Ever catch the sleeve of your blazer on a door jamb? Has it ever rained, destroying your perfectly coiffed hair, and all you wished you had was a hair tie to pull it back? Remember that time you spilled more of the coffee on your shirt than you drank? Your wedding day is not immune to the tricks that fate pulls on us every day. However, while you might not lose your mind over a little clothing tear on your way to work, you will probably flip out completely if you lose a silk damask covered button on the back of your wedding gown minutes before you walk down the aisle.
Taking a lesson from the Boy Scouts, be prepared! But just like other things on your wedding day that don’t involve saying “I do!“, delegate this responsibility to someone else, in this case your emergency kit should be with the Maid/Matron of Honor. She should have this “wedding first aid kit” handy throughout the day to alleviate all the things traumatic. While you should have a list of must-haves including the dress, underthings, and the rings, having a quick fix emergency preparation kit will save last-minute running around should something happen.
I have created a handful of these for different brides and have honed the items most used and needed into the following list. I use a small tote bag with clear plastic containers or Ziploc bags that show the contents as my go-to option for my Maid of Honor Emergency Kit. I always adjust the amount of the contents based on the size of the bridal party. Here’s my list; feel free to suggest others in the comment section!
Jen’s Maid of Honor Emergency Kit includes:
- Safety pins
- Duct tape…trust me, just bring it.
- Sewing kit with white thread and thread the color of the bridesmaid’s dresses
- Bobby pins and hair ties
- Brush, comb, and/or pick
- Tide to Go pen
- Entire first aid kit including bandages, blister prevention, and pain relievers
- Tailor’s sewing chalk (it helps cover stains that the Tide to Go pen can’t get out)
- Dental floss
- Button up shirt for anyone (mainly the bride) who forgot one to wear for makeup application and hair styling
- Pair of white flats (if the bride twists an ankle right before the procession, she can’t wear heels and most often can’t go barefoot!)
- Spare batteries for camera and/or battery charger with spare battery
- Cash, approximately $50 in fives and ones plus a roll of quarters ($10)
- Giant golf umbrella
- Several granola bars, fruit snacks, and little juice boxes
- Feminine hygiene products
- Lint roller
- Antacids, preferably chewable ones like Tums or Rolaids
- Crazy Glue
- Sharpie marker