No matter how meticulously you plan your wedding day, the chances are that something could go wrong. It could rain on the day, you could be late to the service, or you could even have a wardrobe malfunction!
The first thing to remember if something does go wrong on your wedding day is to relax. Depending on what it is, the chances are that you’re not going to remember it one month, or even one week down the track. What matters is that you have an amazing day with your nearest and dearest. Stressing about the little things doesn’t matter in the long run (though we do know that’s easier said than done!)
Being prepared for your wedding day doesn’t just come with making sure you’ve booked all your suppliers and confirmed your details. It’s also useful to set yourself up for the day with your own special emergency wedding kit. Especially if you’re travelling to your wedding location and have to stay over the night before.
So here are our tips on what the most important bits and pieces to pack for your wedding day are to make sure you’re prepared for any event. Just in case.
Safety pins
It doesn’t matter if it’s your dress, one of the bridesmaid’s dresses, or even one of your guests. The chances are that someone is going to have a slight wardrobe mishap on your day. Having a stash of safety pins on hand means that you can quickly repair that broken zipper, misaligned strap or, heaven forbid, even that hole that someone’s high heels just put in the train of your dress. Safety pins are useful for wardrobe repairs for anyone, which is why they’re number one on our list.
Tissues
Let’s face it, the chances that you’re going to get emotional and blubber on your big day are about 80%. Prepare yourself by having some tissues ready for the inevitable! Weddings are emotional, and no more so than when you get to tie the knot with the love of your life. Having some tissues on your person just in case is a great way to make sure you keep your makeup looking fresh (remember to dab not wipe!), while having some extras on hand means you can also dish them out to your mother-in-law when she gets emotional on the day.
Bandaids
You know those gorgeous wedding shoes you’ve bought for your big day? How much have you worn them in? It doesn’t matter how comfortable your shoes are, if you’re wearing them for the first time for a big 12 hour wedding day there’s a high chance they’ll give you blisters. Prepare yourself with some bandaids to ease the pain when this happens. Bandaids are also great to have on hand in case there are any broken glass mishaps on the dancefloor, as well as when someone gets a little too enthusiastic with the safety pins.
Body tape
If you have a strapless dress, soft lace high neck or something that’s quite loose in certain areas, body tape can help keep everything looking intact. There’s nothing worse than hitching your dress up all day or constantly pulling your neckline up. Regardless of whether you’ve started with tape in the morning, consider packing some extra for later in the day. You never know how much you’ll be doing and whether the original tape will lose its stickiness.
Water
We can’t say this enough, a wedding is often a large event. You’ll be starting early in the morning to get ready and likely finishing well into the night. Add to that mix hot weather, alcohol and potentially missing out on food and water and you’ll be a little bit worse for wear by the end of the day. Keep yourself hydrated with water before, after and during the event, even if you have to carry it with you.
Panadol
The same goes for panadol. If you’ve had a bit too much to drink or stayed in the sun for too long with your photos you’ll have yourself a whopper of a headache. Make sure you have some panadol or paracetamol on hand for when it all does get to be a bit too much.
Deodorant, perfume or cologne
This counts for brides and grooms! The last thing you want is to be getting close to your new spouse for your first dance and feeling well-cooked. Keep yourself fresh throughout the day with some deodorant, perfume or cologne on hand. It’s also a great excuse to get yourself a new scent for the day and keep wearing it again and again!
Lipstick
While having any makeup on hand for repairs is important, we particularly advise having some lipstick with you. And not just any lipstick, but your own shade. Not everyone is the same shade, so make sure that your wedding day makeup matches your own colouring and bring along some lipstick to reapply during the day. This will be particularly useful for your photos.
Chalk
This might seem like a bit of a weird one, but pack some chalk into your emergency wedding kit. It works wonders for quick wedding dress fixes. Red wine or gravy stains on your new gown? No worries! Absorb as much of the stain as possible with a towel, paper towel or tissue and rub some chalk on the mark. Then get back out on that dancefloor!
Mini sewing kit
A more advanced way of making sure you can carry out emergency wardrobe repairs is by having a mini sewing kit on hand. While safety pins can be great for a quick fix, a few stitches here and there between ceremony and reception could mean the difference between staying out all night or having another malfunction.
Bonus Items
If there’s room in your bag, or you want to pack a larger emergency wedding kit for your day, we recommend adding the following.
Flats
Not all of us can spend an entire day wearing wedding heels. Pack yourself some flat shoes to change into once the formal parts of the wedding are done and dusted. Your feet will thank you for it.
Lint roller
Keep your clothes looking fresh by making sure there are no bits and pieces on your dress throughout the day. You never know whether that bolero is going to shed or if it’s going to be a particularly windy day that’s going to blow more grit your way.
Snacks
From starting early in the morning to your ceremony, photos and reception, there can sometimes not be too many opportunities for you to grab a bite to eat. Avoid getting ‘hangry’ and keep yourself comfortable by having a few snacks on hand. No coloured foods that could run though please!
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