My essential – non-photography equipment related – wedding equipment

Since there are so many posts out there about what camera and lenses are needed for wedding photography, some of them my own, I thought it would be good to point out a few other pieces of equipment that I find extremely important to bring to each wedding, that is, unless I run out.

One thing that I aspire to when working a wedding is to always be prepared (it’s the Eagle Scout in me). I cannot tell you the joy I get when the bride turns to her maid of honor, asking, “Do you have _____” and I can tell her that I do. I have built my kit up over the past two years, and have used almost every piece in it at least once. Many times wedding coordinators will have similar packs, but there has been more than one time where the wedding coordinator was not available, or at the venue getting things read, or the couple just did not hire a coordinator. These are the times things like this really come in handy.

First, we will start with what I like to call my wedding purse. My mom gave me a clear plastic bag with a zipper t be able to close it, and I use this for a good portion of my “bridal necessities”. In the purse, I have as follows:

• Sewing Kit: I can’t tell you how many times I have used this, from a tear in the dress or putting on buttons on the groom’s tux, it has been a life saver.
• Hair Gel: Good for when the boys forget about their hair and make up time.
• Tissues: If you or some one has a runny nose, or teary eye, I am prepared.
• Wet wipes: Ever been to a wedding where Phill’s BBQ catered? If you have, you know exactly why these are useful.
• First aid kit: the newest addition to my kit, with just a few band aids and a little bit of gauze. It wont fix a broken arm, but will help with blisters on the brides feet when she wore her shoes for the first time.
• Hair spray: I haven’t had to use this yet, but it is nice to keep around.

Other important items that I keep in my camera bag. These are not all for the client, but I find it fits well into the “non-photographic equipment” that I listed above.

• Tide To Go pen: Children – or groomsmen – are not always the tidiest when it comes to eating in their nice clothes. It works like they say it does, and taken out some pretty nasty stains.
• Pain reliever: Take your pick, aspirin, ibuprofen, advil. Its great to have when you, or anyone else needs it.
• Flashlight: Never know when you need to use it. I use it all the time while packing up my bag, finding car keys, using to help focus (sometimes).
• Pens: People always ask me for pens, and its nice to have around.
• Breath-freshener: I have a small tin of mini Altoids, they cost a buck and take up no room in the bag. I try to make it a point to go around after dinner to the vendors so they stay fresh as well.
• Business cards: Its one of my pet peeves when I ask someone for a business card and they fail to produce one. It has happened to me once and was quite embarrassing, so I make it a point to put them everywhere – in the car, my bag, wallet, anywhere.
• Extra batteries: AA, AAA’s what ever you need. Its nice to have not only for you, but if anyone needs a few.
• Battery charger: I bought one that I can use in the car or using an AC outlet, and it is a great backup, just in case.
• Sun screen: Sometimes I think we are going to be doing an all indoor wedding, and turns out we spend the entire day on the beach. I prefer to stay tender, not crispy.
• Gaffers tape: Its kinda like painters tape because it doesn’t leave a greasy residue, but stronger and easier to rip. Its saved my butt a few times

I would like to add photos to this post as I go on, but this is the gist of what I carry. I will continuously add to it, but I highly recommend that if you shoot weddings, you get yourself a kit like this.