Godox V1 C is one of the best choice.

For budget-friendly event shooting, the Godox TT685II-C is a popular choice. It offers TTL, high-speed sync, and decent power, making it versatile for various lighting conditions. Yongnuo YN600EX-RT II is another solid option. Keep in mind, budget flashes might have slightly slower recycle times than top-tier models.

100% agree

Honestly, when I first started doing weddings, I was terrified of not having that official manufacturer support that comes with the super expensive flagship gear. I thought I needed that professional safety net in case something failed mid-shoot. But eventually, I realized I could basically be my own support team by just buying a few of the more affordable units for the same price as one big-name one. I actually ended up learning a lot more about the technical side this way. Instead of sending a unit off for weeks if I bumped it and the foot broke, I just learned to swap out the parts myself. It really changed my perspective on gear as a tool. I even started DIYing my own bounce cards with basic craft store supplies. Tbh, the light I get from a simple piece of white foam and some rubber bands is sometimes better than the fancy gear I used to pay a huge premium for. It feels way more rewarding to understand the gear inside and out rather than just relying on an expensive service plan. Plus, having two or three backups in the bag is wayyy better for my anxiety during an event than just having one pro unit!

Following

Late to the party but I've been using off-brand flashes for years now and honestly, they've held up way better than I expected. Not sure if it's the same for every brand, but I think the main thing you give up is just that absolute peace of mind. IIRC, some of the older budget ones used to have issues with the hot shoe feet breaking, but mine have been solid for dozens of events. Basically, if you're worried about reliability, just buying two is still cheaper than one name-brand unit. I'm not totally sure how the newest firmware handles TTL on the newer mirrorless bodies tho, so definitely double check that first. But in my experience, the long-term trade-off is mostly just a bit of a plastic-y feel rather than actual performance issues. They've been workhorses for me even if they feel a bit cheaper in the hand. Just my two cents...

ngl i wish i could be as hyped as everyone else about those options but unfortunately i had some real issues with the Godox V1-C on my r6 lately. basically i was shooting a sweet sixteen and the ttl kept underexposing by like two stops randomly. it was so frustrating because i spent more time checking my screen than actually shooting the kids. i think people overlook that some of these third party flashes have weird compatibility hiccups with the newer rf mount communication. its not always as smooth as the old dslr days. honestly if you want something that actually works every single time without the headache i might suggest looking at a used Canon Speedlite 430EX III-RT instead. yeah you lose some power compared to the big godox units but at least you dont have to worry about the firmware glitching out mid-event. i ended up returning my godox because i just couldnt trust it for paid work anymore which sucks because the round head design was actually kinda cool tho.

Same boat, watching this