Can I add: if possible, be there for the rehearsal. Hopefully, it will be near the time of the ceremony the next day (and pray that the weather forecast is the same for both days!).

Bring a hand held light meter and measure your exposures for each location that you intend to shoot from.

The reason that I say this is this: The very first wedding that I shot solo was at 4:00 in the afternoon on August 8th. The alter faced due west with a 20 ft x40 ft glass wall behind it. Had I relied upon camera exposure, I'd have been extremely underexposed on the subject. To complicate matters, only the bride was in white. The entire bridal party was dressed in black.

Initially: the officiant decreed that no flash during the ceremony and the photographer had to be out of sight during the ceremony. The pastor had a fabulous wedding assistant that had plant removed from the alter that would have impeded photographing from certain angles, left things unbalanced, etc.

He eventually let me shoot during the ceremony from the "wings" in order to allow me to get shots of the sand ceremony, placing of the rings and other intimate portions that only occur IF you're able to see the couple's faces.

He later told me that I was the only photographer that had gotten properly exposed photos from his alter. It was only because: A: I was there for the rehearsal, taking manual light meter readings and B: I left notes of my settings at each shooting location (I believe that I forgot to mention that earlier. I had 3 locations that I shot from, with notes on the floor of my manual settings).

Additionally, I had a camera on a tripod in the choir loft for my VERY inexperienced wife to shoot for the "First Kiss" The Bride loved that shot!

Here's the link to my original post: https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-330468-1.html

You will do just fine! it's all a matterof timing. As an example, sometimes in a chur or another venue, there are a lot of balconies. Durnhg man religious and civil services there is a time when the officiant will offer some kind of sermon or similar speech that is not during one of the key highlights like ring exchanges, blessings, their rituals or the final kiss and recessional. So, during that recitation, I dart (that's enthusiasm for dragging my old bones) up to the elevated place and make a few quick shots. I may place another camera on a trip up there in advance. Anotere use of those lofts is the place for an of the camera flash to employ during the festivities.

Attaced is some lighting ideas. Notice the high shooting angles on the dance floor and the position ofhte lig in the various diagrams. A small platform type stepladder is my friend.

You have done it before so now you are gonna do it again.

You have made the preparations and all your gear is good to go.

I usually work with an assistant but not necessarily a second shooter. Since I usually employ multiple flashes, even on many of the candid shots, my assistant is my mobile light stand and he or she can anticipate my shots and place the light quickly and accordingly. On a smaller job, I sometimes work solo and place a few lights around the venue on stationary stands.

If you are not using multiple lights or only on limited shots such as the formals, your yet untrained assistant can just be a helpful extra set of hands. You can't fully train someone in a few hours and "laying down the law" is not the best approach. I like to think that most folks who volunteer want to be helpful, creative and have the intelligence to do so. In a case like yours, on this job, I would assume that I am gonna do just about every myself and any additional help will be appreciated.

On a small or medium size wedding in a barn (a nice informal venue), you do not need a second shooter to make hundreds of useless images. You know how to be at the right place at the right time to catch all of the action. Being able to anticipate the action is the trick that comes with your experience.

On a solo shoot, my approach is easy. You can not be in two places at the same time so the client has to help you apportion your time. If the couple will NOT see each other before the ceremony, be sure to get in early and arrange to shoot the bride, here folks and the female bridal party BEFORE the ceremony- shoot her portraits at that time. This means you will need to assemble that gang about an hour and a half before the ceremony. If there is time, shoot the groom, his folks and guys in advance. If they are all on-site, you can pull that off.

IF HOWEVER, the couple will get together before the ceremony, I gather the enter group 3 hours before the ceremony and shoot all of the formals and preparation shots, then I can be free to short all of the photojournalistic shots without bothering anyone or causing any delays. If I can secure this kind of cooperation it is great, everyone is fresh and sober before the ceremony and in exchange, they get 100% free celebration time.

Otherwise, you will need an interlude just after the ceremony, before the reception or party to shoot the combined portraits and groups- perhaps an hour.

You needn't worry about your one-time assistant but you have to work out a strict schedule with the bride, groom and their bridal party and parents etc. As you know, once a wedding gets going, there is a trajectory. If there's not a set plan as to when some form shots and groups can be done, you will end up running around the place like a headless chicken all day!

This all assumes the clients do want some formal or casual formals. If they want complete photojournalistic coverage, that's OK but I usually advise my clients against that. I explain that elegant and flattering images do not materialize by magic and I need THEIR cooperation. I also promise, if I am free to concentrate on the photojournalistic part of the coverage, I will deliver many strictly unposed, candid, fun, and impromptu shots.

Shoot lots, shoot fast, and shoot carefully!