A couple quick questions to you knowledgable pros-
1. Out of curiosity, before the ceremony, do you do the guys pics first, or the girls?
2. The last 2 weddings I've had I've run into problems with the blazing sun. The B and G both really wanted outside pics but the sun was so bright that people are squinting bad. Also, the only shade is a couple small trees that only provide the spotty kind of shade. Both of the pics for these 2 weds were around noontime of course. I'd rather stick them in the sun because that shade is pointless. But even in that bright sun, squinting aside, are a couple speedlights enough to decrease the shadows to a reasonable level or would a studio strobe be better? I'm debating on whether to get a vagabond as well for my ab800.
3. On average, how many different shots/ poses do you get of the whole bridal party?

Thanks!

I guess I'll weigh in on this.

1. Haven't really given this much thought, but statistically I'd say I've done girls first. Generally I just go with the flow, and usually it doesn't matter who's first.

2. In the bright sun, have the group face away from the sun to minimize/eliminate squinting. Light with flash. On camera, you're probably going to want to increase the FEC, off cam, speedlights will work, AB 800 will work better.

3. Again, not something I concentrate on, but generally somewhere between 2 and 10, depending on their mood and time constraints.

Use the sun to backlight them... it's much more effective and the spotty sunlight isn't a problem.

ken

1. Guys first if, when I photograph the girls, I have a good place to do it besides the church nursery or the like. Otherwise, girls first, so I have a good place and can get them inside so guests don't see them.

2. Sun on the subjects' backs, fill the front with flash. Most top of the line shoemounts can fill against bright sun if you stay within about 10 feet (for group shots/wider angles) and can handle longer subject distances for teles. It can look better if you use off camera directional light, although these don't have to be studio type flashes. If the sun is truly overhead, and you can't even get the front of subjects in even shade, best to just fill the eye sockets, etc., and make an effort to keep the tips of noses out of the sun by having subjects tip the head down somewhat. Avoid dappled sun like the plague. The only way to deal with these is to overcome them via exposure, and then you are left with very 'flashy' looking shots that begin to look like you took them at night. Might be OK for artistic effect, but not for the kind of shots the couple is probably looking for.

3. Basic wedding party shots that are different from each other are about 3-4. This is during the time after the ceremony. With more time and another location, I might do others.

Thanks guys- I really appreciate the comments. I've always done the girls first because I figured they wouldn't mind waiting around til the ceremony starts while I shoot the guys. But now I'm wondering if it isn't better to start with the guys so the girls have more time to get ready. Hmmm...