Wedding Lav--Wired or wireless?

[swaneon]

Currently this is the equipment I have at my disposal

Marantz 661
Zoom h4n

Sound Devices 302
Avantone CK-1
Rode NTG3

and I can rent up to 4 of these for free
Sony UWP-V1

I'm thinking about just renting the sonys for use in an upcoming wedding on may 5 but after seeing some of how others do it, it makes me ponder if there is a bit alternative.

Originally I was going to:
Put 2 wireless lavs on the groom at different heights (wirelessly) then connect the receivers to the SD 302 then have the marantz record from that.
Then have the avantone record the bride, having that input be connected to the SD 302 and having that be recorded by the marantz.

I've seen some others do it like this:
Use a recorder like the Olympus LS7 and connect a lav to each of the units. Then put the the ls7 + lav on the groom (2 of them at different heights)

Which do you guys think is a better option?

Thank you

 

[Jema]

I think it comes down to one single question: Are you comfortable with the idea of not being able to listen to the lavs if you go with the small recorder option? Some are, because they make thorough tests before the action, and during the latter they can't do anything anyway so they don't feel a need to listen. It also negates any RF problems. Some are not ok with this "set and forget" approach, and want to be able to hear it all. This is, I think, a safer option since things can happen and you might be able to prevent it, and if you use zaxcom wireless you can also record a safety track on it in case of RF noise.

I don't know how much use the avantone will be - I think you wont come close enough.

 

[swaneon]

I'm actually not comfortable at any--I do want to be able to monitor and have clean audio
---how much would a good zaxconn run for 3 wireless?
thanks!

 

[Jema]

---how much would a good zaxconn run for 3 wireless?

Good wireless systems are quite expensive, but they are relatively cheap to rent. You can also look at lectrosonics products. Look up a rental house near where you live and talk to them about putting together a kit.