[F11]

Hi there Soodge - quite a dauntingy task if you are to be the main photographer. I went as the alternative photographer to a wedding last Sep. I decided on that day to take two cameras with me for two reasons, firstly just in case one gave up on the day which would be your worst nightmare and also so I didn't have to keep changing lens on the one camera, for which also I wouldn't have had time to do for fear of losing the moment. Inside the church I used a 50mm 1.4 prime lens which enables you to get good results without using a flash (mainly when the guests arrived) and I also had a 135 prime lens with an extender attached for the shots I took when I was at the back of the church. (I didn't encroach on the main photographer who remained at the front of the church). This is also a very fast lens but you do lose 1 f stop by attaching the extender. As regards to tricky clients, this is a difficult one and every situation is different - try to be assertive but not in a bossy way and don't lose your rag because of one difficult person perhaps and remain calm and friendly. Watch out for your backgrounds as you position groups of people after the ceremony and avoid if possible areas where there are lots of shadows and protruding objects. When I took my shots outside of the church I changed the lens again on one of the cameras to a 24-105 L series standard and continued to use the 135 again outside. Having the two cameras saved me loads of stress, in that I wasn't wasting loads of time continually changing the lens. Also Soodge, try to take some other images which wouldn't necessarily come to mind on the day. Look for things in the church, like pews with flowers attached and simple everyday objects that are part of the whole day. Just two hands showing the rings is also very effective. Good luck and if I knew where the wedding was I'd come as your alternative photographer...