What is a Wedding Emergency Kit? 25 Things Every Couple Needs

You can create a ‘list of things to do’ on your wedding day that would fill half a dozen ring-binders, but it’s highly likely that something will happen that you weren’t expecting. Wedding days involve so many moving parts that even the best-laid plans can encounter unexpected hiccups, from the caterers turning up late to the bride’s dress zip getting stuck. To help you survive the little crises that pepper every wedding day, a wedding emergency kit list is your lifesaver when things don’t go quite to plan.

But what is a wedding day emergency kit list? In this article, we’ll take you through what you’ll need to pack into your kit to help you feel more organised and less stressed. We’ll discuss 25 wedding essentials that every couple needs on their wedding day, and what the benefits of having that all-important wedding survival kit are.

We’ll look at what goes into the bride’s emergency kit, and what goes into the groom’s kit too, and a few top tips to help you stay on top of those little events that threaten to derail your special day. We’ll also look at essentials such as insurance for your wedding rings, and answer a few of your most common questions along the way.

What is an emergency wedding kit?

A wedding day emergency kit or survival kit is a bag filled with all those little essentials that keep you looking your best and feeling relaxed, happy, and comfortable right up to the point where you climb into the car to drive off for your honeymoon.

It can be two bags, one for the bride and one for the groom, and contains mundane things such as painkillers, safety pins, a spare lipstick, and even plasters to stop your shoes rubbing your heel raw (nobody wants to hobble up the aisle…).

A wedding day survival kit helps you feel like you’re really ready for anything. But this is something that shouldn’t rest on the bride’s and bridegroom’s shoulders – they have enough to think about trying to remember their vows. Instead, this is something that the Maid of Honour and the Best Man can take care of.

Their roles are to support the bride and groom, so if things go awry, they’re the ones who need to be there with the wedding survival kit to put things right. Having a bag that covers all the ‘what ifs’ ensures the day goes without a hitch and any unforeseen circumstances that could turn into disasters are nipped in the bud.

Brides and bridegrooms can have their own personal wedding survival kits, too. First, let’s look at the 25 items you need to keep in a general kit, and then we’ll take a look at brides’ and bridegrooms’ personal survival kits.

25 of the top wedding essentials every couple needs on their wedding day

1. Sewing kit – Containing spare buttons, needles, thread, and a pair of scissors – this is an absolute must-have for those little emergencies such as loose buttons, small tears, or even a quick stitch to keep your buttonhole in place.
2. Painkillers – Paracetamol and Ibuprofen – to deal with headaches, aches and pains. Some people can take one and not the other – and always follow the instructions on the packet.
3. Safety pins – Different sizes – Keep a hem in place, a discreet fix for a stuck zip or lost button, and a thousand other uses. Never underestimate the importance of a safety pin on the big day.
4. Plasters – Different sizes – Wedding shoes are rarely ‘broken in’, so there’s a good chance they’ll rub or pinch. To avoid painful blisters, a packet of plasters is essential. Our top tip: Choose clear plasters rather than the beige fabric options so that they don’t show up in the wedding photos.
5. Mints or mouthwash – When the vicar says, “You may kiss the bride”, make sure you’re minty fresh. Avoid chewing gum as there may not be anywhere to dispose of it just before you walk down the aisle.
6. Tissues – Handy purse packet sizes – For tearful relatives, runny noses, and smudged mascara. Tissues are an absolute must-have on every wedding day emergency kit list.
7. Face wipes – Perfect for when the make-up smudges or if your little ring bearer or flower girl has a bit of a runny nose.
8. Mini Deodorant – Unscented is best, as is a spray deodorant rather than a rollerball or block deodorant, especially if several people have to use it. Look for deodorants that don’t leave a mark on fabric, either.
9. Lip gloss or lipstick – A back-up lipstick in the bride’s favourite colour – Just in case the original gets lost and the bride needs to top up her lippy just before walking down the aisle or posing for pictures.
10. Hairspray – Travel size is best – To keep errant strands of hair under control, especially if the weather decides to get a bit breezy just before the photos.
11. Fashion tape – Double-sided clear tape – Skin and clothes-friendly, this tape is perfect for wardrobe malfunctions, ensuring straps or dress tops stay firmly in place, or for fixing a hem that’s decided to drop.
12. Stain remover – Dab-on stain remover for fabrics – To help get rid of those little marks.
13. Spare pair of flat shoes – For the bride – Bridal shoes are not known for their comfort, especially high heels. A spare pair of ‘flatties’ will be much appreciated by the bride during the reception and after the first dance, so she can spend the afternoon and evening in comfort.
14. Power bank or phone charger with leads – Both USB and USBC cables – Make sure phones are topped up the night before, and have a fully-charged power bank on hand (if your wedding is taking place in a garden, or away from a source of power) as well as appropriate leads and cables.
15. Eye drops – Contact-lens friendly drops – To freshen and soothe tired eyes, especially at the end of the day.
16. Makeup wipes – Disposable, eco-friendly options – To deal with those little make-up emergencies such as smudged lipstick or mascara.
17. Cotton buds – Eco-friendly ones – A thousand uses and one of the most overlooked and essential additions to any wedding survival kit. Remember not to flush them, even if they’re the eco-friendly paper and cotton version.
18. Hairbrush – For hair emergencies and to make sure the bridesmaids are looking their best for the photos.
19. Crochet hook – A neat addition to any wedding day emergency kit, especially if the bride’s dress has lots of small buttons. A crochet hook is ideal for catching the buttons and pulling them through the buttonholes quickly and easily.
20. Extra earring backs – Hypoallergenic – A missing earring back can ruin an outfit. A small bag with a few extra earring backs is a great idea, especially for bridesmaids and the bride.
21. Shoelaces – Brown and black – Spare shoelaces for the groom and his party, just in case of a broken lace.
22. Insect bite ointment – Soothing ointment for dealing with insect bites and stings, especially during the summer or for dealing with those midges if you’re having a Scottish castle wedding in the height of midge season!
23. Something comforting for nervous moments – teas, lozenges or tinctures – whatever your preference – to help calm those last-minute nerves.
24. A pen and notebook with all the contact details of suppliers/caterers/taxi companies etc – A book with all those vital numbers is essential just in case the bride’s car breaks down, and you need a taxi fast, or the cake hasn’t turned up on time for the reception.
25. Some cash – A useful addition if you want to tip waiting staff or bar staff.

