I’ve helped plan, assist and been a part of plenty of weddings to know the ins and outs of what should be in a day-of-wedding emergency kit. For starters, stop overanalyzing the big day whether or not you’re the bride, maid of honor or groomsmen. I’ve seen it all, trust me! From the huge bags to the coin wallet sized holders. You don’t need anything too dramatic or too big for that matter. You need something that comes in handy and won’t be ridiculous to hold or carry.
For women, grab a medium sized makeup bag. It’s not overly obnoxious and it won’t be a hassle to bring with you. For men, lucky for you guys, you can fit most items in your pocket but for those who want to be extra cautious, you can get a “hygiene bag” which is pretty much a shaving kit bag.
When it comes to what items make the cut in your emergency kit, the most important advice I have is to be realistic! What most people don’t understand is that their emergency kit is technically only used for the ceremony. Your goal is to look perfect for pictures! At the reception, you’ll be able to have access to your personal belongings so the emergency kit is usually only used prior to the ceremony. I once had someone in the bridal party bring every over the counter medication in case of headache, allergies, cough, etc. As nice as that was, totally unnecessary!
The items I suggest are: Shout wipes or Shout pen stain remover. Things happen and sometimes you get stains and have no recollection of how you got them so its important to have a stain remover handy, especially if you’re wearing any type of white! You’ll need a small pack of Kleenex tissues for any accidents that you can’t prevent or you can use them wipe away makeup stains. Hand sanitizer is a must because sometimes you touch things and can’t have access to a sink or soap in order to wash your hands. You’ll need a compact first aid kit that only includes bandaids and ointment. I once had a bridesmaid fall down on her knees when she was in heels and she needed a quick fix right away. A compact mirror is a must need to fix your hair and makeup. Bring a small foldable brush and your makeup. A mini sewing kit and safety pins just in case clothing decides to fail on you. White chalk is quick fix for smudges on wedding dresses and mens shoes!
Items to avoid: Under any and all circumstances, leave the food and drinks at home! I’ve seen it happen plenty of times where someone in the bridal party brings food or drinks and they’ve all ended up in complete utter disasters. The only food and drinks that I suggest are appropriate would be breath mints and water because even gum can have dangerous endings. By leaving these items, you’re saving yourself from stains galore and messiness! It’s okay to have medicine but you don’t need to buy every type from the Pharmacy. I would suggest a small amount of aspirin and stomach pain reliever. All emergency kits should be small, compact and easy to carry around. Keep that in mind when you plan because it doesn’t need to be over the counter with every item in the world. Think of realistic emergency situations because I’m pretty not many people come across situations where they need the unrealistic items like duct tape, shovel, or a container of gas. When you pack, remember you are only thinking or yourself!
With all of my tips and suggestions, you’re on your way to planning a successful day-of-wedding emergency kit! Happy day-of-wedding emergency kit planning!