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It's time to walk down the aisle! You've spent months planning every detail to make sure that your wedding day goes off without a hitch–from the flowers and decor to the perfectly-placed escort cards. However, no matter how much you prepare, minor mishaps—especially of the fashion and beauty variety—are bound to happen over the course of the evening. So it's a good idea to have a little stash of helpful items on hand in case you need them while you're getting ready or during the after-party festivities. Enter, the wedding day emergency kit.
"[An emergency kit] gives you peace of mind just in case the tiniest thing goes awry," says expert wedding planner Cathleen Holloway. Her top three items to include in your kit are safety pins, mints, and wine out so you can feel fresh and keep stains away from your gorgeous white gown until the festivities are done. Whether your kit is stored in your Maid of Honor's clutch or in a special reception-ready bag, you'll feel more at ease knowing you have the gear in case something—whether it's a broken button or a blister—comes up.
To help you stock your kit with everything you might need on the big day, we've researched and handpicked the must-have items for anything that could go wrong (just in case). For keeping your bridal ensemble wedding ready, the Hollywood Fashion Secrets Fashion Tape Tin and Tide To Go Instant Stain Remover are our top picks. Dealing with aches from your wedding heels? Dr. Scholl's Tri-Comfort Insoles will keep you comfortably on your feet.
Meet the Expert
Cathleen Holloway is the Founder and Creative Director of Holloway Events, a Houston-based events planning service that throws exquisite weddings, parties, and celebrations throughout the United States.
Read on for everything you need for the ultimate wedding day emergency kit.
Best Sanitary Product: That Party Chick Personalized Hand Sanitizer Bottles and Labels
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Hand sanitizer is a must-have for your wedding clutch. Instead of a boring old bottle from the drugstore, go all-out with these custom ones—and get one for all your guests! It's a great favor that will both keep them safe from germs and will remind them of the big day.
Best for Dress Mishaps: Hollywood Fashion Secrets Fashion Tape Tin
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Courtesy of Amazon
If you or your bridal party plan to rock dresses with a deep-V, double-stick fashion tape will be your best friend. It'll keep everything in place while you walk down the aisle and hit the dance floor at the reception.
Best for Spills: Tide Tide To Go Instant Stain Remover, 3 Count
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Courtesy of Amazon
A stain remover pen or wipe is essential for your wedding prep arsenal (not to mention your everyday bag!). No matter how careful you are, someone is going to spill something, somewhere, over the course of the night.
Best for Wardrobe Emergencies: TUPARKA Gold Safety Pins
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Safety pins can help with just about any fashion emergency, from a broken bra strap to a torn hemline. Make sure to have a range of sizes available so you'll be ready for anything, and go for this gold option to keep things subtle beneath the fabric of your dress.
Best for Outfit Prep: Flint Retractable Lint Roller
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Courtesy of The Container Store
Make sure that your wedding party stays fuzz-free. This petite lint catcher nestles inside itself so it stays clean and ready to roll. Use it when you're getting ready and before the ceremony to ensure everyone is photo ready!
Best Hair Necessity: SexyHair Big Spray & Play Volumizing Hairspray
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Don't waste money on static-guard—just keep a bottle of hairspray in your suite. This double-duty accessory will take care of any clingy fabric on your dress and help with any last minute touch-ups after the hairdresser leaves.
Best Morning-of Tool: Cirrus No.2 Steamer
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Courtesy of West Elm
You may have a big steamer for your wedding dress, but it doesn't hurt to have a smaller version for your bridal party to use while they're getting ready. Wrinkles and creases will come out in a flash with this sleek, travel-sized gadget.
Best for Comfort: Dr. Scholl's Tri-Comfort Insoles
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You've found the cutest shoes—the last thing you want is to be limping off the dance floor with sore feet. These cushiony inserts will help keep you going until the wee hours of the night.
Best for Smooching Your Spouse: Burts Bees Beeswax Lip Balm
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Courtesy of Ulta
You won't realize you need lip balm until you really need it. This classic will keep your lips feeling refreshed after hours of talking to guests and smooching your new spouse.
Best for Blisters: Compeed Anti-Blister Stick
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Make sure to have a blister stick on-hand to protect your heels and toes, especially if you and your girls are wearing brand new shoes. Just swipe it on before the ceremony and enjoy a pain-free night!
Best for Wedding Jewelry: A New Day Multi Parts Rubber Disc Earring Backs
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Avoid spending the final pre-ceremony moments crawling on the floor looking for the one earring that got away. Instead, keep some extra jewelry backings on hand just in case. We love this option because it comes with clear, silver, or gold backs that match any jewelry aesthetic.
Best for Rips and Tears: Crafter's Friend Mini Sewing Kit
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Courtesy of Amazon
Bring along a small set of sewing supplies in case a button pops off or you notice any loose strings that need to be taken care of. This compact one zips up into a convenient pouch so it's easy to tote and keep contained.
Best for Bad Breath: Tic Tac On-the-Go Freshmints
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Between the champagne, reception meal, and wedding cake, it's hard to keep your mouth feeling fresh. Keep these handy little mints in your bridal clutch so you don't have to worry about your breath while you're mingling with your guests.
Best for Wrinkles: The Laundress Crease Release
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Keep this wrinkle-release spray on hand throughout the day for your wedding dress, bridesmaids' dresses, and men's suits. It's small enough to pack in a clutch, so you can keep your garments looking fresh from start to finish.
Best for Stomach Aches: TUMS Antiacid Tablets
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Endless champagne toasts and sweet treats are sure to lead to some uncomfortable stomach pains. Stay feeling 100 percent by taking a TUMS Antiacid Tablet as soon as those cramps kick in.
Best for Flyaways: Goody Ouchless Hair Bobby Pins
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Letting loose on the dance floor will certainly cause some flyaways, and these pain-free bobby pins will help put them back into place. Plus, for outdoor weddings, these will come in handy if any unexpected wind strikes before your ceremony.
Best for BTS Footage: Anker Portable Charger
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Amazon
You of course don't want to spend your wedding day on your phone, but your bridal party is sure to be snapping tons of behind-the-scenes getting-ready footage you can look back on when the festivities are done. This will ensure that everyone's phones are charged for every photo and video op that presents itself throughout the day.
Best for Preparation: Band-Aid Flexible Fabric Adhesive Bandages
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From blisters on your feet to shattered champagne glasses, it's important to be ready for any accidents to come on the big day. Keep a few Band-Aid bandages with you in case something unexpected comes up (or your heels need a little extra comfort).
Best for Outdoor Weddings: Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch
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Getting married outside in the summer? Avoid sunburns and protect your skin by applying SPF–not just in the morning, but several times throughout the day! You'll be grateful you put this in your emergency kit when you wake up the next day without aching or pink skin.
Most Versatile: Q-Tips Cotton Swab
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You simply never know when you might need a Q-tip! Whether you're wiping away smudged eyeliner from all the happy tears or you need any last-minute touch-ups, these are a must in your wedding day emergency kit.
What to Look for When Shopping for Emergency Wedding Kit Items
Prevention and Repair
Having a wedding emergency kit on-hand is all about being prepared, so you can relax and fully enjoy your special day. Therefore, you'll want to look for useful items that can either prevent or fix any issues that might happen. For example, preventative measures might include putting on Dr. Scholl's Tri-Comfort Insoles and using the Compeed Anti-Blister Stick before walking down the aisle.
On the other hand, considering emergency kit items that can help repair anything that has already gone wrong is also essential. Whether your bridesmaid gets a rip in her dress or your perfect updo falls loose on the dance floor, predicting any mishaps ahead of time will help you curate the ultimate wedding day kit.
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