Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Lens

This is the lense that Canon advertised as it's standard by which all the others in it's line were measured when they made it in the FD version.
It's fast, sharp and silent to most ears. It's an excellent lense to use for weddings in churches or other places where the quiet operation doesn't distract from the dignity of the occasion.
It's strongest points are between f8 and f16 with f11 being the best for sharpness and contrast.
While it's common to think it's just a better replacement for the f1.8 version it's really a complementary optic.
The 50mm f1.8 while being more affordable actually gets much better results in sharpness at f2 than the more expensive big brother.
The 50mm f1.8 is also faster focusing in those dark reception halls than the 1.4 version simply because at f1.8 it offers higher contrast for the camera to work with than the 1.4 version.
I have both lenses and know from actual use how these two are really a tag team and not replacements for each other.

For the overall general purpose first prime lense the 1.4 is my recommendation. If you think you're going to get into photographing places where there isn't a lot of available light you're going to appreciate what the 1.8 version will do for you and your Canon camera.