Bridesmaids, and especially the chief bridesmaid, aren’t just there to support their friend/family member on her biggest day, although the emotional back-up for the bride is important. Traditionally bridesmaids were literally that, they acted as maids for the bride, there to help her into the dress, help with her hair and makeup, and ensure that she stays looking perfect the whole day.
One the key tools for this is the bridal emergency kit. Essentially a set of tools to handle any emergency that might crop up on the wedding day, either before, during, or after the ceremony and reception. From catching the dress in a car door to a spilled glass of wine, or even a makeup disaster, things can happen and having the kit on hand will make them minor.
Essentials
The day is going to be long and the bride will have to be on her feet for a lot of it. Deodorant or perfume and wet wipes can help her feel her best during this time. Since nature doesn’t respect special days, make sure you have pads or tampons as well.
If the wedding is outside, take relevant precautions. Summer weddings are beautiful, but you don’t want sunburn to ruin the honeymoon, so pack some sunblock in the kit. Likewise for winter, handwarmers could be a lifesaver for a cold bride, and a small towel in case of rain. Don’t forget lip balm for chapped lips.
Fashion Emergencies
The most common thing you need to deal with is a fashion emergency. Popped seams, torn bustle, broken strap either on the bride’s dress or one of the bridesmaids’ dresses could be a serious problem if you can’t repair it. Having what you need on hand to make repairs is essential.
Safety pins are the single most important thing to have to hand. They really are the best thing when something happens and often mean a repair can be made before anyone notices a problem. A small sewing kit could be needed for anything a safety pin can’t. Scissors, needles, and thread. Make sure you get thread in appropriate colours, for a traditional wedding dress that means white, but if the bride or bridesmaids wear different colours, make sure you have thread to match. Fabric glue or hemming tape can be a handy thing to have as well. If the dress has buttons, then bring spares.
Beyond that, some fashion tape is a must if any of the dresses are strapless or have plunging necklines. Clear nail varnish to handle any snags in tights to prevent them turning into runs. A stain remover pen or two, a lint roller, and some anti-static spray to keep the dress immaculate all day. Don’t forget replacement earring backs if any of the bridal party are wearing earrings that might lose theirs.
Shoe accidents can be a real problem. While the bride probably wants to be able to change into flats in the evening, it can be difficult to deal with problems during the wedding ceremony. Broken straps or heels typically aren’t something you can easily fix, so keeping a backup pair in the car is a good idea.
Hair & Makeup Emergencies
After having her makeup done beautifully before the wedding, the last thing the bride wants is to have a problem with it. The stress and emotion of the day can cause sweat and tears that deal to be dealt with. Oil blotters and tissues are essential, but you should also make sure you have eyeliner, lipstick, lip liner, concealer, eyelash glue, setting powder or spray, cotton buds, and makeup remover on hand.
Don’t forget your nails, a nail file, clippers, and bottle of nail polish in your chosen colour, and glue for any detached false nails. As for wedding emergencies with hair, you can do a lot with a hairbrush and a few bobby pins. If the hairstyles the bridal party are wearing demand it, don’t forget hair spray or gel as well.
First Aid Emergencies
It’s a stressful, busy day and things happen, so make sure to keep on top of anything that does happen. Plasters are an essential, both for any little accidents and blister plasters for feet in beautiful shoes. Antiseptic wipes and some painkillers that the everyone can take, paracetamol or ibuprofen are generally safe options there.
Antacids can be helpful for dealing with the inevitable natural consequences of the stress of the day. It might not count as first aid, but eye drops are likely to be necessary for all the people who are trying to hold back the tears, especially the bride.
…And the Rest
A phone charger and/or power bank should be in the kit since a mishap that requires a phone call to sort out could turn into a stressful disaster if it’s worsened by a dead phone. The day is going to be a long one, so a snack bar or two so the bride can keep going as well as a bottle of water and straws for the bride to take a drink without ruining her lipstick.
One thing that you need to keep on hand is a copy of the full itinerary for the day, including times and a full list of the vendors and contacts for the venue’s organiser. Just to keep everyone on schedule and within reach in case anything isn’t right.