How to Make a Bridal Emergency Kit

Image of woman wearing a wedding ball gown.

Also sometimes called a wedding day survival kit, a bridal emergency kit usually contains a variety of items to help brides and the bridal party maintain their fresh looks and tackle any sudden spills, rips, or other issues that might pop up on the big day. That might feel like a pretty tall order to prepare for, but with Avery Austin’s tips and bridal emergency kit list, you can pick and choose the items that make the most sense for you and your event. Read right on through to pick up all of the advice offered in this article about making the best wedding day emergency kit, or click one of the links below to jump right to the checklist or topic that interests you most.

What to Put in a Wedding Day Emergency Kit
Wedding Dress Emergency Kit Checklist
Bridal Emergency Kit Checklist
When to Pack a Bridal Emergency Kit
Who is Responsible for the Wedding Day Emergency Kit?

What to Put in a Wedding Day Emergency Kit

When deciding what to put in your wedding day emergency kit, there are a few factors to consider. First, will this be a general bridal emergency kit for the whole bridal party to use, or will it be a wedding dress emergency kit that focuses only on items to help you maintain or fix your gown as needed? Many brides choose to cover a little bit of everything in one big bag, but if you need to keep your bridal emergency kit small, you could prioritize by need.

Another thing to consider when making your wedding day emergency kit is to take your location and weather into account. If you’ll be outdoors in warm weather, you may need additional items like bug spray, bite ointment, sunscreen, or umbrellas. On the other hand, colder venues might call for extra layers, hand and feet warmers, or a change of comfortable or weather-proof shoes.

Ultimately, every bride’s wedding day emergency kit is going to look a little bit different. So, as you look over the checklists below, decide which items will make the best bridal emergency kit for you, then build your personalized kit.

Wedding Dress Emergency Kit Checklist

  • Sewing kit & scissors
  • Portable steamer
  • Lint roller
  • Fashion tape (can temporarily fix ripped hems and seams or secure loose fabric)
  • Safety pins
  • Stain remover (pens, wipes, baby powder, white chalk)
  • Static guard
  • Super glue (temporary quick repairs for broken heels and accessories)
  • Clear wax stick (for stuck zippers)
  • Nylons (removing deodorant marks)
  • Clear nail polish (stops snags in nylons from growing)

Bridal Emergency Kit Checklist

Makeup

  • Any makeup you wear (for touch-ups)
  • Blotting pads
  • Lip balm
  • Cotton swabs
  • Baby wipes or makeup remover wipes
  • Mirror

Back-Ups

  • Change of shoes
  • Back-up jewelry (to replace a lost/broken piece or an especially precious or uncomfortable set worn for ceremony)
  • Extra contacts or back-up pair of glasses

General Body Care

  • Mini first aid kit
  • Healthy (mess-free) snacks & water
  • Medications (allergy, antacid, pain relievers, etc)
  • Menstrual products
  • Tissues
  • Perfume
  • Deodorant

Eye Care

  • Moisturizing eye drops
  • Glasses
  • Glasses cleaning spray and cloth
  • Glasses Repair Kit
  • Contact case
  • Contact cleaning solution

Oral Care

  • Toothbrush
  • Toothpaste
  • Floss
  • Mouthwash
  • Breath mints/chewing gum

Hair Care

  • Dry shampoo
  • Leave-in conditioner spray
  • Hairspray
  • Bobby pins
  • Hair brush
  • Hair ties

Hand Care

  • Nail clippers
  • Nail polish (that matches your current nail color)
  • Nail polish remover
  • Nail file
  • Hand lotion

Outdoor Items

  • Sunscreen
  • Bug spray
  • Bug bite ointment
  • Umbrella
  • Rain poncho/jacket
  • Weather-proof footwear
  • Hand & feet warmers

Miscellaneous Items

  • Portable phone charger
  • Print outs (itinerary, contact list)
  • Cash

When to Pack a Bridal Emergency Kit

While most of the items included in a bridal emergency kit can be packed as early as you wish, some are best packed closer to the wedding day. Anything with an expiration date, like medications or snacks, should be added to your kit the week of the ceremony. You could simply wait until the week of your wedding to pack everything, but if you prefer prepping in advance, simply print out your wedding day emergency kit checklist and cross off items as you add them to your bag.

Who is Responsible for the Wedding Day Emergency Kit?

Brides usually take charge to prepare their own wedding day emergency kits, but it is not uncommon to share the responsibility or delegate the task! In some cases, the mother of the bride or the mother of the groom will create one as a gift for the bride. If you know that you want to create your own wedding day survival kit, be sure to communicate clearly to your whole wedding party so everyone is on the same page. Should you prefer to put a parent or your maid of honor in charge of the wedding day emergency kit, take time to share a checklist that you’ve put together of things you think should be included. Even if you’ve made your own bridal emergency kit, it’s worth putting one of your bridesmaids in charge of bringing it safely to the venue. As the bride, you’re already in charge of a lot of moving pieces on your wedding day, so a little help can go a long way!

What a bride needs in a wedding day emergency kit is actually very personal. From body necessities to dress care, there are a number of ways to customize a bridal emergency kit so it’s just right for the bride, her wedding party, and her ceremony and party location. Deciding what should be in your wedding day emergency kit is entirely up to you, and the checklists above are a great starting point as you begin to brainstorm. No matter how you choose to build your wedding day survival kit, you’ll be extra prepared for any surprises that might pop up on your big day!

For more advice on all things bridal, check out Avery Austin’s blog! With everything from the top wedding dresses of the season to guides on fabrics, necklines, and more, these articles have answers for all of your wedding-related questions.