Saw this earlier and wanted to chime in because that Seattle wedding sounds stressful enough without gear anxiety. Since you're coming from the 5D IV, the most critical thing nobody tells you is that the new multi-function shoe on the R6 II is actually a bit different than the old ones. If you're using your old EX-series flashes, you basically need the Canon AD-E1 Multi-Function Shoe Adapter. Without it, you lose the weather sealing at the connection point and it can be a bit finicky under the pressure of a fast-moving event. For the workflow stuff, here is what actually matters in my experience:

• The Canon Control Ring Mount Adapter EF-EOS R is a total game changer for weddings. Mapping ISO to that ring lets you react way faster than diving into menus or using the tiny dials when the lighting shifts during the ceremony.
• Dont sleep on your SD cards. The R6 II hits high frame rates and you dont want your buffer hanging during the first kiss. I switched to Lexar Professional 1667x 128GB SDXC UHS-II cards and they handle the data rate perfectly without costing as much as the V90s.
• If you are worried about power and cant afford four more batteries, get a high-speed PD power bank like the Anker 737 Power Bank (PowerCore 24K). You can top off the camera via USB-C during the dinner break while it is in your bag. Forget the cage for a wedding unless you are doing heavy video. It just adds weight you will regret by hour ten. Just make sure your firmware is updated before you head out tho... mirrorless needs those stability updates more than the old DSLRs ever did.

> basically tapped out on my budget after buying the body but I do not want to get caught without the essentials. Ive been shooting weddings for nearly fifteen years and if there is one thing I have learned, it is that the unexpected always happens. Since you are going to Seattle, you absolutely have to prepare for the rain. It is not just a cliché... it really can ruin a wedding day if you are not ready. I once had a camera body start acting up because of a light drizzle at an outdoor ceremony. Pick up a Think Tank Photo Emergency Rain Cover Small. It is cheap, takes up no space, and will save your R6 II if the clouds open up. Also, those flip-out screens are great but way more vulnerable than the fixed ones on your old 5D. I always put a ULBTER R6 Mark II Tempered Glass Screen Protector on my bodies immediately. It costs basically nothing but prevents a very expensive repair if you bump it against your belt or another camera. For storage, make sure you are using both slots. I wont even click the shutter at a wedding unless I am writing to two cards simultaneously. I have had cards fail mid-reception and having that backup is the only thing that let me sleep that night. I suggest the SanDisk 64GB Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-II cards. They handle the buffer on the R6 II much better than the older UHS-I cards you probably used in the 5D. Don't overcomplicate things with cages or extra grips yet. Just keep the gear safe and the files backed up. Stick with the mirrorless tho, that autofocus is gonna save your life during the processional.

I'm actually gonna go against the flow a bit on the control ring adapter. I was so sure I needed it when I first switched over, but it ended up being a bit of a headache for me during a live shoot.

• I kept bumping the ring by accident and changing my settings without realizing it, which was a nightmare during the reception.
• My muscle memory is so baked in from my old gear that adding a new physical control just confused me when I needed to be fast.
• I eventually went back to using the most basic version of the adapter and I've been much more satisfied with how reliable everything feels now. tbh I've found that for performance, sometimes less is more. I was super anxious about the battery thing too, but I found that just being smart with the sleep timer on the camera kept me going all day without needing those bulky external packs. It was such a relief to realize I didn't actually need every single extra gadget to get the job done well... sticking to what felt familiar really saved my skin.

In my experience, prioritizing reliability over fancy features is key for weddings. Stick with the Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R since it is built like a tank. You also need genuine Canon LP-E6NH Lithium-Ion Battery packs because mirrorless bodies are power-hungry.

• Standard EF adapter
• OEM batteries I've tried many alternatives over the years, but genuine parts prevent mid-shoot failures. Dont overcomplicate the kit right before a big job.

honestly just wanted to say you are gonna LOVE the eye tracking on the R6 II, it is legit life changing for weddings! Since you are on a budget, dont feel like you need every fancy bit of kit right now. Just a few things to watch out for tho so you dont have a disaster:

• Avoid those super cheap generic batteries from random sites. I tried them once and they swelled up inside my camera, which was terrifying. Stick to renting or save up for the real deal... generic ones just arent worth the risk.
• Be really gentle with that new hot shoe! Those tiny pins are way more fragile than your old 5D IV. If a flash feels stuck, dont force it or you might snap a pin.
• Forget the fancy rain covers if you are broke. A simple heavy-duty plastic bag and a thick rubber band works amazing for Seattle drizzle. It is basically what I do every time I shoot in the PNW!
• Watch out for the balance with your old EF glass. Mirrorless bodies are light so big lenses make it front-heavy. Make sure your strap is sturdy or you will have a killer neck ache by the reception. You got this! The camera is fantastic and you are gonna crush that wedding!

^ This. Also, watch out if you're planning to rely on your old batteries from the 5D IV. In my experience, while they technically fit, you're gonna run into some annoying compatibility issues that might trip you up during the ceremony.

• You'll lose the high-speed continuous shooting modes because the older packs don't provide enough juice.
• In-camera charging over USB-C requires a very specific Power Delivery (PD) standard or it just won't work at all.
• Older batteries tend to report their charge level poorly on these newer mirrorless sensors. I'd definitely recommend heading over to the Canon Support website and downloading the full Advanced User Guide PDF. It has a whole section on power and battery compatibility that's way more detailed than the little manual in the box. Itll help you figure out exactly what your old gear can and cant do so you dont get any nasty surprises in Seattle. Better to be safe than sorry tbh.

I've been really satisfied with my transition to mirrorless lately by staying pretty methodical with my spending. Honestly, if you're stressed about the budget for those batteries, renting is the safest bet for a big wedding. Sites like LensRentals or BorrowLenses are basically lifesavers for getting genuine Canon LP-E6NH packs for just a few days. Way cheaper than buying four of them outright. I've had no complaints with ProGrade Digital SDXC UHS-II V60 Gold 128GB cards either. They're super reliable and way more affordable than the V90 stuff while still handling the R6 II's speed just fine. No need to overspend on memory if you aren't shooting heavy 8K video. One more thing tho... you definitely need a Giottos Rocket Air Blaster Large. Since there's no mirror, that sensor is gonna get dusty way faster than your 5D IV ever did. Its a cheap way to keep shots clean without touching the glass. You should check out some setup guides on the DPReview forums too... they have some solid threads on power-saving settings that work well... basically essential for mirrorless.

Regarding what #4 said about "I've been really satisfied with my transition to..." mirrorless, I think keeping things methodical is definitely the smartest way to avoid a disaster on such a high-stakes day. The thread has covered the essentials well so far:

• Sticking with first-party adapters and batteries for peak reliability.
• Addressing the specific multi-function hot shoe compatibility.
• Preparing for environmental factors like that Seattle rain.
• Utilizing rentals to bridge the gap while you are tapped out. I have generally found that staying within the official ecosystem yields the most consistent results, though I am satisfied with how some high-end third-party storage brands perform compared to OEM options. Before you make any final moves, I have a couple of clarifying questions to help narrow this down:
• Are you planning to shoot mainly video or stills for the ceremony, as that changes the power draw significantly?
• Are you looking to eventually replace your EF glass, or is this a long-term commitment to the adapter workflow?

Wow ok that changes things. Gonna have to rethink my approach now.

Would love to know this too