprised how often brides never notice what's actually missing from their coverage

Keep hydrated, pee when you can, and have something to eat with you in case the meal you were promised doesn't happen.

BTW, regarding shreds' query about the size of the dance floor, there are two ex-snappers here now wondering why we never once needed to know that in 10 years of weddings, and how much better our snaps might have been if we had ...

 

[grotty]

Funny you should say that, Phil. We each schlepped a Turbo round plugged into ours for the first few years, until some kind soul pointed out that unless you're using full power all the time, they recycle PDQ when you use NiMH rechargeables. Worked for us

Anyhow Joe, at least with it being all in one, you don't have to worry about logistics - assuming that prep's going to be there too. Personally I wouldn't get hung up about flash. I'd be more concerned about having both a Plan B and a Plan C for the formals/groups to cover all eventualities (e.g. when it hisses down outside and the room that you were going to use for Plan B is out of bounds on the day because it's being decorated).

Be prepared for a bit of a flap at prep when the slap artist turns up late and it all gets a bit rushed. Have good think about how you hope to shoot the ceremony, and ffs remember that what the registrar says, goes. Remember too that thou shalt not argue, and neither shalt thou believe what the bride tells beforehand you about snaps during the ceremony being no problem.

Regarding missing "crucial shots", remember that all you can do for the couple is your best. You're not a full-time pro wedding snapper so it's not TEOTW if you miss a kiss or a ring exchange or whatever. You'd probably be surprised how often brides never notice what's actually missing from their coverage

Keep hydrated, pee when you can, and have something to eat with you in case the meal you were promised doesn't happen.

BTW, regarding shreds' query about the size of the dance floor, there are two ex-snappers here now wondering why we never once needed to know that in 10 years of weddings, and how much better our snaps might have been if we had ...

Thanks for that Dan. Yes prep is at the same venue too, so as you say, logistics is not an issue (thankfully). There is a pergola type structure there where the ceremony will be taking place, which is my plan B for bad weather group shots (of which there are few) - I've not managed a plan C, yet. I've mentioned to the bride to ask her bridesmaids to bring umbrellas so that I can still get some outdoor shots should it rain.

You're right about the missed shots - the more one frets the more likely to fluff. The bride is subtly 'quirky' too, so I am looking forward to the whole experience.

I am fully prepared to bow to the registrar, though would you suggest trying to make contact in advance, or speak with them on the day? I thought I'd speak with them on the day, but perhaps that should be done further in advance. I know that I've definitely got a space at a table for the wedding breakfast - my wife and children will also be there (which is going to be quite tough).

 

[Phil V]

Funny you should say that, Phil. We each schlepped a Turbo round plugged into ours for the first few years, until some kind soul pointed out that unless you're using full power all the time, they recycle PDQ when you use NiMH rechargeables. Worked for us
...

The newer flashguns are soooo much better at recycling that I formally retired my 550ex last year.

Actually - ignore my previous flashgun recommendation. If I was starting tomorrow I'd buy a YN600ex-rt. Should you then get into off camera flash you won't have two sets of batteries to look after.

 

[Serendipitous Sid]

... would you suggest trying to make contact in advance, or speak with them on the day?

It'll be a total waste of time doing anything other than speaking on the day to the registrars, simply because they may well have their own agenda where snappers are concerned, especially if the last one they had to deal with got up their noses. I always introduced myself as the snapper, said I wasn't into using flash, moving about lots or trying to turn the ceremony into a photoshoot so what's the rules? The reply will inevitably include what you can do about the signing, and how you go from there is up to you. See my posts in this thread

Ref the meal arrangements, it might be worth your while seeing if you can persuade the bride to seat you so that you can get a few decent shots of the top table whilst seated. If nothing else, that could give you a viewpoint for speeches snaps without you being concerned about being intrusive. (One of my standard tricks was to grab a shot or two from the seat of anybody who nipped out to the bog during the meal or speeches.)

 

[grotty]

Wedding happened on Sunday, and it went ok. I did get some nice shots, but not many that I'm really happy with and I felt that I missed some opportunities, cocked up some framing etc. I also 'bottled out' a bit on my usual style for fear of f**king up. Here's one that both I and the couple like, though I am aware of some flaws (bride's random finger, arm a bit odd looking).

Thanks again though, for your help @Phil V and @Serendipitous Sid - it was very much appreciated.