As we dive head-first into the middle of October (holy cow!), we’re continuing on with this month’s theme of organization. We couldn’t talk about organization, though, without touching on the good ol’ wedding emergency kit. Every planner has one, and chances are you’ve tweaked and perfected yours over the years, but we still get tons of questions about the ins and outs of these ever-essential carry-alls. Today, then, we’re breaking down the essentials for you. So get that wheely bag out now and start taking inventory! (Psst...need to go back to basics before we dive deep? Check out our Wedding Kit Breakdown first.)
What to Keep Where
Before we get into the actual items you should include in your kit, I want to touch on a topic I constantly get asked about—what to keep where. With hotels/bridal suites often being a decent distance from the area where you’re setting up, ensuring both you and your bride/groom have access to all of the last-minute items you’ll need can be tricky. So, over the years I learned to separate my kits.
I now have both a production kit (that I keep with me) and a kit for the bride/groom/wedding party (that I keep with the bride). I also, learned, however, to not leave the kit unattended with the bride, as it is likely to get raided by well-meaning bridesmaids who stash the items in their owns bags just in case they need them later on in the event. Again, totally well meaning, but it also means I end up with an empty (and disheveled kit)—so I now keep that kit with a staff member near the bride. That way, when the bride texts me asking for something, I can get it to her quickly by alerting the nearby staff member, without interrupting my setup time.
Essential Items
Below is a list of all of my must-have wedding kit essentials, all of which have saved my (and my brides’) lives at one point or another.
Bride’s Kit:
- Mini Emergency Kit (just the essentials—like band aids, antiseptic cleaning wipes, neosporin, etc.)
- Mini Sewing Kit (Pre-threaded for quick fixes)
- Tissue Pack
- Mini Manicure Kit (nail clippers, nail file, nail buffer)
- Nail Polish Remover
- Clear Nail Polish
- Mini Shoe Shine Kit
- Lint Rollers
- “Wine Away” Red Wine Stain Remover
- Grandma’s Secret Spot Remover
- Cotton Balls & Q-Tips
- Sunscreen & Bug Repellant Stick
- Lotion
- Tylenol or Pain Reliever (be sure to keep an eye on the expiration date)
- Dental Floss
- Tampons / Feminine Care
- Bobby Pins (in black, brown and blonde)
- Hair Elastics / Rubber Bands (in black, brown and blonde)
- Mini Hair Spray
- Deodorant Wipes
- Scholl’s Shoe Pad Tape
- Tweezers
- Moisturizing Hand Sanitizer Wipes / Baby Wipes
- Makeup Remover Towelettes
- Makeup Sponge/Wedges
- Band Aids
- Safety Pins
- Pearl Pins
- Extra earring backs
- Oil-Blotting Paper
- Benadryl (be sure to keep an eye on the expiration date)
- Pepto Bismol Tablets (be sure to keep an eye on the expiration date)
- Shout Stain Remover Wipes
- Rubber bands (in black, brown, nude)
- Double-Stick Tape Matchsticks / Hem or Garment Tape / Body Adhesive Tape
- Mini Mirror
- Diamond Hair Pick/Comb
- Cufflinks
- Black Dress Socks (for men)
- White Chalk (to cover up stains on your bride's wedding dress)
- Mini Attire Scissors
- Straws
- Hard Candies (something that won't stain their tongue—I usually opt for Werther's original hard candies).
- Breath Mints
Planner’s/Production Kit:
- Johnson & Johnson All-Purpose First Aid Kit
- Tissue Packs
- Business Cards (this is a must!)
- Mini tool kit (screwdriver, swiss knife)
- Lace-up Hook (for corset dresses)
- Static Guard
- Mini Goo-B-Gone
- Breath Mints
- Disposable Wisp Toothbrushes (no separate toothpaste required)
- Eye Drops
- Heel Protectors (for walking on grass)
- Glucose Gel
- Pens & Pencils
- Permanent Markers & Highlighters
- Pin Container with Safety Pins / Pearl Pins / Straight Pins / Floral Pins
- Blue Envelopes (for vendor gratuity)
- Generic Wedding Cards
- Sunscreen
- Tylenol / Pain Reliever (keep an eye on the expiration date)
- Benadryl / Allergy medication (non-drowsy)
- Tums / Pepto-Bismol
- Mosquito Repellant
- Baby Powder
- Anti-chafe Skin Balm
- Multiple Stick Lighters
- Heavy Duty Flashlights (always check batteries beforehand)
- AAA & AA Batteries
- Mini Tape Measure
- 25’ Tape Measure / Rolling Measure / Laser Measure
- Mirror & Powder Compact
- Bottle Opener / Wine Key (with foil cutter)
- Small Zip-Loc Baggies
- Refillable Baby Wipes Container (keep an eye on when this needs to be replaced)
- White & Black Zip Ties (varied sizes)
- A Roll of Baker's Twine (perfect for lining up the aisle or a row of chairs)
- Green Outdoor Extension Cord
- Power Strip
- Cake Knife & Serving Set
- Box of Tea Light Candles
- Hot Glue Gun & Glue Sticks
- Gorilla Glue
- Glue Dots
- Wind Clips
- Staple Guns & Staples
- Portable Umbrellas
- Plastic Forks, Knives, Spoons, Straws
- Garbage Bags (in clear, white, and grey—all in various sizes)
- Assorted Tape: Duct Tape, Gaff Tape, Scotch Tape, Double Sided Tape, Blue Painter's Tape (for labeling tables/chair counts during set up)
- Box Cutters / Utility Knife and Scissors (assorted, including extra sharp scissors designated for ribbon)
- Floral Wire, Floral Tape, Pruning Sheers, Stem Cutters and Wire Cutters
- Satin Ribbon (to match the event's color palette, white and ivory)
- Phone Charger / Mophie Battery Pack (for recharging my mobile devices on the go)
- Handheld Steamer
- Downy Wrinkle Spray
- Snacks (in case you run out of time to take a lunch break - like Energy Bars, Granola Bars)
- Water Bottle (staying hydrated is key!)
Cheers—to being the most organized (and prepared) person at the venue! What's in your emergency kit???
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