The Wedding-Day Phone + Drone Plan

You Don’t need a Wedding Photographer

Look — I’m going to say what most professional wedding photographers won’t tell you.

In 2026, smartphones and drones have gotten so advanced that DIY couples can capture stunning, pro-level shots themselves — if you’ve got the right tools and you don’t skip the fundamentals. I’ve owned over $30k in pro photo gear — and in good light, all the way through sunset, an iPhone 17 Pro Max can look shockingly similar in the final gallery people actually share.

Here’s the practical angle most couples never hear: You can pay once for a photographer and have one events worth of photos to show for it. Or you can pay less for a compact kit that elevates your own photos and video — and you keep it for your honeymoon, future trips, anniversaries, and everything after. If you’re a couple that actually enjoys documenting life, investing in a small set of tools is a smart long-term move.

The difference isn’t the camera. The difference is almost always stability, audio, and light. Get those three right and your content improves immediately. Miss them and you’ll have a lot of “we were there” proof — but far fewer moments you’ll want to replay and share.

That’s what the Wedding Gear Checklist is for. It’s the shortest path to better results with the least hassle: a few items that solve the real problems (shake, sound, and dark receptions) so your footage looks intentional instead of accidental. Buy it for the wedding, and then take it with you on the honeymoon.

Drone — Aerial “movie” shots

If you want something that actually changes the look of your wedding more than any lens or filter ever will, it’s aerial shots. A drone is the difference between “we were there” and “this looks like a movie” — the kind of moment people still remember from The Office wedding with the “Forever” aisle dance.

And if you’re thinking, “I can’t do a drone,” you probably can. Today’s drones are essentially point-and-shoot: press a button, they stabilize and record — and they can keep rolling without interruption for 17 to 43 minutes.

Wedding Gear Checklist Item	Why it’s here
DJI Neo Drone Take a look	Super compact, controller-free—palm launch with tracking for dynamic shots without fuss. Great for quick “we’re here” venue and couple highlights with almost no setup.
DJI Flip Drone Take a look	Foldable ultralight with 4K/60fps HDR and obstacle avoidance—palm takeoff, prop guards for safer bumps, perfect for easy venue overviews and tracking the couple. I own this and it’s my go-to.

Stability

Light + cinematic extras

Audio + insurance

One thing that matters more than people expect: your supporting cast. With one reliable friend or family member willing to “own” the phone or gimbal for the key moments, it can make all the difference. Give them a simple Photo Checklist and they’ll do fine. One person who’s paying attention and working the Photo Checklist will outperform five people randomly filming in panic.

Pro tip (optional): If you haven’t taken your engagement photos yet, use this kit as a rehearsal. Do a DIY engagement shoot with a friend, get comfortable with the approach, and head into the wedding day confident. If you decide you don’t want to keep the gear afterward, you can resell most items and often retain around 80% of the value.

Also read: Before-the-Wedding: The Essentials Checklist (Couples Forget This Stuff)

Before-the-Wedding Essentials Checklist

If you want the “photogenic details + chaos-proofing items couples forget” list, start here.

DJI Osmo Mobile 7P Gimbal Take a look	PCMag’s top for AI tracking on aisle walks—smooth cinema from your phone.
Insta360 Flow 2 Pro Gimbal Take a look	Compact gimbal with tripod mode; tracks dances like a pro without needing a second person to hold steady.
ShiftCam ProGrip Phone Handle Take a look	More stable handheld shots with less fatigue—especially when someone is “on duty” for long stretches.
JOBY GorillaPod Mobile Mini (phone tripod) Take a look	Small, iPhone-friendly “wrap it anywhere” tripod—perfect for creative angles and quick, stable clips without carrying a full tripod.
Peak Design Mobile Tripod Take a look	Set-and-forget stable shots for time-lapses, wide room coverage, and a locked-off angle during key moments.
Bluetooth Remote Shutter Take a look	Hands-free group photos without sprinting back and forth or trusting a shaky timer.

Ulanzi VL49 Rechargeable Mini LED Light Take a look	Small “phone light” for receptions and dark corners—faces look better instantly, and your clips stop looking muddy.
Moment Anamorphic Lens for Phone Take a look	When you want “cinematic” fast: wider, more dramatic framing and cleaner-looking motion that makes phone video feel intentional (especially for entrances, exits, and sunset clips).
Moment Wide Lens for Phone Take a look	Fits big groups and full-room moments without forcing everyone to squeeze in—or turning people at the edges into warped blobs.

DJI Mic Mini (clip-on wireless mic) Take a look	Tiny clip-on audio that makes vows and toasts sound “close” and clear—without needing a big mic setup.
SanDisk Portable SSD 2TB Take a look	Instant “insurance policy”: dump photos/videos during dinner so you’re not one lost phone away from losing everything.
Anker 737 Power Bank Take a look	Keeps phones, mics, and accessories alive all day—because the best plan in the world dies the moment your battery hits 3%.