Minimum Viable Kit

You need at least two camera bodies for wedding work. If your primary camera fails, the wedding doesn't stop. Having a backup isn't optional - it's professional.

• 📷
  Primary Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera

  Sony A7IV, Canon R6 Mark II, Nikon Z6III, or Panasonic S5II. Full-frame for better low-light and shallow depth of field. Mirrorless for silent shooting during ceremonies.
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  Backup Camera Body

  Same system as primary. Can be an older generation (A7III, R6, Z6II). Must be reliable and use the same lenses and batteries.

Three-Body System

Professional wedding shooters often carry three bodies: two identical primaries and one backup. This allows quick lens swapping without changing bodies.

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  Third Camera Body (Hybrid/Video-Focused)

  Sony A7SIII (video king), Canon R5 (8K capable), or dedicated cinema camera like Sony FX3 for locked-off ceremony shots.

The Essential "Holy Trinity" Zooms

These three zoom lenses cover 90% of wedding situations. Start here before adding primes.

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  24-70mm f/2.8

  Your workhorse lens. Getting ready, formals, reception, details - it does everything. Lives on one camera body all day.
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  70-200mm f/2.8

  Ceremony essential - capture emotion without standing at the altar. Also perfect for candid reception shots and compressed portrait backgrounds.
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  14-24mm or 16-35mm f/2.8

  Wide angle for venue shots, dance floor action, and dramatic environmental portraits. Add after mastering the other two zooms.

Fast Prime Lenses

Primes offer wider apertures (f/1.2-f/1.8) for better low light and creamier bokeh. Add these as your second investment.

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  35mm f/1.4 or f/1.8

  Perfect for getting ready rooms, environmental portraits, and reception dancing. Wide enough for context, fast enough for low light.
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  50mm f/1.4 or f/1.8

  The classic. Natural field of view, incredibly versatile. Budget f/1.8 versions are sharp and affordable - great starting prime.
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  85mm f/1.4 or f/1.8

  Portrait perfection. Flattering compression, gorgeous background separation. Essential for couple portraits and ceremony moments.
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  135mm f/1.8

  Ceremony specialist with extreme compression. Beautiful for vows and emotional moments from the back of the venue.

Specialty Lenses

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  90-105mm Macro f/2.8

  Essential for ring shots, invitation flatlays, and detail work. Can double as portrait lens. Worth having in your kit.
• 🔭
  Tilt-Shift Lens (24mm or 45mm)

  Creative tool for unique perspectives and miniature effects. Nice for venue architecture. Specialized - not essential.

Flash Photography Essentials

Mastering flash is what separates professionals from hobbyists. You will encounter dark reception venues - be prepared.

• ⚡
  On-Camera Speedlight x2

  Godox V1 or V860III, Profoto A2, or brand-specific (Canon EL-1, Sony HVL-F60RM2). Round head preferred for natural light quality. Always have backup.
• ⚡
  Wireless Flash Triggers

  Godox X2T, Profoto Connect, or built-in system. Need transmitter for each camera body plus receivers for off-camera flashes.
• ⚡
  Off-Camera Flash (OCF) x2

  Godox AD200 or AD300 Pro for more power off-camera. Essential for dramatic portraits and dance floor lighting setups.
• ⚡
  Light Stands x2-3

  Compact, sturdy stands that fit in your bag. Consider air-cushioned for safety. C-stands for serious OCF work.
• ⚡
  Flash Modifiers (MagMod System)

  MagSphere for bounce, MagGrid for control, MagGel for color correction. Magnetic system makes changes fast during reception.

Continuous Lighting (Video)

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  LED Panel Lights x2

  Bi-color (adjustable temperature), battery-powered. Aputure MC, Nanlite Litolite, or similar. Great for interviews, details, ambient fill.
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  RGB Tube Light

  Nanlite Pavotube, Aputure MT Pro. Creative accent lighting for receptions, portraits. Not essential but adds production value.

Audio Recording Essentials

Bad audio ruins great video. Invest in quality audio gear and always record backup.

• 🎤
  Wireless Lavalier System x2

  Rode Wireless GO II (budget king), Sennheiser EW-DP, or DJI Mic 2. Need two sets: one for groom, one for officiant. Always test before ceremony.
• 🎤
  Portable Audio Recorder

  Zoom H5 or H6, Tascam DR-40X. Backup audio is critical - record vows separately in case wireless fails. Also useful for speeches.
• 🎤
  Shotgun Microphone

  Rode VideoMic Pro+, Sennheiser MKE 400. On-camera ambient audio. Captures room tone and crowd reactions.
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  Audio Cables & Adapters

  1/8", 1/4", XLR, RCA in various lengths. You never know what you'll need to plug into (DJ board, PA system). Be prepared.
• 🎧
  Monitoring Headphones

  Compact, over-ear for checking audio levels. Essential for verifying lav placement before ceremony starts.

