A wedding planner friend once told me about a bride whose heel broke during the first dance. No backup. No one had thought to bring anything. They ended up duct-taping her shoe mid-reception.
Don’t be that bride.
A basic emergency kit can prevent minor problems from becoming memorable disasters. Most of these things cost under $10 and take up barely any space. You probably own half of them already.
Things that will definitely happen
These aren’t emergencies. They’re certainties. Plan for them.
Someone will get a headache. Pack Advil, Tylenol, and Excedrin (some people have preferences). A 50-count bottle costs $8 and solves problems all day.
Someone’s stomach will hurt. Tums or Pepto-Bismol tablets. Weddings involve stress, alcohol, and rich food. Stomachs rebel.
Makeup will need touching up. Bring oil blotting sheets, translucent powder, and your actual lipstick for touch-ups. Your makeup artist won’t be around at hour 6.
Someone will spill something on their clothes. Tide to Go pens are wedding day essentials. Get a two-pack. One will get used immediately.
Breath will need freshening. Mints or gum. Lots of it. You’ll be talking to people all day, then kissing your spouse.
Wardrobe emergencies
Broken zipper or popped button. A mini sewing kit handles most issues. Get one with multiple thread colors, small scissors, and extra buttons.
Fallen hem. Fashion tape or hem tape is faster than sewing. Stick it up, move on.
Bra strap showing. Safety pins in multiple sizes. Also useful for: broken zipper, bustle issues, pinning a bouquet, and a dozen other problems.
Dress too big/won’t stay up. Hollywood Fashion Secrets fashion tape works for securing fabric to skin. Double-sided, skin-safe.
Run in stockings. Clear nail polish stops small runs from spreading. Not a permanent fix, but buys you a few hours.
Uncomfortable shoes. Moleskin pads or blister cushions (like Band-Aid Blister Block). Apply before blisters form. Also worth having: a pair of comfortable flats for dancing.
Beauty fixes
Frizzy hair. Travel-size hairspray or anti-frizz serum. Humidity happens.
Chipped nail polish. Bring your exact polish color for touch-ups. Or pack a nail file to smooth a chip.
Unexpected shine. Blotting papers take 2 seconds and don’t mess up makeup.
Mascara smudge. Cotton swabs and a little makeup remover fix raccoon eyes from crying.
Deodorant needed. Pack a travel-size deodorant. You’d be surprised how many people forget to put it on during chaotic morning prep.
Health and comfort
Allergies acting up. Benadryl and/or a non-drowsy antihistamine like Claritin. Outdoor weddings are pollen magnets.
Paper cut or minor injury. Band-Aids in various sizes. The clear ones are less visible.
Contacts irritating. Eye drops and contact solution. Bring your glasses as a backup.
Feet killing you. Foot spray and cushion inserts help, but honestly, pack flip flops or ballet flats. Your feet will thank you at hour 10.
Back pain from standing. Thermacare heat wraps are a lifesaver during long photo sessions.
Sore throat. Throat lozenges or Chloraseptic spray. All that talking catches up.
Miscellaneous must-haves
Static cling. Static Guard spray or dryer sheets work equally well.
Phone dead. A portable phone charger. You will use your phone more than you expect. Get one with at least 10,000mAh—enough for multiple full charges.
Need an outlet but none nearby. A small extension cord lets you charge phones, steamers, or whatever else while getting ready.
Something stuck in teeth. Floss picks. Way easier than regular floss when you’re dressed up.
Need to wipe hands/face/anything. Baby wipes are the most versatile thing in your kit. Use them for everything.
Snacks. Granola bars, crackers, anything non-messy. You might not eat until 8pm otherwise.
Water bottles. The bridal party needs to stay hydrated. You need to stay hydrated.
Stain on white fabric. Chalk or white bar soap can temporarily cover a stain on white fabric until you can properly clean it.
Wrinkled fabric. A small travel steamer beats fighting a hotel iron.
The “probably won’t need but glad you have it” section
Super glue. Fixes broken jewelry, shoes, decorations—anything sudden.
Scissors. For tags, threads, tape, and a dozen other things.
Shout wipes. For stains worse than a Tide pen can handle.
Bobby pins and hair ties. Even if your hair is down, someone will need these.
Sunscreen. Outdoor ceremonies mean potential sunburn during photos.
Bug spray. If you’re getting married outside, don’t let mosquitoes crash.
Umbrella. Check the forecast, but even “10% chance” can be wrong.
How to pack it
You don’t need to buy everything new. Raid your medicine cabinet and makeup bag first.
For what you don’t have, pre-made wedding emergency kits run $25-40 and include most of the basics (sewing kit, pain relievers, fashion tape, stain remover, etc.). Not a bad starting point—just supplement with anything you specifically need.
Or build your own. A clear toiletry bag or small zippered pouch works well. You want to be able to see what’s inside without dumping everything out.
Pack it a week before the wedding. Don’t wait until the night before.
Who carries it
Give the kit to:
- Your wedding planner or day-of coordinator
- Your maid of honor
- Your mom or a trusted bridesmaid
Actually, split it. Give your MOH the beauty stuff. Give your coordinator the wardrobe and health items. That way the right kit is nearby when someone needs it.
Make sure the carrier knows what’s inside and isn’t shy about offering it. “Does anyone need Advil?” said proactively saves time.
The real advice
Most wedding day problems are small. A broken nail, a coffee stain, a headache from not eating. They feel big in the moment because everything feels big on your wedding day.
Having a kit doesn’t prevent problems. It just keeps small problems small.
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Planning your wedding day details? Don’t forget to calculate your vendor tips and prepare your tip envelopes in advance.