Best Lens for Wedding Photography

What is the best lens for wedding photography?

If you are searching this term you may have read several different opinions from photographers of varying degrees of experience, different brand loyalties, and from different regions. You’re getting different answers because there is not one correct answer even from two photographers with similar styles in the same city. The answer lies with you personally. However, there are some basic guidelines you can start out with and iterate from there based on your own feelings.

Here is how I started:

35mm f1.4
85mm f1.8 (whatever the brand, f numbers may vary a little)

The combination of these two prime lenses has been around for decades. It is not perfect but it is simple and excellent and can carry you through to being a full time pro. You can get older versions of 35 & 85 prime lenses at extremely affordable prices while still being able to make professional images. I have a Canon 35mm f1.4 that was released in 1999 and a Canon 85mm f1.8 that was released in 1993. They work GREAT!

Alternatively:

24mm f1.4
50mm f1.4 (or f1.2)
135mm f2

If I was starting again I would lean towards these three prime lenses because about 7 years into being a wedding photographer I discovered I love 50mm for portraits rather than 85mm but having 3 lenses complicates the workflow a little. I used this combination in the 2022-2024 seasons.

Where I am now:

Canon EF 16-35mm f2.8 ii (quite light, relatively cheap and great for dancefloors)
Canon RF 24-70mm f2.8 (quite expensive but sharp, consistent, and high quality)
Canon RF 50mm f1.2 (bulky and beautiful at 1.2)
Canon EF 135mm f2 (old, cheap, and excellent)
plus 24mm f1.4, 35mm f1.4, 85 f1.8 as a backup

In 2024 I began to change things a little. I found myself shooting closer to f2.8 throughout the day unless it was the portrait session or in a very dark space. So the 24-70 became a staple that simplified what I was carrying for much of the day. I will still use the 50 1.2 in dark spaces and for portraits. The 135 for when I cant get close and the 16-35 is pretty much reserved for dancefloors unless I’m in a compact space or want a really wide room shot. It’s taken me years of bouncing around but this is a combo that is working well for me at the moment. So it’s 4 main lenses that have roles in different parts of the day and 3 backup lenses that I love and keep around incase I break something else.

Another alternative:

16-35 f2.8,
24-70 f2.8,
70-200 f2.8

This trinity of professional lenses has been around for a very long time. There are older versions of it that are far cheaper and can still legitimately produce professional images. You may not have the extra stop or two of light that prime lenses will give you but photographing at wide apertures may not be your thing or maybe you lean towards using flash or higher ISO. The choice is yours.

If it suits your style you may want to add:

50mm f1.2 or 85mm f1.2 (or similar portrait lens)
100mm Macro (for super close ups of details)

Ultimately you will only find out what you need, want, or like to use with trial and error. I have had (and still do sometimes) gear acquisition syndrome (also known as GAS) and as a result have lots of lenses that don’t get heavily used and have sold many others that I just didn’t like or use.

One last piece of advice:

When you are researching gear for wedding photography, take everyones opinion with a pinch of salt. Including mine! A 70-200 f2.8 may be a must have for a photographer who says they stand back and photograph from a distance because they dont want to be intrusive and it’s not about them. Another photographer may say its all about the connection with the couple and getting close to the action and the 70-200 doesn’t play a big part in what they do. For me, being closer is a better way of conveying the emotions of the day and that feeling of being there. People seem to forget I’m there and relax more than when I use long lenses. As a result, my images have more energy. But that’s not to say it’s better. Longer lenses have a more voyeristic feel and often a cleaner more polished look.

So what is the best lens for wedding photography? Well… the one that works best for you. The one that you can afford. The one that allows you to get the job done to the best of your ability. You are the only one that can answer that question.