The wedding emergency kit every bridesmaid needs for the big day (learned the hard way)
When my best friend got married, I was put in charge of the wedding day emergency kit. I quickly realised it might have been one of the most important jobs I had because there is always a moment when someone says: “Does anyone have…?”
As I step into the bridesmaid role again, I've learnt one very important lesson: no wedding day is completely drama-free.
I don’t say that to panic anyone, because don’t get me wrong, the big things usually go to plan. The dress gets zipped up, everyone makes it down the aisle (mostly) on time, and the happy couple says ‘I do’ and we all live happily ever after.
With my future sister-in-law's wedding fast approaching, I’m already thinking about what I need to add to my next kit, because it’s the little things that catch people out.
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A strap breaks moments before the ceremony. Someone’s new shoes start rubbing before they've even reached the drinks reception. A glass of Prosecco ends up down a bridesmaid's dress. A headache appears out of nowhere after an early start and a stressful morning.
Last year,
Whether you’re a bride-to-be putting together your own wedding day survival bag or a type-A bridesmaid looking to be the most prepared person in the room, these are the things I’d recommend having close by.
Blister plasters
Let’s start with the thing that has the potential to ruin your day faster than anything else: painful shoes.
Wedding shoes are often bought with looking amazing in mind, but even the dreamiest pair of heels can become uncomfortable after hours of standing, walking, taking photos and dancing.
Blister plasters are a tiny addition to your emergency kit but could save the day when someone’s feet start protesting before the evening reception has even started.
Compeed 10 Mixed Hydrocolloid Blister Plasters For Feet - Waterproof Deep Cushioned Plasters For Comfort
£10.50
Trust me, there is nothing worse than trying to smile through wedding photos while secretly thinking about your feet.
For my best friend’s wedding, I also made sure I had some flat sandals stashed away at the reception venue so I could change before a night on the dance floor.
Stain remover wipes
White dresses, Prosecco and a busy wedding morning are not always the best combination.
Whether it’s a makeup mark on a neckline or an accidental splash from someone’s drink, stains have a habit of appearing at the worst possible moment.
A pack of stain remover wipes is one of those things you hope you won’t need, but you’ll be very grateful you packed them if you do.
Shout Wipe & Go Stain Remover Wipes
£8.32
You can also get stain remover pens to pop in your handbag if there’s a food related spill to clean up after the wedding breakfast.
Tallow + Ash Stain Pen
£8
A mini sewing kit
Every wedding emergency kit needs a mini sewing kit because wardrobe malfunctions are almost guaranteed.
A loose button, a broken strap or a small tear can happen at any point, and while you might not be able to perform a full repair, a quick fix can get someone through the ceremony and photographs.
Muji Travel Sewing Kit
£3.95
I’d also make sure this includes fashion tape and safety pins because you never know what might save the day.
Fashion tape can help secure a neckline and stop a dress from moving around, while safety pins can temporarily fix everything from broken zips to loose hems.
Linda's Essentials Double Sided Body and Fashion Tape
£6.99
JKG 50 x Safety Pins Assorted Sizes
£3.25
Painkillers
Wedding mornings often start incredibly early, and when you combine nerves, excitement and a lack of sleep (and possibly a few drinks the night before), headaches can happen.
Keeping some paracetamol or ibuprofen in your emergency kit means you’re prepared if someone needs a little help getting through the day.
Boots Ibuprofen 200mg Tablets - 16 Tablets
55p
Boots Paracetamol 500mg Tablets - 16 Tablets
49p
Tissues
This one feels obvious, but you will absolutely need tissues. If you think you have enough tissues, I can tell you from experience, you don’t.
Someone will cry. It might be the bride, the bridesmaid, a parent, a grandparent, or the friend who insisted they ‘never get emotional’ who is now in floods of tears before the bridal party have stepped foot down the aisle.
Boots Multi Pocket Tissues
£1.10
I gave a handful of friends at my best friend’s wedding a pack of tissues each, had spares in my handbag, and in the emergency kit. Every single packet got used.
Believe me, you really can never have too many tissues.
Deodorant
From getting ready first thing in the morning to taking photos, greeting guests, dancing, and celebrating late into the evening, there are a lot of hours in a wedding day and you’ll be wanting to feel fresh all the way through.
As well as making sure you’ve got a couple of cans of deodorant knocking around while you’re getting ready (there is always someone who forgets to bring the essentials).
Dove Advanced Care Original Anti-Perspirant Aerosol, 200ml
£3.50
You’ll want to pack a travel-sized deodorant, too.
The size is perfect for handbags and great for a quick freshen-up, helping everyone feel a little more comfortable throughout the day.
