Creating a Wedding Day Emergency Kit for Photographers
Our job as wedding photographers seems pretty straightforward – watch the day of two lovebirds unfold for 10-12 hours through our camera lens and tell their story through our images. We have enough pressure already, so surely there’s not much more to keep in mind, is there?
Well, yes and no.
One of my best friends in 2015 was… my emergency kit – in my case, really three different bags, most of which stay in my car or somewhere nearby – that hold all of the just-in-case items I may need during a wedding day (more so for my couples, their bridal party and guests than for myself). The list of items has grown considerably since my first wedding several years ago and I only imagine it will continue to increase.
My emergency items offer me peace of mind that I’ll be able to handle any unexpected moments in the day (from a cut to bad breath or dunking my shoes in a mud puddle). It also allows me to be a hero, or at least some extra unexpected assistance, to my brides and grooms on their important day. 
The technical things
In addition to my regular camera bag filled with my equipment – lenses, filters, batteries, etc – there are plenty of other business-related items that might be important on a wedding day:
– Files/paperwork on the couple
– Business cards
– Chargers (for phones and camera batteries)
– Card reader
– Laptop and its accessories
– Extra batteries
Clothes and accessories
You never know when you’ll step in a gigantic puddle to get the perfect shot (been there) or have drinks spilled on you by a crazy groomsman (yep, really), so it’s always a good idea to keep a little mini-closet with you. I usually keep these items in my car.
– Extra shirt/dress
– Extra shoes – something for all different types of weather (boots, flats, etc)
– Extras for guests or bridal party members: pantyhose, gloves, umbrella
Toiletries
I go through several items on this list during every wedding; it’s also the section I keep growing the most:
– Hair stuff
– Brush
– Hair ties and bobby pins
– Travel-size hairspray
– Travel-size deodorant
– Makeup finishing spray
– Makeup samples
– Black mascara
– Neutral blush
– Neutral or pink lip gloss
– Chapstick
– Floss
– Band-aids of different sizes
– Small lotion
– Small antibacterial lotion/sanitizer
– Eye drops
– Tide-to-go pen
– Bug spray
– Sunscreen
– Feminine products
Travel Pharmacy – I am cautious when handing out a lot of these items – make sure people have no allergies and make sure you don’t give someone ingesting a lot of alcohol any medicine. Also keep the medicine non-drowsy so you have no sleepy bridal party members or brides!
– Advil
– Tylenol
– Pepto
– Allergy medicine
– Essential oils – I’m a huge believer in some aromatherapy throughout the day, so I always keep a few mini rollerball oils with me to help with headaches, stress, etc.
Food & Drink – It’s a very long day for you and your couples. Keep hydrated and keep the blood sugar up when possible throughout the day.
– Water bottles
– Little snack packs – pretzels, crackers and cookies (no Oreos or you’ll have black in your teeth!)
– Gum
– Tic-tacs
Miscellaneous
– Pins
– Small scissors
– Nail clippers/file
– Tape
– Black sharpie (helps with scuff marks!)
– Pens
– Post-its
– Small sewing kit
– Lint roller
– Small flashlight
– Tissues
What are some items you can’t live without on a wedding photography day?
Check out this Wedding Day Series that our guest blogger- Wendy has put together for us!
- An engagement session to set the scene- 6 Tips for a Successful Engagement Session
- A successful day starts with a timeline – Creating a Wedding Timeline to Avoid a Disaster
- Communication and creativity with other vendors- Brilliant Ideas for Working with Wedding Vendors
- To First Look or Not to First Look- The Great Debate: A First Look or No First Look
- Must-Have Pictures of the Bride – 6 Must Have Pictures to get of the Bride
- Capturing Moments with the Groom- 5 Pictures to Capture of the Groom
- Quick and Easy Family Portraits – 6 Tips for Quick and Easy Family Portraits at a Wedding
- Keeping Bridal Party Photos Smooth and Fresh – 6 Tips to Keep Bridal Party Photos Smooth and Fresh
- All About the Little Things — Details of the Day 68 Details To Photograph at a Wedding
- Wrapping it up with kindness and care 6 Tips Photographers Need to put the Final Touch on a Wedding
FREE Photo Checklist for Wedding Details Download
GUEST BLOGGER: Wendy Zook
Liz Pimentel says
Thank you!!! My husband is rebranding to only shoot weddings & engagements and I’m assisting him for the first time (w/a wedding) this weekend. We just got married last year and it was madness, so my mind goes instantly to “how can we be prepared for their unexpected”. This list is super helpful. Thank you!
(Sidenote: Check out the website, but note that the rebranding hasn’t been launched here yet.)