Hi, what is the minimum gear you need when you are working as a professional wedding photographer?
Thanks, James

Hi James,

The gear question is one that fascinates and obsesses most photographers, so I'll try and be as objective as possible. The following applies to digital or film
(some wedding photographers still shoot some or all of the wedding on film).
You need a minimum of 2 camera bodies in case one fails during the wedding. It's better to have 3 bodies, with one as a backup and 2 with different lenses and ready to go at all times.
A good system is to have a wide-angle zoom on one body, and a medium-tele zoom on the other. This way you can quickly swap cameras and keep your flow instead of stopping to change lenses. Also, you are able to photograph all the important and unrepeatable shots onto separate memory cards or rolls of film. This is another insurance policy for you.
Memory cards have been know to fail, so use 1, 2 and 4gb cards rather than massive 8 or 16gb cards. If a large card failed it could be catastrophic for you and your clients.
Fast lenses are the order of the day - a 2.8 wide-angle zoom, 2.8 mid-range tele zoom, and maybe a 1.4 standard and 1.8 short tele lens. This allows you to use very shallow depth of field and also to shoot in low light without having to resort to fill flash all the time. You will never waste money buying good quality fast lenses. They will last for decades and give you excellent results.
A powerful flash with fast recharge is important for indoor reception shots.
Pack all this into one camera bag that stays with you at all times. Always keep your memory cards or exposed film on your person at all times until you get home in the evening!
Cheers,