We are kicking off 2025 with back-to-back destination weddings, so it’s the perfect time to share with you the exact list I work of off to make sure I bring all the necessities! There are so many factors I didn’t think of when I started shooting destination weddings. Things like outlet pin configuration and dealing with various voltages when staying in remote places never entered my mind. If you want to see line by line, the names of all bags, gear, and even clothing that I bring, check out my list here. If you want to design your own template by making tweaks to mine, click here.
Outside of equipment, there are also some best practices when photographing a destination wedding, here are my top ten tips for wedding photographers:
1.) Never check bags, always have your bag in the compartment overhead. If you must check a bag, check your clothes, not gear.
2.) Pay extra for business class so you board the plane in the first group, eliminating the option of getting separated from your luggage. If you’re among the last to board and it’s a small plane, don’t put yourself in the position of other passengers taking up all of the overhead space, leaving you to check your bag unexpectedly.
3.) Get direct flights. Nonstop flights mean less room for error with connections and layovers. Even if it means driving a few hours away to a larger city to depart from.
4.) Be at your wedding location at least two days before the wedding. For Saturday weddings, be in place on Thursday. Use that Thursday or Friday to scout locations, offer mini-session to guests or document welcome cocktails or rehearsal dinners.
5.) Have an easy way to carry around your photo cards and never let them leave your side. I either secure my cards in my wallet, or use a memory card case and carry it with you everywhere. (Other options, copy the photos to a hard drive on the wedding night and mail a copy to your house the next morning) Assume there won’t be a strong Internet signal to back up wedding photos.
6.) Have a backup of every lens, in two different bags. It’s not just having a lens stolen or breaking that you have to be concerned about. Changing lenses on a beach where there is blowing sand can be problematic. While you’re at it, check that your insurance policy covers you while working out of the country.
7.) Bring as many batteries as possible. In my experience, there are never enough working outlets and sometimes the voltage is different and you have to worry about plugging a million things in, so be prepared to go long periods of time without charging, especially when shooting three day events.
8.) Be super careful about what you eat and drink. In the days leading up to a wedding, I only eat items that are cooked, plus I have a ton of granola bars just in case.
9.) Never leave anything in a car. I don’t even like leaving my equipment in the room so I have a large backpack (check out my full gear and to do checklist) where I’m carrying around most of what I need, everywhere I go.
10.) Always carry extra cash and the proper currency. Contact your cell phone company and get an International Travel plan. Same with alerting your bank.
Having a list I can print and work off of helps me not only take everything I need, but not leave anything behind! With Canva, it’s so easy to make your own list by just going off of mine, here.
