What to Bring in Your Wedding Day Emergency Bag
No matter how well you plan your wedding, little surprises can happen throughout the day. A loose button, a headache, dry lips, or a forgotten phone charger aren't enough to ruin your wedding, but having a few essentials nearby can make those moments much less stressful.
When I got married, I packed an emergency bag with everything I thought we might need. Thankfully, we didn't use all of it, but knowing it was there gave me peace of mind. Whether you ask your maid of honor to carry it or keep it in the bridal suite, this is one wedding day item you'll be glad you packed.
Phone Chargers
Your phone will be working overtime between vendor calls, messages from family, and guests trying to reach you. Your phone should be passed onto someone else, but they may need the charger for you!
Pack every charger you might need, including:
Lightning charger
USB-C charger
Portable battery pack (optional)
Even if you plan to put your phone away once you're partying, someone in your bridal party will probably appreciate having an extra charger.
A Small Sewing Kit
Buttons pop off. Bustles break. Straps come loose.
Those tiny scissor will be used by every woman who hasn't cut the hanger holders off her dress.
A small sewing kit doesn't take up much space, but it can save the day if a quick repair is needed.
Medicine Bag
Wedding days are long, and it's always nice to be prepared.
My emergency bag included:
Adult ibuprofen
Children's ibuprofen (great for little ones attending your wedding)
Tums
Bandages for heels
Eyedrops
Hopefully no one needs them, but if they do, you'll be glad they're nearby.
Makeup Touch-Up Supplies
Even the best makeup can need a little refreshing after a few happy tears.
Consider packing:
Makeup wipes
Lash glue
Q-tips
Chapstick
Whether you're fixing mascara, reapplying lip color, or moisturizing dry lips, these small items can make a big difference.
Bobby Pins and Safety Pins
If I had to guess which items get borrowed the most, it'd probably be these.
A few extra bobby pins can fix loose hair, while safety pins are great for dresses, boutonnieres, and just about anything else that decides to stop cooperating.
Liquid IV and Water
Wedding days can be busy, emotional, and sometimes very warm.
Staying hydrated helps you feel your best from getting ready all the way through the dance floor.
Packing a few packets of Liquid IV is an easy way to stay ahead of dehydration, especially during summer weddings.
Deodorant
It sounds obvious until someone realizes they forgot it.
Throw an extra stick in your emergency bag. Chances are someone in your bridal party will thank you.
Glasses Cleaner
If you or someone in your wedding party wears glasses, don't forget a microfiber cloth or glasses cleaner.
Clean lenses make a surprising difference in photos and help you see everything a little more clearly throughout the day.
Tissues
There will probably be happy tears.
Pack tissues for yourself, your family, and your wedding party. They don't take up much room, and they're almost always used.
Tide To-Go Pen
This was the most important item on my wedding day and others I have attended. For food, mud, drinks, makeup, and anything else you manage to get on your clothes.
Your Wedding Timeline
Print a few copies of your timeline instead of relying on your phone.
Give one to your maid of honor, best man, parents, planner or coordinator, and anyone else helping throughout the day.
That way everyone knows where they're supposed to be without having to ask.
Bring Your Wedding Binder
If you've created a wedding binder, bring it with you.
Mine held just about everything:
Vendor contact information
Final timeline
Family photo list
Seating chart
Ceremony details
Reception schedule
Contracts
Payment reminders
Important notes
VOWS AND SPEECHES
Hopefully you won't need to open it very often, but if a question comes up, you'll know exactly where to find the answer.
A Few Extra Ideas
Every wedding is different, but here are a few other items worth considering:
Fashion tape
Mints or gum
Extra earrings or jewelry backs
Blotting papers
Lint roller
Static spray
Snacks with protein
Bottle of water
Breath mints
You may never use most of these, but they're nice to have just in case.
Real Wedding Stories
If you're wondering whether you'll actually use anything in your emergency bag, the answer is... probably.
About five minutes before I was supposed to walk down the aisle at my own wedding, one of my bridesmaids accidentally dropped liquid blush on the front of my dress.
Was it ideal? Definitely not. Did I panic? Surprisingly, no.
We immediately grabbed wet wipes, makeup remover, and a Tide Pen from my emergency bag, and within a few minutes my bridesmaids were sure there was no evidence it had ever happened. If we hadn't packed those items ahead of time, it would have been a much more stressful situation.
Another wedding reminded me why it's always worth packing a few extra supplies.
My cousin had plenty of fashion tape in her emergency kit and ended up lending it out throughout the day to other bridesmaids and guests. Later that evening, she even accidentally splattered dinner sauce on the front of her dress.
Someone suggested using a stain-removing chalk stick, but honestly, it didn't do much. We reached for the Tide Pen instead, and it worked much better. The chalk may work for some stains or fabrics, but after seeing it firsthand, I'd never skip packing a Tide Pen.
The funny thing about emergency bags is that you never know what item is going to save the day. It might not even be for you. Sometimes it's your bridal party, your parents, or even another guest who ends up needing something you've packed.
Final Thoughts
The goal of an emergency bag isn't to expect something to go wrong. It's to be prepared if it does.
A few simple supplies can solve most little hiccups before they become big problems, allowing you to get back to enjoying your wedding day.
If you don't want to carry it yourself, ask your maid of honor, best man, parent, or wedding coordinator to keep track of it throughout the day.
Hopefully you'll only need a tissue or some chapstick, but having everything together means one less thing to worry about.
Planning Your Wedding?
Every couple who books with me receives a wedding planning guide filled with tips to help the day run as smoothly as possible. From building your timeline to preparing your details and packing your emergency bag, I'm always happy to share what I've learned from photographing weddings across Michigan.
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