Support Equipment

• 📐
  Tripod with Fluid Head x2

  Ceremony essential - locked off vow shots. Manfrotto Befree for portability, Sachtler for pro video work. Need smooth pan/tilt for video.
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  Monopod

  Ceremony stability without tripod footprint. Great for 70-200mm work. Quick to move and reposition. Manfrotto XPRO+ popular choice.
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  Gimbal Stabilizer

  DJI RS3 or RS4, Zhiyun Crane series. Smooth walking shots for video. Practice extensively before wedding day - learning curve is real.
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  Slider (12-24")

  Cinematic detail shots, table shots, flat lays. Not essential but adds production value. Consider motorized for consistency.

Memory Cards

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  High-Speed SD Cards x8-12

  SanDisk Extreme Pro or Sony Tough. 128GB minimum, V90 for 4K video. Always format before each wedding, never in computer - only in camera.
• 💾
  CFexpress Cards (if camera supports)

  Required for high-bitrate 4K/8K video recording. Type A or B depending on camera. More expensive but faster write speeds.
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  Card Case with Used/Fresh Separation

  Organize cards religiously. Flip used cards upside down. Label system: P1, P2 (Photo), V1, V2 (Video), B1, B2 (Backup).

On-Site Backup

• 💿
  Portable SSD x2

  Samsung T7 Shield (rugged), SanDisk Extreme Pro. 1-2TB each. Backup cards during dinner - never leave wedding with only one copy.
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  USB Card Reader (Multi-slot)

  Fast USB 3.2 reader supporting both SD and CFexpress. Backup multiple cards simultaneously.

Power Management

• 🔋
  Camera Batteries x6-10

  OEM or high-quality third-party (Wasabi, Watson). Mirrorless cameras eat batteries - plan for 1 per hour of shooting minimum.
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  Dual Battery Chargers x2

  Charge throughout the day during ceremony/dinner. Never arrive with dead batteries.
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  AA Rechargeable Batteries + Charger

  Panasonic Eneloop Pro. For flashes - bring 24-32 minimum. Never use disposable AAs professionally.
• 🔋
  USB Power Bank

  Anker PowerCore 26800mAh or similar. Emergency phone charging, some cameras support USB charging.

Essential Accessories

• 👜
  Camera Bag / Rolling Case

  Think Tank Airport series, Lowepro ProTactic, Peak Design. Carry what you need, store the rest nearby. Consider rolling + sling bag combo.
• 🎒
  Dual Camera Strap System

  BlackRapid, HoldFast, Spider Holster. Two bodies, both accessible. Your back will thank you after 10-hour days.
• 🧹
  Lens Cleaning Kit

  Microfiber cloths, lens blower, lens pen. Salt air and humidity in Hawaii require frequent cleaning. Check lenses between each location.
• 🛠️
  Gaffer Tape

  Black, 2" roll. Secure cables, quick fixes, mark positions. Professional problem-solver. Never duct tape - leaves residue.
• 🛠️
  Multi-Tool / Leatherman

  Allen wrenches for tripod plates, screwdrivers, scissors. You'll use it when you least expect to.

Filters

• 🔘
  UV/Clear Protective Filters

  Quality filters (B+W, Hoya) for all lenses. Protects front element from scratches and salt air. Cheaper than replacing glass.
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  Circular Polarizer

  Essential for Hawaii - cuts glare on ocean, deepens blue skies, saturates colors. Have one for your main lenses (77mm + step-up rings).
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  Variable ND Filter (Video)

  Essential for shooting wide-open in bright sun while maintaining proper shutter speed (180° rule). Freewell, PolarPro, or Tiffen quality.
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  Black Pro-Mist 1/4 (Diffusion)

  Softens highlights, creates bloom on light sources. Cinematic look for video. Tiffen is the standard. Reduces harsh digital contrast.

Tropical Environment Essentials

Hawaii's humidity, salt air, and tropical weather require special preparation. Protect your investment.

• 🌧️
  Rain Covers for Cameras x2

  Peak Design Shell, Op/Tech Rain Sleeve, or DIY shower cap. Tropical showers appear suddenly. Be ready in seconds.
• 💧
  Silica Gel Packs (Large Qty)

  Keep in every camera bag compartment. Replace when saturated. Combat lens fungus from humidity. Rechargeable ones are eco-friendly.
• ☀️
  Lens Hoods (All Lenses)

  Hawaii sun is intense. Hoods prevent flare and protect front element. Always attached, always on.
• 🧽
  Extra Microfiber Cloths

  Salt spray, humidity, sunscreen on hands - you'll clean lenses constantly. Bring 6-10 fresh cloths per wedding.