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I have a wedding to do in a hotel and due to it being quite dark i am going to need to use my studio lighting. The corridor where i am going to do the formals is only about 9 ft wide and the walls are a very rich red colour and i am worried that the studio light will bounce of them and create a colour cast on the peoples skin. Can anyone please advice on what i should do to avoid this?
Hi James
I assume there is absolutely no chance of getting outside? Formals indoors always wreak to me of 70's weddings.. not sure why that is but just what they do to me 
In addition, how may people are you going to include in the formals. (ft wide and somehow you are going to have to accommodate the lighting sounds like dreadful conditions
I know this isn't answering your question but I would do everything I could to avoid being in this situation if I were you
Send the decorators in the day before...:0
Shoot raw take a shot of a ezi balance grey white card under the light conditions your shooting in and adjust white balance against shoots of balance card
Barries choice is the better option
I think there is going to be a problem with the grey card approach which is why I didn't suggest it.
When the light source itself needs to be balanced, a grey card works fine and is exactly the right approach however, when the light source itself is OK but some of the light falling on the subject is 'discoloured' by reflection on a coloured object (i.e. the wall) then using the grey card approach is only going to partially help.
For example, if the lower half of the bride's dress is illuminated by the lights but her face and top part by reflected light - what white balance do you use? It's a nightmare and the reason I say you should do everything (including suggesting they just live in sin ) to avoid it.
In the absence of any other alternative, it's certainly a very good start
Not thought of it that way good point Barrie... Minds in NW week end holiday mode now 
Most rooms in the hotel are french and spanish themed. There is lots of french leather sofas that are shiny and could cause problems and all the spanish themed areas have red walls and yellow ceilings The corridors are so narrow and i have 16 people to photograph. It is nice in th grounds but i am relying on good weather. I am really worried about colour casts. I shall be shooting raw.
Quote: Minds in NW week end holiday mode now
I wanted to go on this myself but have weddings on both the 5th and 6th 
James, can't be more help without knowing the exact setup but unless it's actually piddlin' down, do it outside
Im going to be doing inside and outside shots. The ceremony room and the meal room are only about 10 meters long and very poorly lit. I feel i need to produce some shots that show the interior of the hotel. I went to the hotel to have a look and when i stepped out the car and seen the beautiful grounds i thought "Im home and hosed here" i felt a real buzz wishing the wedding was today, then when i walked in and seen the inside i thought bloody hell this is going to be difficult. I am just at the start of my career as a wedding photographer and i suppose i will just have to bite the bullet regardless of how conditions are.
James.
When is the wedding?
If you have time why dont you go there with a couple of friends and take a couple of test shots. I am sure the hotel will not mind as they will want the couple to have nice photographs also. Just find out when one of thier quietest times of day are and ask if you can pop along.
If not. I can only echo what Barrie has said and strongly suggest that if possible you stay outdoors.
Obviously if it is absolutley tipping it down this may not be feasable. But the chance of rain is just something you will have to get used to if you want to pusue a career as a Wedding Photographer in the UK.
Paul
I think your best bet is to not worry about colour casts, and to be happy that the venue is so full of rich colours and textures, and to get on with the job, and do what your paid for.
Sounds like a great place to shoot. Make the most of the colours, and make the most of the whole setting.... If you cant do that, then pass on the job and give it to someone who can..
in the meantime, get in some more practice!
No need to be too harsh with the guy
This sort of situation can be tricky and not even the most seasoned pro knows everything or has experience of every situation that can come your way.
Being a professional doesn't mean you know everything but it does mean understanding your limitations and having the ability to listen and learn
Being a professional also means being up at 3:25am editing photos from a wedding you have just completed (Friday) ahead of another one on Saturday (or it could be that I just can't sleep) ... sleep is for wimps
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