There’s a LOT to keep in mind when you’re a photographer packing for a wedding day! You have to come prepared with backups, but how much is too much?? As a beginning wedding photographer, it can be tricky to find comfortable clothes too. You’re about to be on your feet all day so comfy shoes and a quality backpack are necessities. 

Keep reading to learn how to pack, what to wear on wedding days, and how to prepare yourself with the best wedding photography equipment!

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The Best Camera Gear for Wedding Photographers (in my opinion!)

When you’re packing your camera gear for a wedding day, make sure you’re prepared for every possible scenario!! For wedding days, I pack several camera bodies, lenses, SD cards, and batteries. 

Whether you’re an aspiring wedding photographer or simply looking for the best equipment for beginners, I definitely recommend this gear!

My wedding day photography gear checklist:

• Two camera bodies
  • The main body goes in my Canon R6.
• Canon 85mm 1.2L
• Canon 35mm 2.0
• Canon 24-70 2.8L
  • I usually have my second shooter use this one.
•  Sandisk SD cards
  • I shoot at least 64GB on wedding days!
• Six fully charged batteries
  • I usually only use three or four in one wedding day, but I ALWAYS have backups!

What I Wear to a Wedding As a Wedding Photographer

My Brevite backpack is what I carry everything in! It’s an amazing backpack, perfect for holding all of my camera gear and wedding day necessities.

Get yourself a harness that holds two camera bodies!! This makes it so easy to use my hands when I need to while still keeping my cameras close by and ready. I’m obsessed with the Hold Fast Skinny Money Maker! It helps my back, shoulders, and neck when I carry my gear for 8+ hours!

Rothy’s shoes (flats) have CHANGED MY LIFE – these shoes are a total game changer if you don’t want your feet to fall off before the day is over!

I wear black skinny jeans, black tops, and a black blazer to look professional and blend into the background while I capture everything around me. Some wedding photographers opt for a black jumpsuit. Whichever way you go with, black is the standard and pockets are a MUST!

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My Wedding Day MUST HAVES – Miscellaneous Items

Last but not least, these are some other things I alwaysss include on my wedding day checklist. When you’re on your feet all day, you have to make sure you take care of yourself!

When you plan the timeline with your couple, make sure you find a spot where you can sit down for a few minutes to eat. I usually do this while the couple eats dinner! I always pack snacks that are quick and don’t leave a mess. Maybe the most important wedding photographer tip: DRINK WATER! Stay hydrated!

• Snacks
• Water
• Printed timeline
• Printed list for family photos 
• Pen (to check things off throughout the day to be sure nothing is missed!)
• Bobby pins
• Extra makeup bag 
• Migraine medicine

Items for flatlays, in case my detail shots need a little spice:

• Greenery
• Ribbons
• Ring box
• Pretty hanger

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Complete Wedding Day Packing Checklist:

• Two camera bodies
• Canon 85mm 1.2L
• Canon 35mm 2.0
• Canon 24-70 2.8L
• Sandisk SD cards, 64GB
• Six fully charged batteries
• Brevite backpack
• Hold Fast Skinny Money Maker
• Rothy’s shoes 
• Snacks
• Water bottle
• Printed timeline
• Pens
• Bobby pins
• Makeup
• OTC headache medicine
• Items for flatlays (greenery, ring box, ribbons, etc)

For more Wedding Photographer tips, read How to Avoid Burnout as Photographer 

Washington Wedding Vendors

The wedding photos throughout this blog are from Michelle + Tyler’s wedding! Congrats to the Potts – your wedding was beautiful! Here are some of the vendors that helped pull it off:

Floral – Moments 4 Flowers 

Catering – Occasions Catering 

Makeup Artist – Maggie Mae Makeup

Hair Stylist – Stylist Mandie