Everything I Carry So You Don’t Have To
There’s a moment at nearly every wedding or elopement where something goes sideways. Not catastrophically. Just enough to send a ripple of stress through an otherwise perfect day. At one event I used toupee tape on a mother of the bride whose boob tape had completely given up, cut tags off a dress with scissors, helped the bride into her gown using a crochet hook on the buttons, and handed someone a tampon who really needed one. Four different kit items. One afternoon. And that mother later told me the toupee tape did not move for the rest of the day.
That is why I carry what I carry. Not because I expect disaster, but because being prepared for the small stuff means you never have to think about it. When I show up to your Colorado elopement, I have already packed the things that tend to get forgotten, the things that fix what breaks, and a few items you would never think to bring yourself.
You can find everything you need to pack yourself in your Colorado elopement packing list. This post is about what I bring so you do not have to.
What’s Actually in My Elopement Photographer Kit
Open the items marked “Worth knowing” for the story behind them. Product links open in a new tab.
Dress and outfit emergencies
Toupee tape (Op-Stick heavy duty fashion tape) Worth knowing
This has become my go-to for slipping straps and gaping necklines. In my experience, it has held up better than the fashion tapes I’ve tried. We still follow the product directions and check compatibility with your skin and fabric. Find it on Amazon.
Crochet hook Worth knowing
Those tiny fabric-covered buttons on the back of a wedding dress can be tricky with bare fingers. A crochet hook helps guide the loops over the buttons without all the fumbling.
Dryel stain remover pen Worth knowing
For little marks that show up at inconvenient moments. Before treating a dress, we check its care instructions and test a hidden spot—especially on delicate fabrics. Find it on Amazon.
Mini Clorox wipes Worth knowing
For compatible surfaces, following the package directions. These aren’t my recommendation for cleaning skin or removing marks from wedding attire.
Lighter Worth knowing
A small utility item that stays packed unless its use is appropriate and permitted. Open flames aren’t suitable around wedding attire, and outdoor use depends on the location’s fire restrictions.
Clear nail polish Worth knowing
A little backup for a run in tights. It takes up almost no space, but it isn’t something I would apply indiscriminately to a wedding dress.
- Wrinkle release spray
- Static guard
- Shoe stretch spray
- Shoe Goo
- Double-sided tape
- Super glue (shoes, jewelry, decor)
- Mini duct tape
- Mini sewing kit: needles, thread, safety pins, and small scissors
- Extra earring backs (clear rubber)
- Scissors + Swiss Army knife
Touch-up and beauty
Setting powder with SPF + oil blotting sheets Worth knowing
For shine control and small touch-ups between portraits. We choose what suits your skin and makeup. Powder with SPF doesn’t replace properly applied sunscreen. Setting powder on Amazon and blotting sheets on Amazon.
- Lip balm + neutral lip gloss or lipstick
- Mini makeup wipes
- Compact mirror
- Hair ties, bobby pins, mini hairspray, flyaway gel
- Nail file and clipper
Comfort and body
Moleskin Worth knowing
For protecting spots where shoes start rubbing, before a little irritation becomes the focus of your hike. Follow the package instructions, especially if a blister has already formed.
Electrolyte packets (Nuun, Liquid I.V.) Worth knowing
An option alongside water and snacks on long, active days. Bring what works for you, and let me know about any dietary needs. Electrolytes aren’t a treatment for altitude sickness.
Hand warmers Worth knowing
The temperature at the trailhead and the temperature at twelve thousand feet are often two entirely different things. These live in the kit year-round for early morning ceremonies, high alpine locations, and shoulder season elopements.
Travel first aid kit Worth knowing
More than a few bandages thrown in a bag. I carry supplies for common minor issues such as cuts, scrapes, and blisters. A kit supports our preparation; it doesn’t replace medical care or an emergency plan. Find it on Amazon.
- Snacks (granola bars, trail mix)
- Band-aids (regular + blister)
- Pain relievers (ibuprofen + acetaminophen)
- Allergy meds
- Antacids
- Tampons and pads
- Sunscreen
- Bug spray
- Eye drops
- Tissues
- Hand sanitizer
- Breath mints and gum
- Large hand fan + mini fan
- Lotion
Practical gear
- Power bank and phone charger
- Small flashlight
Why I Carry All of This
Your photos reflect how you feel. When something goes wrong and nobody has a fix, there is a version of that stress that shows up in your face and in the energy between you. When it gets handled quietly and quickly, you move on. You stay present. You get the photos and experience you came for.
None of the items in this kit are things I hope to use. But I have used almost all of them, and I have watched the relief on people’s faces when something that could have been a problem simply was not. The crochet hook, the toupee tape, the safety pins that took in a dress that was running slightly large on a Colorado ridgeline. Small things that let couples get back to what they came for.
This is part of what I mean when I say I show up prepared. It is not just camera equipment. It is the whole day.
Key Takeaways
- My elopement kit covers dress emergencies, body comfort, beauty touch-ups, and practical gear so couples can stay present instead of problem-solving.
- Toupee tape holds better than fashion tape for dress and strap emergencies because it is engineered for stronger, longer hold through heat and sweat.
- Electrolyte packets matter more at Colorado’s elevation than most couples expect, where dehydration sets in faster and altitude affects energy.
- Small problems handled quickly do not become the thing you remember about your day.
- Most photographers do not carry anything close to this. When you book with me, you do not have to think about what happens if something goes wrong. You just get to get married.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you bring this kit to every elopement?
Yes. What comes in my backpack and what stays in the car depends on the route and the day’s plans. We’ll talk through what needs to be with us on the trail.
My kit covers dress emergencies, comfort and body needs, beauty touch-ups, and practical gear, whether we’re hiking to an alpine lake at sunrise or driving to a scenic overlook at sunset.
Does every elopement photographer bring a kit like this?
What photographers carry varies. This is something I’ve built intentionally over time because I believe showing up prepared is part of the job. It’s worth asking your photographer what they bring and what you should pack yourself.
What is the most useful item in your kit?
Toupee tape. It sounds unexpected, but it has come through for me on slipping straps, gaping necklines, and everything in between. It’s my personal favorite of the tapes I’ve tried. Second best is safety pins.
Do I still need to pack my own emergency items?
Yes. My kit is a backup system, not a replacement for your own preparation. You should still pack the things personal to you: your specific medications, your preferred lip color, and any comfort items that matter to you.
Think of my kit as the safety net underneath your own packing. You can start with the Colorado Elopement Packing Checklist (PDF).
What happens if something goes wrong with my dress on elopement day?
Tell me right away. I carry tape, safety pins, a sewing kit, a crochet hook, and wrinkle release spray. Many small dress issues can be managed with the right tools and a few minutes. We’ll choose an approach that suits the fabric and the problem.
Is it weird to ask a photographer what they bring on elopement day?
Not at all. It’s a smart question that tells you a lot about how someone shows up for their couples. I’m always happy to talk through what I carry and how I prepare for a day in the mountains.
Ready to Elope in Colorado?
Knowing your photographer has this handled is one less thing on your mental list. But the kit is only part of it. When you book with me, you get someone who has thought through the details of a Colorado mountain elopement from the logistics to the light to the gear you did not know you would need.
If you are ready to start planning, head to my elopement info page to learn how I work with couples and what to expect from your day. I would love to hear what you are envisioning.
