After 50 weddings, you would think that packing my bags for a wedding- whether it be a local wedding or a travel or destination wedding would be no problem. But alas, at the wedding, I usually forget something or leave something.
Fortunately, I have never forgotten my camera or memory cards, but I have left straps, or clamps.
Want to see what I bring to wedding and my typical gear? (of course, you have download my free checklist at the bottom of this blog post)
Cameras:
The New and gorgeous Nikon z6 with the FTZ adapter for all the Nikon lenses that you have. I just switched over from Nikon D750- which was my bread and butter for 5 years, but after all the video stats and in camera stabilization and the ability to fit all my lenses- then I was sold!
Of course, getting double the amount of batteries and memory cards that you think you need is always a good idea! Believe me, I use over 6 or 7 batteries in a wedding!
Lenses:
My go to:
Nikkor 50mm. 1.4 is my favorite little nifty fifty
My favorite ring shot lens (and poor man’s telephoto) 105mm 2.8
Nikkor 70-200 2.8 (I only use this lens for the ceremony, but so worth it)
Nikkor 85mm 1.8 is my favorite little portrait lens for under $500
Nikkor 24-120 f4 is one of my favorite lenses in my bag, even though it’s an f4, I love the range and that I don’t have to change lenses!
My bag:
So I was looking through so many bags, but for me, I didn’t want to invest in all these different bags, I wanted a pouch to keep all my gear and be able to transfer all of it in a suitcase or a backpack or whatever. So this kind of pouch is perfect for me!
My flashes and lighting:
My favorite pro strobes on the go are my godox ad200 with my Nikon trigger, but of course my on-camera flashes are these rechargeable godox flashes
Need a great and cheap video light? I’ve done over 10 weddings where the dance floor is SOO dark and there is no DJ lights, so having some video lights on the floor help to set the mood!
My modifiers and accessories:
I love these S Type Brackets to hold all my flashes to go with my umbrella octobox. I love how small they are to fit into a suitcase for my check luggage!
So what do we do about lightstands? I want everything to fit in a check bag for when I travel and 9 foot lightstands just don’t travel well in a compact way.
So I came up with this crazy idea. First you need a basic sturdy tripod with good balance. And then you need these male/female converter pieces to make every tripod head a lightstand on a budget.
Random other Stuff
Hip pouch- don’t judge me. All my memory cards and batteries stay in the pouch along with my business cards- that way- I know that I don’t drop any important information and all my files come safely back with me.
Double camera strap: I’ve literally used this strapped for 6 years straight and I’ve never been disappointed.
Protein Bars for when you get hungry. Believe me, I passed out at a wedding once in the middle of a ceremony – because my sugar dropped.
Water bottle back to the self care part. I drink over 1 gallon of water a day.
Have lots of gear to tote? Then a cart like this at Walmart might be best!
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So there you have it- my entire gear list and some helpful tricks about how I lug all of my gear around in a portable way. Hopefully that helped get you going on what to bring and some new ideas!
Make sure you download my free checklist there:
Christal Marshall is the owner of Virginia Photos and Films, Studio Marshall Arts, Marshall Arts Media Group and Virginia Beach Photobooth Company.
She lives, breathes and does media and marketing pretty much 24-7 for over 14 local business through social media management, website design, photo, video or media coverage or graphic design.
She is a homeschool mom of three, cat lover, sushi eater and poke fan!
She started her business in 2011 with nothing but a $400 camera from Amazon, now she is has been published in over 60 different blogs and websites for her media work and rank top Wedding Photographer in Virginia Beach.