NIVEA Pearl & Beauty 72h Anti-Perspirant Deodorant Mini Spray 35ml
£2
I’d also pop in a mini perfume or atomiser filled with whoever’s favourite scent so you and the bridal party can give yourselves a quick spritz when needed.
Hair grips and hair ties
Your hairstyle might look perfect when your hairdresser leaves you, but after hours of hugs, dancing, wind and other weather, things can start to change.
Hair grips and hair ties are a must-have for securing loose curls and stray hairs.
Boots Brown Hair Grips - 30
£1
Boots Thin Ponybands Brown – 10
£1.50
They’re most useful for bridesmaids who are likely to be helping fix everyone else’s hair throughout the day.
I’d also recommend chucking a can of hairspray in there to help keep flyaways under control and lock everything in place again.
VO5 Ultimate Hold Hairspray, 400ml
£4
Just remember to check your wrists for any hair ties or bobbles before you walk down the aisle as you won’t want those being captured in any photos.
A mini beauty touch-up kit
Every single part of a wedding is a photo opportunity, so having a few beauty essentials nearby so you’re always camera-ready is a good idea.
You don’t need to bring your entire makeup bag, just a few key products that can help everyone feel fresh after hours of celebrations.
I’d recommend packing things like pressed powder, lipstick or gloss, concealer and blotting paper for a quick refresh before important moments.
Muji Face Blotting Paper x 100
£2.50
A small mirror is also worth including if you have room.
I’d include cotton pads and cotton buds for quick makeup fixes, whether that’s cleaning up smudged mascara or tidying lipstick. Makeup wipes are also useful for bigger beauty emergencies.
A fresh breath kit
This might not be the most glamorous addition, but it’s one that everyone will appreciate.
If you’re all getting ready together in the morning, there’s a good chance people will be eating breakfast, drinking coffee and having a glass of fizz before the ceremony.
I kept this in mind when it was my best friend’s wedding and packed disposable toothbrushes after seeing them go viral on TikTok thanks to Hailey Bieber, so we were as fresh as possible before the big day kicked off.
Colgate Wisp Portable Mini-Brush Optic White
£9.75
£8.69
Mints and chewing gum are handy to have too and any brides will appreciate having fresh breath before those all-important close-up moments.
A portable charger or power bank
Phones are a huge part of weddings now.
Whether it’s taking behind-the-scenes photos while getting ready, checking timing, contacting suppliers or searching for a last-minute replacement for something that’s gone wrong, everyone relies on their phone.
While the bride and groom probably won’t have much to do with their phones on the big day, the responsibility of keeping them safe and picking up any important phone calls and messages passes to the wedding party.
The last thing anyone wants is their battery dying before the speeches or first dance.
A portable charger or power bank means bridesmaids can keep their and the bride’s phone topped up and be ready to use their phones if needed.
Anker PowerCore Slim 10,000mAh 15W Portable Power Bank
£17.99
Other things I’d throw in just in case
Once you’ve got the essentials covered, there are a few extra bits worth adding if you have space.
If you’re one of the people helping the bride get into her dress, a pair of satin gloves could also be a clever addition to the kit.
It might sound a little dramatic, but bridal shops often recommend them to help prevent makeup, fake tan or natural oils from transferring onto the dress while you’re fastening buttons, adjusting straps or helping with a tricky zip.
Etsy White Satin Wedding Gloves
£11.32
When you think about how much time and effort goes into finding the perfect dress, it makes sense to do everything possible to keep it looking flawless right up until the moment the bride walks down the aisle.
Hand sanitiser is one of those boring-but-brilliant additions. There will be a lot of touching, fixing and helping throughout the morning, and the last thing anyone wants is to accidentally leave marks on the bride’s dress while helping her get ready.
Cuticura Original Anti Bacterial Hand Gel 50ml
£1.50
Wet wipes are another underrated wedding day essential. They’re useful for cleaning up makeup mistakes, wiping sticky hands after breakfast, freshening up after a busy morning and dealing with any little spills before they become bigger problems.
A small bottle of water is also worth adding. Wedding mornings can be hectic, and with everyone rushing around, getting ready and feeling nervous, it’s surprisingly easy to forget to drink enough.
Having water nearby is especially important if the weather is warm or people have started celebrating with a glass of fizz before the ceremony.
Similarly, a small snack bar or some sweets can be a lifesaver if someone realises they’ve somehow made it to lunchtime without eating.
They might not be the most exciting items in the bag, but these are the things that can make a stressful moment feel much easier.
The truth is, no wedding day will ever go 100 percent perfectly, and that’s part of what makes them memorable.
But being prepared means those little problems stay little.
If you’re the person in the wedding party who manages to pull out what's needed at exactly the right moment, you might just become the real hero of the day.
Rosie Floyd