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Destination weddings are fun and crazy at the same time. I’ve had the privilege of photographing a number of them, so let me share my experiences. I recently saw someone tweet about how they were having so much trouble at the airport, which is why I am writing this piece.
Camera Gear
“Well, I’ll just bring all of my gear because I cannot risk missing a shot!” I beg to differ.
Tip #1 – Taxes For More Than One Body
If you carry more than one body, international airports will deem it as professional work and will charge you taxes and fees. Therefore, always claim it as your assistant’s camera. You can also make an excuse that one is about to break, so you brought a backup. Just be prepared on how to respond if you hate to pay extra.
Tip #2 – Light Packing
Carry as lightly as possible. When I photographed a day after session in Tulum (Mexico), we walked for 45 minutes to the beach, which would be a super pain if you lugged a lot of gear, so pack accordingly.
Passport
If you forget this, you do not deserve to shoot destination weddings.
Printed Wedding Itinerary
Be prepared to not have any printers conveniently lying around, unless you are at Ritz Carlton or something. Only problem there is they’ll charge you $0.70 per sheet. Trust me, I know.
International Plugs
Make sure that you can charge whatever gear you have. If you have consecutive weddings or shoots, be ready.
Charger
Surprisingly, many people forget this. I remember bringing associates to destination weddings and they FORGET their chargers. Like O-M-G right? LOL
Business / Credit Cards
Business cards are given. Credit cards are not.
Tip #1 – Variety
Bring one from MasterCard and one from Visa just to be safe. You may bring Discover, AMEX, Capital One, etc. to earn mileage, but risk the possibility of other countries not accepting it.
Tip #2 – Travel Alert
Call your credit card companies and put a travel alert on them. If you use it outside the country (sometimes state), they will freeze your account lest it has been hacked and you will be stuck with no money.
Tip #3 – Exchange Rates
Find out your credit card fees. ATM withdrawals are normally 1%. Credit card transactions are normally 3%. Don’t go spending like crazy to later find out you dug yourself a tiny debt.
Cash
No matter how much the airport wants to tear you a new one when exchanging money, be sure to exchange some into the visiting country’s currency.
Make sure to bring small change as well in case they honor the US dollar. This way you can tip cab drivers and etc. Later on when in the country, see whether it is more economical to exchange cash or withdraw from an ATM (normally 1%).
(Only the top one is a Benjamin. That’s how I roll – big bills on the outside hahaha!)
Carry-On Suitcase
The safe maximum size for international carry-on luggage is 45″, in the form of a 22″ x 14″ x 9″ bag. Companies have already created bags with those specifications in mind.
- ThinkTank Airport International
- Calumet Rolling Case
- LowePro International Rolling Case
Hotel
When booking hotels, I would suggest to stay wherever your bride/groom are staying. The reason for this is because it will be difficult to communicate with each other once you are there. Cell phones and emails might not be accessible, so plan accordingly.
Data Plans
If it is dire that you have data for emails [or twittering], make sure that you buy an international data plan before hand. One time I accidentally hit refresh and loaded 200 emails, which costed me $40. So yeah…
Fruits
??? just kidding
Aside from that, please be sure to bring socks, sandals, sun block, sun glasses, under garments, etc. This entire article dawned on me when someone tweeted about paying taxes at the airport, so I decided to elaborate from there.
Cheers,
Lawrence
P.S. My favorite Chipotle entree is chicken salad with black beans, hot sauce, sour cream, cheese and corn. Yum! I just had it today and can do it again tomorrow.
{ 24 comments… read them below or add one }
Great tips. I didn’t even know about the taxes. First I’ve heard of it! Retweeted.
Not sure why no other photographer thought to post this…but I respect your “sense of mind” to share with people that destination weddings is not just one big “FREE VACATION”. Keep on keepin’ on!
Good tips .. mmm chiptole my fav is the Veggie Burrito bowl…
Awesome! I’ve never run into airport taxes for my camera but I’ll keep an eye out next time ’round. Don’t forget to bleach any fruit and/or peel any fruit you may eat.. and always have your own TP!!! Many latin american countries don’t provide it (or a bathroom)
great tips. Thanks =D Can’t wait for your “novel”
Where do you get your business cards? They look awesome!
Thanks again for all the advice!
You are so considerate, what a great piece!!! thank you
thanks for the great info! u are always rockin’!
Thanks for the tips! This also works for those of us who travel for other shoots besides weddings.
And Chipotle? mmmm..nom nom I could eat it everyday too!
Are the bags you listed here what you recommend for traveling with equipment? We are getting ready to do our first destination wedding and I’m researching what to get.
Thank you for the tips. I was just wondering about this as I am starting to book destination weddings. I appreciate it!! Especially the airport taxes information.Thanks!
This is great information Lawrence. Anybody traveling for destination weddings needs to take this and file it away.
Other things to consider if you want to take it further is some countries require you to HAVE a permit. The fines and hassle isnt worth it by not having it!!
LOL…I like the cash…
Don’t forget to check that your Business Insurance policy covers you internationally. I had to switch Insurance companies just before I departed for my first destination wedding to have the coverage worldwide! Many business insurance policies cover USA and Canada only so just double check. That would be a nasty surprise!
Don’t forget the sunscreen!
Denise
This is a great piece – very insightful and helpful to the photography community. Actually, some of this information is useful for any traveler going international.
It’s always great to hear people’s tips! I leave for Granada, West Indies the week after next…. still trying to figure out the gear situation.
My only thought is on the cash comment…. I was always taught to keep the big bills on the inside, so as to not invite trouble. You never know! 
I am a Chipotle fan as well! Nice article. Well written about destination wedding travel. Wish I would have heard this BEFORE my first destination wedding. Lawrence, as always, thanks for the insight!
Good stuff Lawrence! Those biz card must cost a mint!
Thanks for the tips-good info.
I prefer the barbacoa burrito at Chipotle. With the corn salsa. And chips and guacamole. And I’m on my way there…now.
Thanks for the tips. What model is that luggage bag i wonder. it seems the inside comes out in case you want to come back with more stuff. cool.
The lugguage with the inside bag is from LowePro and Calumet. I don’t think ThinkTank allows that.
All of them are pretty good
Very informative. Especially regarding carry on items…I would reiterate not checking bags with equipment. I lost two bodies in a locked bag flying into Mexico last year. Now I only pack in carry on items.
great to know about the two camera/tax. I haven’t been asked about that yet, but I am sure to be prepared with an answer now, thanks!!!
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