Required Back Up Equipment for Weddings

<p>I've been an avid reader, and it has assisted me greatly as a new photographer. Thank you to all the positive posters. I've read many of the older posts as it pertains to needed backup equipment. I heeded all the warnings about carrying back up equipment and felt well prepared based on your post's but you all have failed me GREATLY and left me hanging. No one and I me no one; put a pair of pants in the list of back up equipment. My PANTS Busted as I was crouched down to take a shot of small children leading the bride out of the dressing room as the ceremony began LOL. This is my 1st post and probably the most important one I'll ever make, I'd hate for another photographer to be xxx out like I was LOL.</p>

<p>HAHAHA! Too funny! So how did you go about the rest of the day?</p>

<p>Sorry James, it <strong>has</strong> been mentioned from time to time. Barring an extra pair of pants, bring a sewing kit--slower, but works well too. And wear black underwear (or ones that match your pants) :^) While you're at it, extra pair of shoes too. I once inadvertently stepped into a mud hole at a wedding. Actually, make that a complete change of clothes...</p>

<p>I can second that... my wedding over the past weekend was:</p>

 

<ul>

<li>outdoors</li>

<li>mid afternoon</li>

<li>99 degrees before heat index.</li>

</ul>

<p>needless to say, I had to bring a second change of clothing so that I didn't look like a rat drowning in its own sweat. The reception, thankfully, was indoors.</p>

<p>I bring a brand new white shirt (still packaged) just in case.<br>

I like the dark pants/dark underwear idea but I do bring a roll of black gaffer tape that might work as well (used on the INSIDE of the pants, of course :-)).<br>

As far as backing up equipment, I had a flash cord go south on me. I carry an old one in my backup bag but that one failed too! For some reason I had an even older flash cord stashed away and fortunately that one worked good enough for the rest of the event.<br>

Just can't be too careful....</p>

<p>A woman who was "well partied" dumped pasta and tomato sauce all over me at the very beginning of a reception one day, luckily I always keep a pants and shirt in a plastic hanger in my vehicle so I can change out. But, unfortunately for the timing of it all, it took a while because the entrance was beginning, so it had to wait until after the toast.</p>

<p>James, it has happened to me, and I was very glad I had my expensive Jockey black moisture-wicking athletic underwear on. And during some summer weddings where the bride and groom decide on an outdoor ceremony, having a change of clothes would be nice. I sweat through my leather business card case and ruined my entire stack of cards earlier this month. Disgusting, I know, but something to consider if you're a warm-blooded mammal like me. : )</p>

<p>Too bad many of my weddings are here in NYC and I don't have my car with me. Having a spare set of clothes just isn't in the cards for those shoots!</p>

<p>actually backup clothing is one thing that I learned to have since the very beginning... our own wedding photographer ripped his pants.. luckily he had backup pants.</p>

<p>Thanks for the great tips and never thought about it! Now I will back up my clothing too. Thanks everyone.</p>

<p>Boy, at our last wedding I should have had a second shirt ... it rained hard, then the sun came out and the temp jumped to over 100 in the party tent, with humidity to equal it. With-in a couple of hours my black linen shirt was covered in embarrassing salt stains. Ewwwew.</p>

<p>Come to think of it, I could've used two extra shirts. </p>

<p><em>"No one and I me no one; put a pair of pants in the list of back up equipment."</em></p>

<p>I have mentioned it several times in backup gear posts here. I've not only had pants split in the rear, but once my zipper got caught on the back of a chair as I squeezed through a tight reception hall, and tore completely out. I carry a back-up set of clothing in my car, and wear dark undies (bright undies show through holes). Also a roll of black gaffers tape can be used for emegency tailoring.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>http://www.bhphotovideo.com/find/firstlook_feb2001.jsp<br>

An old but still valid story about what happens when you're at a wedding and not properly prepared.</p>

<p>Henry Posner<br /><strong>B&H Photo-Video</strong></p>

<p>All of it . . . this doesn't mean that you have to have two of everything.<br>

Look at each piece of gear that you bring with you: Make sure that you know what you would do if any of them broke. In my case, if my 80-200f2.8 stopped focusing, I would shoot portraits with the 24-105f2.8 or 85f1.8. If I dropped my 50f1.4, it would be replaced by the 30f1.8 and the 85f1.8. If my SB-800 caught fire, I would swap for my SB-600. So on and so on . . .</p>

<p>So, your choice of clothing is everyone else's problem? Not yours?</p>

<p>It seems you were not able to see a need for an extra pair of pants, and make it everyone else's fault!</p>

<p>Live and learn, my friend, live and learn.</p>