Q: Everyone says I need an emergency kit for the day of the wedding. But what really needs to go in it?
A: We always bring a stocked emergency kit to weddings we coordinate. We also bring a tool kit. But if your day of coordinator or venue does not provide one, here’s what you really need.
A wedding emergency kit could include any number of things, but focus on things that you, the bride, might need to get ready. Think makeup, hairspray, deodorant, body powder, rollers, hairpins, curling iron, shaving cream and razor, snack, mints, water, and your pain reliever of choice. For getting dressed, an iron (emptied of water-don’t want to drip on the dress), safety pins, body tape (prevents wardrobe malfunctions), strapless bra tape, moleskin or Band-Aids (in case of loose shoes or blisters), and scissors.
Another type of emergency kit is the one that you carry with you that day, in your purse. But since you probably don't want to carry a purse all day, these are things that you put in a little bag to give to your maid of honor or your wedding coordinator to hold for you. Things I would include in your personal emergency kit are: lipstick and powder for quick makeup touchups (you’ll be surprised how shiny you get and how faded your lipstick gets during the day), tissues or a pretty hanky (those are tears of joy, I’m sure), mints, maybe even a mini toothbrush and toothpaste (it's a long night). I like to include a shout wipe for quick stain removal, an emory board, and a piece of white chalk that can also be used to cover stains on shoes.
(In some parts of the country, brides need to carry a purse to accept monetary gifts directly from the guests. That’s pretty uncommon in the South. Most guests will put their cash or checks in a card and leave on the gift table.)
Another type of emergency is the honeymoon kit. Remember that everything you need for your honeymoon – clothes, make-up etc. -- needs to be packed and ready to go at the end of the day. You may not have time to go back to the dressing room or hotel that night, so either pack that the day before and just drop in the makeup that you need, or have a duplicate set. If the honeymoon bag is packed and ready to go, someone can just grab it and throw it in the getaway vehicle and you are on your way.
As for everyone else, I think it’s sweet when the bride gives the groom a handkerchief monogrammed with their new initials to carry that day. That’s also a nice gift for moms and mothers in law. Tins of mints with your initials are also readily available from places like Oriental Trading, and are fun to share with the rest of the wedding party. They might appreciate some snacks, too. But you don’t have to get fancy with that. Granola bars and bottles of water will suffice.
Other than that, all you really need is a smile! Because no matter what happens -- if things don't go exactly as planned, if you forget something, or if there is an actual emergency -- your smile will let everyone know that it's all okay.
A: We always bring a stocked emergency kit to weddings we coordinate. We also bring a tool kit. But if your day of coordinator or venue does not provide one, here’s what you really need.
A wedding emergency kit could include any number of things, but focus on things that you, the bride, might need to get ready. Think makeup, hairspray, deodorant, body powder, rollers, hairpins, curling iron, shaving cream and razor, snack, mints, water, and your pain reliever of choice. For getting dressed, an iron (emptied of water-don’t want to drip on the dress), safety pins, body tape (prevents wardrobe malfunctions), strapless bra tape, moleskin or Band-Aids (in case of loose shoes or blisters), and scissors.
Another type of emergency kit is the one that you carry with you that day, in your purse. But since you probably don't want to carry a purse all day, these are things that you put in a little bag to give to your maid of honor or your wedding coordinator to hold for you. Things I would include in your personal emergency kit are: lipstick and powder for quick makeup touchups (you’ll be surprised how shiny you get and how faded your lipstick gets during the day), tissues or a pretty hanky (those are tears of joy, I’m sure), mints, maybe even a mini toothbrush and toothpaste (it's a long night). I like to include a shout wipe for quick stain removal, an emory board, and a piece of white chalk that can also be used to cover stains on shoes.
(In some parts of the country, brides need to carry a purse to accept monetary gifts directly from the guests. That’s pretty uncommon in the South. Most guests will put their cash or checks in a card and leave on the gift table.)
Another type of emergency is the honeymoon kit. Remember that everything you need for your honeymoon – clothes, make-up etc. -- needs to be packed and ready to go at the end of the day. You may not have time to go back to the dressing room or hotel that night, so either pack that the day before and just drop in the makeup that you need, or have a duplicate set. If the honeymoon bag is packed and ready to go, someone can just grab it and throw it in the getaway vehicle and you are on your way.
As for everyone else, I think it’s sweet when the bride gives the groom a handkerchief monogrammed with their new initials to carry that day. That’s also a nice gift for moms and mothers in law. Tins of mints with your initials are also readily available from places like Oriental Trading, and are fun to share with the rest of the wedding party. They might appreciate some snacks, too. But you don’t have to get fancy with that. Granola bars and bottles of water will suffice.
Other than that, all you really need is a smile! Because no matter what happens -- if things don't go exactly as planned, if you forget something, or if there is an actual emergency -- your smile will let everyone know that it's all okay.
RSS Feed
