Absolutely Everything to Include in Your Wedding Emergency Kit

You know how you're always thankful for that one friend who carries a big purse filled with everything you could ever need during a day/night out? Your wedding emergency kit is that pal's stash kicked up 100 notches. While you likely won't need everything (or maybe anything) you pack, you'll feel much more at peace knowing you have an arsenal of little problem solvers you can dip into in the face of snags, spills, smudges and so on. Below, we're sharing The Knot editor-approved picks for your wedding day survival kit, plus answering some of the basic FAQs, like who's in charge of the bundle and how far in advance you should organize everything within your wedding timeline. And if you're more of the visual type, there's a printable wedding emergency kit checklist to help you stay on track—because who doesn't love crossing something off with a pen every once in a while?

In this article:

• Wedding Emergency Kit Checklist
• Wedding Emergency Kit FAQ

Wedding Emergency Kit Checklist

Choosing what to include in your wedding day emergency kit might feel overwhelming. While you can't predict every scenario that might happen on your wedding day, it's helpful to talk it out with your S.O. and your wedding planner or coordinator to glean some guidance.

"Walk through the day and consider 'what if' situations," suggests Cassy Anderson, owner and creative director of Cassy Rose Events in San Francisco and Detroit. Anderson recommends packing items in your wedding emergency kit that'll help you solve any potential problems you can identify (think: accidental coffee spill or an unwanted headache). Start with our printable wedding emergency kit checklist and the essentials we've highlighted below (and don't forget to save this to Your Favorites folder).

Design by Tiana Crispino

Beauty Touch-Up Essentials

These hair and makeup heroes will keep your 'do done and your makeup fresh.

Editor's pick: Laneige Lip Mask, $24
Yes, this mask is meant to be worn while you sleep, but letting a smear sit on your lips while you get your hair styled or kick back for a few will ensure a buttery-soft pout ahead of the aisle—a true must in a wedding day emergency kit for the bride.

• Hair touch-ups: Stock up on bobby pins and elastics to keep your hair and your wedding party's styles in place throughout the day.
• Perfume: Keep your wedding day signature scent on hand for an extra spritz or two between events.
• Brush or comb: Have these at the ready to tame flyaways and fluff bangs.
• Makeup: Keep your day-of beauty in a little bag for quick touch-ups. (Your wedding makeup artist can assemble this for you too, just ask.)
• Lip balm: For all the kissing you'll be doing.
• Mirror: The getting-ready suite might have limited mirror space, bring a couple of extras so you and your wedding party can spread out.
• Hair spray: A must for any summer wedding or humid climate.
• Nail kit: For remedying hangnails and chipped polish—stock it with a file, cuticle trimmer, your nail color and a bottle of top coat.
• Deodorant: To refresh yourself between events on the day.
• Setting spray: A few spritzes will lock any makeup touch-ups in place.
• Cotton swabs: These will come in handy for precise makeup application and removal, if needed.
• Makeup remover: For any makeup mishaps or running mascara from happy tears.
• Tweezers: For any rogue eyebrow hairs, splinters, etc.

Medical and Personal Care

If any medical situations arise on your wedding day, they'll likely be of the small, but annoying variety. Think: headaches and blisters. Stock up on the supplies below to stay prepared.

Editor's pick: Welly Quick-Fix Kit, $16

This pretty, pastel-hued mini first-aid kit comes packed with essentials to handle all manner of cuts and scrapes that could come up.

• Pain reliever: For headaches, sore muscles, sore feet from dancing.
• Dental supplies: Mouthwash, floss, a toothbrush and toothpaste
  Breath mints: To pop in after dinner or a little before your walk down the aisle.
• Menstrual products: To keep you prepared for any surprises.
• Band-aids: Regular ones for cuts and scrapes, plus hydrocolloid bandages for any heel-induced blisters.
• Antacids: It's smart to have something on hand to solve any tummy troubles that could bubble up.
• Allergy medication: Especially if you're set to wed in the spring months.
• Razor: Because you probably missed shaving the backs of your knees.
• Tissues: For sniffles, happy tears, wiping up, etc.
• Toothbrush/toothpaste: To refresh your smile before the aisle.
• Extra contacts and solution: If you wear them, bring an extra set of contact lenses in case your pair tears or dries out.

Wardrobe Must-Haves

These items will fix any rip, snag, wrinkle or slip when it comes to your day-of outfit and your wedding party's wardrobe.

Editor's pick: Nori Press, $120

This travel iron, which works like a hair straightener, has a cult following—and for good reason. It irons, presses and steams all at once, and it's super satisfying to use (no board needed).

• Sewing kit: Take care of any rips in a pinch, plus a sewing kit also comes with a small pair of scissors to snip loose threads.
• Safety pins: Your wardrobe MVP for quick fixes—stock up on small and large sizes.
• Crochet hook: A life saver when it comes to fastening those fickle covered buttons.
• Stain remover: A stain-remover pen to handle any red-wine spills or dirt that found its way onto a hem.
• Steamer/portable iron: A must for ensuring your garments are crisp and aisle ready.
• Super glue: Great for handling broken shoe straps, jewelry and other little emergencies.
• Static-guard spray: To keep delicate, staticky fabrics from clinging to legs.
• Lint roller: This is especially helpful for removing fuzzies from fabrics like wool and velvet.
• White chalk: A godsend for covering up stubborn stains on white fabrics.
• Fashion tape: This stuff will come in handy for keeping straps on dresses and shoes, necklines and even jewelry in place.
• Extra earrings and earring backs: These accessories are the most likely to get lost in the shuffle, so be prepared.
• Comfy reception shoes: A spare pair of footwear will come in handy for tired feet later on in the reception.
• Heel protectors and sole guards: New dress shoes can be slippery, and sole guards provide some welcome grip. Heel protectors will also help you stay atop the grass during an outdoor ceremony.

