Short answer: You need a fast 35mm lens to photograph weddings.
Detailed answer: Using various focal lengths on the wedding day is generally sensible, as different subjects require different lenses. However, you could have photographed a wedding, from getting dressed to the party, with just a 35mm lens.
The question is, should we use a few or many different lenses? And which ones? A 35mm, a 50mm, and an 85mm are good choices at weddings. This is a little, but let us explain why.
Why Fewer Lenses Make Sense
If you need to catch up on the wedding day, thinking about which lens is the right for different moments, you’re not fully present and might miss moments. Whether you capture the moment of the bride’s mother hugging her daughter with a 35, 50, or 85mm doesn’t matter. Frequently changing lenses risks missing special moments.
Using one focal length automatically improves your utilization of it. You learn to make the most of what you have.
Creativity comes from having a variety of selections rather than limiting your choices.
Why the 35mm?
If we had to choose one lens for the wedding day, a 35mm f/1.4 seems most practical. This focal length allows us to cover a broad spectrum of what needs to be photographed on the wedding day: getting dressed, the details, the ceremony, group photos, portraits, and the party. Everything is well captured with 35mm, and you will also be fine in tight spaces.
What You Should Know
Photographing weddings with a 35mm camera requires being close to the action. Otherwise, there’s a risk that the photos will become trivial. The photo might have too much, making the main subject unclear. Too much information in the image without a clear message can confuse the viewer.
A wide-angle lens allows you to show the foreground and background and tell stories on multiple levels. For example, the bridal couple is hugging in the foreground, with the bride’s mother visible in the background. With longer focal lengths, depicting different levels becomes more difficult.
What About an 85mm?
An 85mm is excellent for portraits but less so in tight spaces. It also tends to show one layer in the photo, making it great for portraits to unmistakably direct the viewer’s gaze toward the couple.
Conclusion
There’s hardly anything on the wedding day that you can’t capture with a 35mm. The key is to be close enough. Moreover, your 35mm should be fast; we recommend f/1.4.
You should always go to a wedding with more than one lens. You need a small selection and a backup. Weddings are too essential to show up with more than one lens.
