My first wedding

[disrepleasures]

Hey all, i am shooting my cousins wedding this weekend and it is the first wedding i have ever done. I will be shooting with a sony vx2100 and only be using the one camera. Does anyone have some tips on the best way to handle such a stressful shoot with only one camera?

thanks

 

[cecil995]

with one cam.....make sure you shoot from the back of the church up the center isle, its the best angle to get most of the shots. I am not sure if the vx2100 has an external mic, but if it does I would try and get some kind of wireless lav for the groom, otherwise you will not be able to hear the vows.

 

[danmckinney]

2 or more is always better

2 or more is always better

If you have access use more than one camera than USE IT and just set it up unmaned, at least you'll have a cutaway shot if you miss something. The static camera can be set up in the back zoomed in on all the action giving you another angle. I have also set up a static camera at the end of the isle capturing the bride and groom as they leave the church walking down the isle, this way you are sure to get their faces.

 

[David Regan]

Yeah I'd really suggest looking around for another camera it helps alot. I just put one unmaned on a tripod as Dan said focusing on the bride, with the groom and priest in shot if possible. Then I get a variety of other shots with the other camera handheld.
If you are only going to use 1 camera however, looking down the aisle towards the doors might work, but check what kind of service it is. I was actually taping a Catholic wedding today, and they faced away from the audience almost the entire time, so check how they plan to be positioned.
Hopefully they will be facing the audience, then you can face the doors as they come in, on the side of the aisle, and pan with them as they walk past, and then look at them from the aisle for the whole ceremony. Then as they leave you can maybe just pick up the camera, tripod and all and walk backwards with them towards the door, or just pan again and watch them leave from behind.
Just one option, there is no 'right' way to do it, but that is one way that should be save. The most important part is the vows, I don't know if you plan to use the entire ceremony or do a montage, but just make sure when the vows happen you have a shot of the bride and groom and hold it. (Also try and be close enough for audio to pick up their vows)
Good Luck!