What should be my next lens? I'm working with a Nikon D5100?

I'm in a toss up between the 35mm, 85mm 1.4 or 1.8 and the 70-200mm of course there's a BIG price difference between these three. But, I really want to get the most for my money. ALso, if your choice is the 70-200mm would you suggest the VR or VRII? Again, price difference there too! I own a 50mm and 55-200mm any of these would be great assets to my growing collection, just getting opinions on what would be the best first purchase. I take mostly family pictures and portraits, hoping to get into weddings soon.

First you need to decide what subjects you intend to shoot

You can play around with your 18-55 mm lens locked on 35 mm with gaffers tape to see if that focal length will suit you (my guess it won't)

If you are into shooting landscpaes, then NONE of the listed lenses will do that unless you get into shooting overlapping shots and merging them into huge panoramic image files. Look at the Nikkor 10-24 mm lens.

If you are looking for a one lens solution, the 18-200 mm VR is a good choice.

Basically, you need to spend a lot more time doing research.

Here is a link you may find helpful

http://imaging.nikon.com/...simulator/

You already have a 50mm and a 55-200mm. Why get a 70-200mm which is already within the range of your existing zoom lens? Same for the 80mm. I assume your 50mm is fast enough already for blurring backgrounds if you needed to in portraits. What you need is a wider lens. 35mm is normal/standard. You need that but you need wide angle too.

The best lens for weddings (and for almost anything) is the 18-55mm lens. Yes, that is the kit lens. At 18mm, you would be able to fit large group shots easily in most cramped conditions. At around 35mm, you would be able to get any people shot comfortably like you were just looking at them with your own eyes. At around 55mm, portrait shots would be close enough but not too intimate. Aside from a lens, you would also need a strong external flash gun for weddings.

http://keerok-photography.blogspot.com/2011/05/lenses-so-many-of-them-there-is-no-best.html