Trust us, you don't want to be stuck without these essentials.
While you certainly don't want to expect any emergencies on your wedding day, it's always better to be safe than sorry. To prepare for small beauty blunders or fashion mishaps, have a wedding day emergency kit on hand. This is an essential wedding planning task that shouldn't be forgotten. In fact, some planners say that making a wedding day survival kit is one of the most important things to complete before the celebration. So, what exactly should you put in a wedding day emergency kit? And who should hold it throughout the day? We tapped experts to answer all of your wedding emergency kit questions. Use this as your go-to guide when making your kit to prevent last-minute emergencies.
What Should Be in a Wedding Day Emergency Kit?
Choosing what to include in your wedding day emergency kit might feel overwhelming at first. While you can't predict every scenario that might happen on your wedding day, it's helpful to talk it out with your S.O. and your wedding planner or coordinator. "Walk through the day and consider 'what if' situations," suggests Cassy Anderson of Cassy Rose Events. "Then, pack items that'll help you solve potential problems you can identify."
DressWeights
Yes, DressWeights are a real thing, and they're a wedding day must-have if you'll be swapping vows in a windy climate. "DressWeights are the one product you're going to wish you had thought of getting for an outdoor or destination wedding where the wind plays tricks on your guests' and bridesmaids' dresses," says Christina Dunn, founder of DressWeights. While your actual wedding dress skirt might not succumb to the wind, the weights—which can be discreetly stuck to the interior hem of a skirt—are handy for rehearsal dinner dresses, reception outfits, and even bridesmaid gowns. "DressWeights are a wedding day wardrobe staple, and you'll be happy you had them in your bridal emergency kit. Just peel, stick and strut back onto the dance floor."
Jewelry Cleaner
Your jewelry should be in top shape for your wedding day, so pack a cleaning kit in your emergency bag. "Apart from an engagement party, your wedding day is when friends and family actually take your hand and hold your rings up to their face for a good look," says Hannah Peck, founder of Juli Diamond Cleaning System. "Photographers and videographers also shoot close-ups of the rings, so it'll be easy to see if your jewelry isn't clean. Your diamond's sparkle can't be captured in an image or video if dulling grime and deposits are blocking the light from bouncing around in your stone."
Peck recommends including a jewelry cleaning device in your emergency kit to give your rings a deep cleanse on the morning of your wedding. Ask your maid of honor to handle diamond cleaning duties while you get your hair and makeup done.
Sewing Kit
Stitch minor rips or snags with a small sewing kit. You don't have to be a seamstress to make simple fixes to a wedding dress or bridesmaid gown. In case you (or someone in your wedding party) has a minor fashion faux pas, you'll be thankful to have a needle and thread on hand. We recommend buying a few spools of thread in colors that match your wedding dress and the bridal party's outfits to be safe.
Makeup for Touch-Ups
During your hair and makeup trial with your glam squad, determine what products you'll be wearing on the big day so you can stock up on a few travel-size pieces. Your makeup might shift throughout the ceremony and reception, but you can prolong your look by having a few key products in your bridal emergency kit. Blotting pads, concealer, mascara and setting spray are all helpful toiletries to have nearby. Makeup artists will often provide a small vial of the bride's lip color for reapplication. Give this to maid of honor for lip touch-ups before big moments like family portraits or the reception entrance.
Extra Earrings
You might not think backup earrings are necessary, especially if you've selected a special pair for your big day. But a smaller, more comfortable set can actually be a major lifesaver, especially if your original earrings are heavy on your earlobes. Backups will also come in handy if an earring breaks or gets lost during the day's events. You can never have too many earring backs either—throw a handful of extras in your tote for yourself and your bridesmaids.
In addition to these larger items, fill your wedding survival kit with small toiletries and handy essentials. Use our checklist below to ensure that your emergency bag has everything you could possibly need.
- Printed copy of the wedding day timeline
- Safety pins
- Bobby pins
- Band-aids
- Floss
- Hairspray
- Deodorant
- Nail polish & remover
- Clear nail polish
- Tampons or pads
- Fashion tape
- Pain reliever
- Antacids
- Super glue
- Baby powder
- Lint roller
- Hand lotion
- Sunscreen
- Bug spray
- Tweezers
- Q-tips
- Toothbrush & toothpaste
- Static guard
- Portable phone charger
- Tissues
- Small snacks (like granola bars or crackers)
- Blister balm
- Stain remover
- Scissors
- Mints
- Hair ties
- Lip balm