I have been using Godox gear for a few years now and I am very satisfied with how they hold up on my a7iv. I totally get the worry about the hot shoe tho. I had one of the older plastic versions wiggle a bit too much for comfort, but the newer models really fixed those stability issues. For a wedding in Seattle where you might be moving fast, you definitely want that peace of mind. I personally use the Godox V1Pro-S Round Head Flash for Sony and it works well without any of the fragility concerns people had with the original V1. They upgraded the mounting foot to a much sturdier metal design that feels very secure on the camera. It is well under your 400 dollar budget and the light quality is honestly beautiful for those indoor reception shots. A few things I like about this specific setup:

• The metal hot shoe mount is much more durable and doesnt flex.
• It has a sub-flash that helps with fill light if you are bouncing the main head.
• Battery life is great so you wont be hunting for spares during the ceremony.
• Recycling speed is fast enough to keep up with a fast-paced environment. If you want to save a bit more money, the Godox V860III-S TTL Flash for Sony is another solid choice that uses the same reliable battery system. I have both and they have been completely dependable for me. Just make sure you get the S version for Sony and you should be happy with the results.

Just catching up on the thread... unfortunately, my experience with the mid-range Sony options has been pretty disappointing. I originally picked up a Sony HVL-F46RM Wireless Radio Flash thinking it would be the safe professional bet, but it felt like a toy. It overheated during a reception last fall and left me scrambling mid-vows. It was honestly embarrassing and made me super cautious about what I trust for weddings. I eventually shifted to the Godox V860III-S for Sony because it has a physical TTL/Manual switch. It feels slightly more rigid than the round-head flashes, though I still worry about the pins failing since they're so thin.

• Tighten the locking ring only until its snug, dont overdo it.
• Clean the gold contacts with a pencil eraser occasionally to prevent misfires. I really wanted the native gear to work out, but the build quality just isnt there for the price... wedding work demands more.

I stumbled upon this today and wanted to chime in because I went through a very similar journey when I first started doing events with my a7iv. I was super stressed about the budget and kept looking at the high-end Sony gear, but eventually, I settled on something much more affordable that has honestly kept me very satisfied. I ended up picking up two units of the Godox TT685II-S for Sony instead of one expensive flash, and it really simplified my workflow for a few reasons:

• Redundancy: For a wedding, having two units is a lifesaver. If one fails or you drop it during the ceremony, you have an identical backup ready to go immediately.
• Battery Flexibility: This model uses AA batteries. I found that carrying a few sets of Panasonic Eneloop Pro AA Rechargeable Batteries made me feel way more secure than relying on a single proprietary li-ion pack. If you run out of juice during the reception, you can just swap them in seconds.
• Build Quality: The version II has the updated quick-release lock. It feels much more secure on the a7iv hot shoe than the older screw-down style. It works well for me because it handles the TTL perfectly and basically does everything the high-end flashes do for a fraction of the price. I have no complaints after a year of use.

^ This. Also, I have been super satisfied with the newer Godox releases lately. If you are worried about the shoe breaking on the older V1, you should definitely check out the Godox V1Pro-S Flash for Sony. It basically fixed the fragile foot issue by making it way more robust and it handles heat much better during long shoots. I found a few things that helped me stay on budget while keeping things reliable:

• Look at the Flashpoint Zoom Li-on X R2 Speedlight for Sony at Adorama. Its the exact same flash as the V1 but usually comes with a better US-based warranty which is a lifesaver for professional work.
• Check out the website FlashHavoc for really detailed compatibility charts. It helped me realize I didnt need the most expensive Sony-branded gear to get high-speed sync.
• If you need a backup, the Godox TT600S Speedlite is like 60 bucks. Its manual only but having it in your bag for a Seattle wedding is great for peace of mind. Honestly, the V1Pro fits right under your $400 limit and feels much more professional than the older versions. Its worked well for me and I have no complaints so far. Let me know if you need help figuring out the menu settings!