You can't be talking about doing it professionally, just taking snapshots at a friends wedding, right? Otherwise the answer is a 70-200 f2.8 or whatever Canon's equivalent lens is. Price is about $1700.

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I was wondering which lens anyone recommends in the $200-$300 range for far away distance with Image Stabilizer. Such as photographing weddings from the back of the church or standing behind all the attendants shooting straight ahead or to the side. Also, do I need a seperate one for big group shots? Or do I just need a wide angle lens? I've recently purchased the 50mm f/1.8 and it's great for those "detail" shots like rings/bouquets/shoes/dress....I really like it's performance without going to the cost of the 50mm f/1.4