The Ultimate Wedding Emergency Kit: What to Pack for a Stress-Free Wedding Day

After photographing weddings for over six years, I’ve learned one thing for certain: no matter how perfectly you plan, something unexpected always happens. A popped button. A blister forming. A makeup smudge mid-hug. But don’t worry—this is where the wedding emergency kit comes in to save the day.

This blog post walks you through exactly what to include in your wedding day emergency kit, why each item is a must-have, and how being prepared can keep your day running smoothly, beautifully, and stress-free. Whether you’re the bride, a bridesmaid, or a wedding planner, this guide is your go-to checklist for wedding day peace of mind.

Why You Need a Wedding Emergency Kit

Weddings are emotional, joyful, and sometimes chaotic. With all the moving parts—from beauty prep and transportation to the ceremony and dance floor—you want to be ready for anything. A thoughtfully packed wedding emergency kit ensures that small hiccups don’t turn into full-blown disasters. This kit is designed to handle everything from fashion fixes and beauty touch-ups to unexpected aches and pains.

What to Include in Your Wedding Emergency Kit

To make this as easy as possible, I’ve broken the list down into categories with explanations for why each item might come in handy.

Wardrobe + Style Fixes

Because wardrobe malfunctions love to make a surprise appearance.

• Sewing Kit: Perfect for popped buttons, minor tears, or loose threads.
• Scissors: Handy for trimming stray threads, loose tags, or cutting tape.
• Safety Pins: Great for temporary dress repairs or adjusting fit on the fly.
• Bobby Pins: Essential for taming flyaways or keeping hairstyles intact.
• Boob Tape / Fabric Tape: For securing plunging necklines, strapless dresses, or hems.
• Lint Roller: A lifesaver for dark suits, pet hair, or last-minute fuzzies.

Beauty + Touch-Up Essentials

Keep everyone photo-ready all day long.

• Mini Hairbrush: For mid-day hair refreshes (especially on windy days).
• Tweezers & Brow Scissors: Ideal for grooming mishaps or stray hairs.
• Lash Glue: For false lash emergencies or corner lifts.
• Nail Glue: Perfect if someone pops a press-on or acrylic.
• Mini Powder Puffs & Vaseline: Shine control and hydration, wherever needed.
• Q-tips & Makeup Remover Q-tips: Great for fixing eyeliner, lipstick smudges, or mascara tears.
• Tissues & Cleansing Wipes: Whether it’s happy tears or a spill—these are essential.
• Spray Deodorant: Quick and discreet touch-ups that keep everyone fresh.

Health + First Aid

Because feeling your best is just as important as looking it.

• Band-Aids (Regular & Blister): From paper cuts to dancing blisters, these are always in demand.
• Razors: In case of a missed spot or last-minute touch-ups.
• Tylenol, Advil & Gravol: Headaches, cramps, or nausea can hit fast—come prepared.
• Reactine: Allergies don’t RSVP to weddings.
• Tums, Pepto Bismol, Gaviscon: For indigestion or unexpected stomach issues.
• Tampons: Even if you don’t think you’ll need them—trust me, someone will.
• Liquid I.V. Hydration Packets: A quick way to rehydrate after nerves or dancing.
• Bug Spray & Sunscreen: Crucial for outdoor weddings or summer days.

Breath + Smile Care

Kiss, toast, repeat.

• Listerine Spray & Peppermints: For fresh breath before walking down the aisle or that first kiss.
• Floss Sticks: Handy for post-meal touch-ups and keeping your smile fresh.

Having a fully-stocked wedding emergency kit might seem like a small detail, but it can make a world of difference. It allows you, your wedding party, and even your photographer (hi, it’s me!) to feel confident knowing that you’re ready for anything the day throws your way.

Because while I can sew a button and tame a flyaway mid-portrait, it’s always better to be prepared 💁‍♀️

Want a printable version of this checklist or a custom emergency kit built for you? Reach out—I’m always happy to share what’s worked over my 6+ years in the wedding industry!

The Complete Wedding Emergency Kit Checklist

Here’s a handy master list to check off as you build your own kit

WEDDING EMERGENCY KIT CHECKLIST