Wedding Day Emergency Kit

"It's better to look ahead and prepare than to look back and regret."~Jackie Joyner Kersee


What would a wedding day be if there weren't a few tiny mishaps or snags. Whether all the excitement of the day gives you a headache or all those well meant hugs and kisses smudge your makeup, you should always have a goody bag filled with emergency supplies to keep you covered.

Be prepared for wedding day mishaps by planning ahead. Before your wedding day arrives, make sure to pack an "Emergency Kit". I believe that not only the bride should have one but even the bridesmaids would benefit from having a tiny bag of supplies or sharing one amongst the girls. I have personally seen threads on hems pulled, tiny tears on dresses, runs in stockings, runny mascara, (especially on a hot day), loose buttons, irritated and red eyes from tears, and the list goes on.

The first thing you will need to do is purchase a cosmetic bag. To be on the safe side, ensure that it is a relatively good size so that everything you will need will fit properly. You should be okay with a medium to large size bag. We all know how busy a bride can be as she gets closer to the big day so if you don't have the time to pick up all the products you will need, enlist the help of a family member, trusted friend or one of your bridesmaids to run the errand for you.

There are several places you can purchase your products from i.e. your local drugstore, health and beauty department in local grocery store, Target, Walmart, etc. My suggestion would be to buy travel size products and whatever is left over you can bring with you on your Honeymoon or save for another time. Remember to always keep your emergency kit nearby at both the ceremony and reception.

Here are a few helpful tips to keep you organized:

-Make a checklist of everything you think you will need, for peace of mind, a couple of weeks before the wedding day.

-It is a good idea to pack only makeup products that you have tested and that you are wearing on your wedding day. For example, don't pack any type of makeup you've never tried before. You never know if certain products will work negatively against your skin which could potentially result in an allergic reaction.

-Make sure that you ask someone to take care of your emergency kit. Once again, assign the responsibility to a family member, reliable friend or a bridesmaid. If your reception venue has a bridal room or suite for your convenience, it is probably a good idea to leave the bag there for safe keeping.

Here are a few items you may want to consider placing in your wedding day emergency kit bag:

-A small sewing kit is a valuable item to have. It should include needles, thread, buttons, and safety pins.

-A pack of toupee tape is great for ensuring that clothes stay in place.

-A pair of scissors come in handy especially for loose threads.

-Some stick-on instant hemming tape is wonderful and a quick fix for loose hems.

-A bottle of clear nail polish is useful for nylon runs, in case you forget to pack an extra pair.

-Make sure to pack any prescription medications. This is very important because on such a busy day it is very easy to forget to take any necessary meds.

-Extra pair of stockings.

-A piece of white chalk is excellent for covering up stains on your wedding gown.

-Breath mints.......need I say more, it's a long day!

-Dental Floss

-A tube of toothpaste and a toothbrush is useful in keeping your breath fresh and your teeth bright for pictures following a meal.

-A container of clear deodorant to keep you feeling fresh.

-A bottle of eye drops will be beneficial for irritation and red eyes often caused by crying or being tired.

-Bandages because you never know!

-Blister protection for those awesome new designer shoes.

-A bottle or pack of antacid tablets for any bout of indigestion.

-Pain relievers are great in case you develop any muscular pain.

-Blotting papers for stains or sweat

-Cotton swabs

-Tweezers

-Tissues for all the happy tears!

-Some shoe polish in case the groom or groomsmen shoes get scuffed.

-A portable umbrella in case it rains.

-A bottle of hand lotion to keep your hands lovely and smooth.

-Extra bobby pins for your hair

-A hairbrush for touching up your hairdo

-Hairspray

-Comb

-Lipstick

-Lip gloss

-lip balm

-Lip liner

-Powder

-Concealer/cover up

-A small mirror is something you should definitely carry with you. I never leave home without one.

-Emery board

-Nail polish in the shade you're wearing

-Nail polish remover

-Mascara

-A small bottle of the same perfume you are wearing on your big day.

-Blank post it notes are useful for writing important things down.

-A pen is always a necessary item. We are always looking for a pen.

-Extra corsage and boutonnière pins

-Drinking straws

-A few laundry sheets are great for eliminating static cling.

-A lint remover is great for those dark tuxedos or suits.

-Panty liners

-Tampons or pads for the unexpected!

-A stain remover stick is a great item to have on hand.

-Super glue is a great idea especially if someone's shoe heel breaks off.

These are a few suggestions to choose from. Remember it is not necessary to pack every single item from the list.

I hope this segment has been helpful. Remember, preparing a wedding day emergency kit will be a wise decision on your part. Be sure to put aside a little time to prepare one because you never know if some of those items may come in handy.