Tech Bits and Bobs

Your tech wedding emergency kit must-haves will keep you powered up the morning of.

Editor's pick: Burga Magnetic Power Bank, from $99

The most gorgeous magnetic power banks you'll ever find that actually work well. My pick: the stick of butter design.

• Phone charger: Whether it's for listening to your wedding pump-up playlist or sending sweet texts to your spouse to be, your phone needs to be powered up—keep a charger on hand.
• Portable power bank: For keeping phones charged in transit or away from outlets.
• Headphones: To listen to a guided meditation or a playlist as you get ready.
• Multi-head charging cables: We bet your wedding party all has different phones—scoop up a multi-head charger to keep them all powered up for candid photos throughout the day.
• Portable Bluetooth speaker: To keep the energy level high in the getting-ready suite.
• Big power strip: To accommodate multiple phone chargers, hair tools, etc.

Practical Additions

A few practical bits and bobs will round out your wedding emergency kit list so you'll be prepared for anything and everything.

Editor's pick: JisuLife Portable Handheld Fan Life7, $31

This powerful portable fan can sit in your hand or atop a table to keep any nervous sweat at bay.

• Handheld fan: For keeping cool in warm months or even helping setting spray dry.
• Wedding day timeline print out: Keep a copy on hand to help everyone stay on track and organized.
• Pen: For signing marriage licenses and scrawling love notes.
• Straws: To sip something without smudging your lipstick.
• Snacks: Go for things that are satiating and free of crumbs, like protein bars.
• Water: Hydration—need we say more?
• Sunscreen: For the face and body.
• Bug spray: A must of any outdoor wedding come spring or summer.

Wedding Emergency Kit FAQ

Find answers to your most burning emergency wedding kit questions below, from where to buy to who should manage it during your nuptials.

What's a Wedding Day Emergency Kit?

A wedding day emergency kit is a collection of toiletries and essentials to fix any problems you might encounter during your celebration, from a ripped hemline to a nauseous stomach or a broken earring. Not only will a bridal emergency kit help you fix small issues in a pinch, it'll give you peace of mind to know that you're prepared for anything.

"An emergency kit for the wedding day will also ensure that you, your family or wedding party don't have to run any last minute errands to get something you might have forgotten," says Amy Nichols, founder of Amy Nichols Special Events, a full-service luxury wedding planning company based in Santa Barbara, California. Best case scenario, everything will go smoothly on your wedding day and you won't need to pull out the wedding emergency kit—but if anything does happen, you'll thank yourself for having the essentials ready to go.

When Should I Pack the Wedding Day Emergency Kit?

Pack your emergency kit about two weeks or so before your wedding. The week before your wedding can feel like a whirlwind of events, which can lead to oversights when packing the essentials. To reduce your stress, start adding things to your day-of wedding survival kit as early as possible. By packing the kit early, you'll have it ready to go for all of the other wedding events too, including the rehearsal dinner and farewell brunch.

"Packing the emergency kit a few weeks before the wedding leaves room for little error," advises Robin Jenkins, a full-time special event planner, coordinator and consultant at Brown Bird Events in Pennsylvania. "This allows you to think clearly and objectively about what you need."

Who Should Hold the Emergency Kit?

Ask someone close to you like a wedding party member to keep track of your wedding emergency kit throughout the celebration. "Before the wedding, give your emergency kit to someone who is responsible, trustworthy and dependable," suggests Linda Ferguson, wedding and event sales manager for Hotel Viking, a century-old hotel located in historic Newport, Rhode Island. "This could be the maid of honor, a best friend or a family member."

If you've hired a wedding planner or day-of coordinator, they can also hold onto your wedding day emergency kit. What matters most is that you trust whoever's in charge of your essentials—that way, you'll enjoy your wedding day free of stress.

Where Should I Buy Supplies for My Wedding Emergency Kit?

Keep these retailers in mind as you shop for all the supplies you'll need in your emergency kit.

• Pinch Provisions: This company is known for their adorable, pocket-sized emergency kits that are somehow stocked so well stocked despite their small size. Their most iconic: the classic Minimergency Kit for Brides.
• Amazon: Free two-day shipping from Amazon Prime is hard to beat. Use Amazon for all the last-minute emergency kit additions that come to mind the week of the wedding.
• Target: Let's be honest—Target's selection of travel-size personal care products is the best there is, bar none.
• Walmart: It's hard to beat Walmart's stellar prices. And when you're buying lots of supplies for a wedding emergency kit, every cent of savings counts.
• Etsy: Etsy is the place to shop for a thoughtfully put together wedding day emergency kit to save on time.