The bride’s emergency kit

The bride’s emergency kit can be a part of your main wedding day survival kit, or it can be a completely separate kit specifically designed for the bride. Inside, you could include essentials such as a dress repair kit or sewing kit, and a make-up mini kit for touch-ups, including powder, lipstick and waterproof mascara (to prevent smudging if the bride gets a little tearful before the ceremony). You could also include a bottle of Rescue Remedy tincture for last-minute nerves, jewellery such as a spare pair of earrings, and a bottle of the bride’s favourite perfume.

The groom’s emergency kit

A groom’s wedding day survival kit is just as important, and could contain items such as spare buttons (and a mini sewing kit to attach them), a clean tie just in case of spills, and a spare set of cufflinks. You could also include shoelaces and a charged power bank to top up mobile phones, as well as a set of vows just in case the groom gets stage fright and forgets their words. A copy of the reception speech is also a good idea.

Who should carry the wedding emergency kit?

The main wedding day emergency kit should be entrusted to one reliable member of the wedding party, while the bride and groom kits should be looked after by one of the bridesmaids and the Best Man respectively. Everyone in the main party should know that there’s a wedding day survival kit on standby, and who is looking after it, so that if there is a small crisis it can be dealt with quickly and with minimal fuss.

How to pack the kit

Rather than chucking everything in a bag or box and then spending time rummaging through everything to find a single safety pin, organise your wedding day emergency supplies into separate pouches. Small clear zip-lock bags are ideal for keeping different items easy to grab when needed. For example, sewing kits can be kept in a slightly larger bag, with spare buttons and safety pins in smaller bags.

If you’re really organised, a wedding day survival list could be placed at the top of the bag so you know exactly what’s in the kit, or if someone needs to do an emergency run to a nearby shop to grab something you’ve forgotten.

Top tips for creating a wedding emergency supplies list

• Ensure you pack the essentials – An effective wedding day emergency kit list should include the essentials. Make sure that everything is easily accessible.
• Don’t try to include everything – It can be tempting to stuff everything, including the kitchen sink, into an emergency bag, but you can overdo things. Before you put a kit together, sit down and make a list of what you think you’ll need and then add or take off items as you go so that your kit is effective for any realistic scenarios that might arise.
• Keep your kit in a pouch bag – A pouch bag with lots of compartments helps to keep everything organised. Alternatively, you can use clear zip-lock bags and keep different items together, such as make-up in one bag, stain removers in another, and sewing accessories in a third.
• Entrust the bag to a single person – This could be your wedding planner, the Best Man, or the Maid of Honour and make sure everyone knows who has the wedding day survival kit.
• Don’t forget the paperwork – A notebook with essential contact numbers, as well as copies of important documents for the wedding. This could include everything from a copy of the bride and groom’s birth certificates to confirmation documents for hotel bookings, etc. 

Is it better to buy a premade wedding emergency kit online or make a DIY one?

You can buy premade wedding kits online, but they may not include everything you need and are an additional cost. A DIY kit can often be made up of things you already own, such as sewing kits, phone chargers, make-up and tissues.

Is a wedding emergency kit needed?

It’s not essential, but it provides reassurance if you have one on hand to cope with little hiccups along the way. It certainly doesn’t have to be a suitcase stuffed with every possible item for every eventuality, but a small bag with a few bits and pieces to keep the day on track can help enormously. It could be something as simple as a safety pin that saves the day.

Where should I store the wedding kit?

Keep your wedding day survival kit somewhere safe and where it won’t get overlooked on the big day. There’s no point having a survival kit at home when you’re miles away at a country house, so make sure it’s ready to grab-and-go on the day.

Add some insurance to your wedding day survival kit with TH March

A wedding day emergency kit list is all about giving yourself some peace of mind. The same applies to insurance for your most precious items such as wedding rings and engagement rings. While insurance cannot replace the sentimental value of a wedding ring, it can protect you financially if your ring is lost, stolen, or damaged.

For over 130 years, TH March has been providing clients with bespoke insurance for their most valuable items. From collections to individual pieces, our cover is competitively priced and customised to suit your exact needs. Check out our Ring Insurance Page for more information, or call us today for an instant, no-obligation quote.