Sooo, just catching up on this thread! Honestly, I totally get why ur hesitant about the price... $350 for the Canon BG-R10 Battery Grip is a lot of money when ur just starting to scale up. Basically, a grip matters because it moves the weight back toward your palm, which helps a ton with that heavy 70-200mm lens you mentioned. Check out the Vello BG-C18 Battery Grip for Canon EOS R5, R6, and R6 II. It’s usually around $90 and it's one of the few third-party ones that actually plays nice with the Canon LP-E6NH Lithium-Ion Battery percentage display. I know the previous replies mentioned sticking to official gear, but if you want to save money, there's a great resource at MPB or KEH for used gear. You can often snag the official Canon version for under $210 there, which saves you a bunch without the communication error risk. Also, check out the 'Canon Price Watch' website to track deals. Vello is a decent budget option if ur budget is super tight, but used official is highkey the best way to go for weddings... gl!

In my experience, I tried a budget grip cuz I was broke... but it was a total DISASTER. It kept losing connection with my Canon LP-E6NH Lithium-Ion Battery! Basically, I think third-party brands lack the chips for Canon's firmware. Why I switched:
1. Reliability is highkey better.
2. Buttons aren't mushy. i finally got the Canon BG-R10 Battery Grip. ur hand will thank u! Is ur camera getting hot too? gl!

I'm realy new to the R series but I've been a DIY guy for years. Basically, if you don't want to drop the big bucks, you can rig up your own "self-service" setup pretty easy. I've been messing around with my R6 and found a few ways to manage the weight and power without the official stuff. - Neewer Vertical Handle for EOS R5 R6: It's super budget-friendly. The buttons might feel a bit clickier than official ones, but it gets the job done for ergonomics.
- USB-C PD Charging: I use an Anker 737 Power Bank PowerCore 24K on a belt clip. It keeps the camera charged via USB-C so I don't worry about the internal power percentage as much during weddings.
- Grip Tape: Sounds wierd, but adding some rubberized grip tape to the handle helps a lot with the front-heavy lenses like that 85mm. Do the third-party ones realy throw errors that much? I haven't seen it yet, but I mostly use them for the physical handle anyway. Might be worth checking if your camera firmware is updated though - that sometimes fixes the communication bugs! Worth a shot if you're trying to save a few hundred bucks.

Omg I am literally in the same boat with my R6 right now! That heavy glass like the 85mm is amazing for portraits but my wrist is absolutely screaming after a long day of weddings. It is so stressful watching that battery drain right when things get good. I havent pulled the trigger on a grip yet either because I am so paranoid about reliability during a paid gig! Its honestly the worst feeling ever. Here are a couple of things that helped my performance while I am still undecided:

• Use a Peak Design Clutch Camera Hand Strap to take some of the tension off your fingers when holding those heavy RF lenses. It helps the ergonomics a ton without adding the bulk of a full grip.
• Keep a Canon PD-E1 USB Power Adapter in your bag to fast charge the camera via a wall outlet during any downtime or lunch breaks. Following this thread closely to see if anyone has a rock solid third party recommendation because that official price tag is just wild!

Seconded!

Before I give advice, do you shoot in the rain often? Honestly, just go with official Canon gear. I've had issues with third-party seals and buttons, it's NOT worth the risk tbh.

Same setup here, love it

Honestly, I am pretty cautious with my R6 too because I have heard those same horror stories about communication errors mid-shoot. If you are looking for a direct answer on how to handle the weight and battery without breaking the bank, here are a couple of routes I have looked into. First, there is the JJC Wireless Remote Control Battery Grip for Canon R5 R6.

• Pros: It feels a bit more substantial than the super cheap brands and usually plays nice with the LP-E6NH batteries.
• Cons: Still lacks that perfect weather sealing you get with the official Canon one, so be careful in the rain. Second, for a more DIY ergonomic fix, I looked at getting the SmallRig Black Mamba Cage for Canon EOS R5 & R6 3233 and adding a SmallRig Wooden Side Handle 2093C.
• Pros: This is a game changer for the 70-200mm lens. It gives you way more surface area for your hand so the weight is spread out across your palm.
• Cons: It does not actually add a second battery, but you can bolt a mount for a power bank onto the side if you are feeling adventurous. I basically think if you are doing weddings, reliability is king. I would probably start with the cage to save your wrists first, then maybe save up for the official gear later once the gigs pay for it... but the JJC unit is a decent middle ground for now!

Any updates on this?