The Best Canon RF Lenses for Wedding Photography

It doesn't matter if you are a professional photographer who has been hired by a happy couple to take photographs of their wedding ceremony, or you are a family member or friend who has been asked to take some photos as a favour, wedding photography is an important and somewhat daunting task.

You've got your Canon mirrorless camera ready, your battery charged up, and have honed your portrait photography skills just for the big day, but which Canon RF lenses do you pack in your camera bag and which ones do you leave at home? Let's get to the bottom of which Canon RF lenses are the best lenses for wedding photography.

Once considered the standard for general-purpose photography, there's just something about a 50mm prime lens that helps photographers capture brilliant images in a range of scenarios, including wedding photography. On a full-frame camera, such as those in the Canon EOS R mirrorless range, the 50mm perspective is natural and inviting, thanks to being close to what the human eye sees. If you are used to using a zoom lens, this 50mm Canon RF lens is a great entry into the world of prime lenses, and the one with the smallest learning curve.

The Canon RF 50mm f1.2 L USM is a fine example of a 50mm lens, combining the classic focal length with an ultra-bright f1.2 maximum aperture; this means your wedding portraits will have beautiful background bokeh. It includes fast and quiet focus so you can lock onto subjects and not cause a ruckus during the proceedings, and it includes a premium L-series optical design for consistent image sharpness.

Top Tip: Looking for a budget-friendly way to see what a 50mm can do? Check out the Canon RF 50mm f1.8 STM lens.

Another Canon RF prime lens on our list, the 85mm focal length is favoured by all types of portrait photographers as it delivers a more magnified perspective that is known to be flattering on features. This longer focal length will also help you achieve a tighter crop of specific details, such as the wedding rings as they are being placed on fingers, without you having to get too close physically and risk wearing out your welcome.

The Canon RF 85mm f1.2 L USM pairs a high-quality L-series optical design with a rugged weather-sealed build, so the lens can be trusted to perform consistently in both indoor and outdoor environments. The lens includes a customisable control ring so it can adjust key settings in your workflow, as you see fit, while the maximum aperture of f1.2 pairs with the longer focal length to produce stunningly shallow depths of fields - It is one of the best Canon lenses for bokeh.

A standard zoom lens, such as this Canon RF 24-70mm f2.8 L IS USM zoom lens, is great for capturing a variety of wedding photographs, including wide-scoping shots of the scenery, group shots of guests, and close-ups of the happy couple, without ever having to pause to change lenses. By implementing such a versatile approach, you are left with one less decision to make as you navigate the wedding ceremony, and you can focus on framing the best shots possible with fewer distractions.

This Canon RF 24-70mm f2.8 L IS USM lens includes a constant aperture throughout, so whether using the wide or the telephoto end of the zoom range, you can enjoy the same level of depth of field control. The lens also features a high-quality image stabilisation system, which brilliantly reduces camera shake from the equation, so you can move about the scene freely capturing shots from all angles, handheld, and the results will be blur-free!

Longer length telephoto zoom lenses, such as the Canon RF 70-200mm f4L IS USM zoom lens, are a great option for keeping your distance from the bride and bridegroom and still capturing tightly-cropped portraits. They are a great option for photographing larger weddings, where the wedding photographer can't quite manage to grasp prime position, and they are perfect for anyone practising the candid approach, as you can zoom in across a room and capture touching moments of guests, as they watch on unawares. 

The Canon RF 70-200mm f4L IS USM lens is incredibly compact considering its long zoom range. This means you will be able to carry it around for the entire wedding without suffering from neck or back aches. The lens is stabilised, so the long range can be enjoyed without the aid of a monopod or tripod. We love the 70-200mm in our wedding photography kits, but even at its widest, it can be a bit too magnified for certain situations, such as when shooting indoors, so it's best to pair this one with a standard zoom lens too. 

Top Tip: If you're looking for a faster version, please consider the Canon RF 70-200mm f2.8 L IS USM.

Are you booked in to photograph a wedding that is taking place in a large, vast cathedral or a similar location? To capture this special space in all of its glory, you need a lens with a wider field of view, such as this Canon RF 15-35mm f2.8 L IS USM lens. This wider scope is also great for fitting more guests into a solitary frame. You don't want to have to make rash decisions over which in-laws to leave out of the image when you are framing!

The Canon RF 15-35mm f2.8 L IS USM lens includes image stabilisation for blur-free handheld shots and a bright maximum aperture for harnessing beautiful bokeh. The lens is impressive optically and it also features a premium physical design, complete with a protective fluorine coating, so you can quickly wipe away dust or grime and move on to the next image; you don't want to miss the kiss, after all!

The best wedding photographers are always ready to frame and fire when important moments arise. Make sure your kit is just as ready as you are, with the perfect wedding photography cameras, camera lenses, and camera accessories, such as battery grips to keep you taking photos long into the reception.

Want to know how to take the next step with your wedding photography business? Follow our photography blog or head into your local Ted's store for more expert advice.