
Wedding Day Survival Kits: What You Actually Need
Created on: 01/07/2025
Updated on: 01/07/2025
Every detail is planned. The dress is steamed, the playlist’s sorted, and the timeline’s nailed down. But weddings don’t always go to plan — and when something unexpected happens, a well-packed survival kit can make all the difference.
We don’t mean extra lipsticks and a backup tiara, we mean the emergencies where fast fixes are needed! Here’s what really belongs in your kit — and what you can probably leave behind.
What Actually Goes Wrong (More Often Than You Think)
You’d be surprised how many small hiccups happen on the day — and how often the same issues come up over and over again:
🔹 Weather that turns
Wind lifting veils, rain ruining shoes, or a heatwave melting makeup
Fix it fast: Pack anti-humidity setting spray, blotting papers, and clear umbrellas. For veils — hat pins or even fashion tape at the nape of the neck can hold it down discreetly.
🔹 Shoes falling apart
Straps snapping or heels sinking into grass
Fix it fast: Cable ties can temporarily hold a strap together under the foot arch. Heel stoppers prevent sinking on lawns or gravel.
🔹 Dresses that rip or pop
Zips get stuck, seams pull, or buttons fly off mid-dance
Fix it fast: A needle and thread set is essential, but fusible hemming tape (activated with a warm iron or even a hair straightener) is a lesser-known lifesaver.
🔹 Makeup shift or smudge
Not just heat — tears, hugs and constant movement undo even the best faces
Fix it fast: Bring translucent powder, cotton buds for under-eye cleanup, and mini micellar wipes — they remove smudges without ruining the rest.
🔹 Stains and spills
Foundation on the collar, drinks on the dress, lipstick on suits
Fix it fast: A white bar of chalk can hide marks on white fabrics instantly. For colour, carry stain remover wipes — they’re compact and work on most food and drink.
🔹 Forgotten vows, schedules, or emergency contact numbers
Fix it fast: Print hard copies of key documents and tuck them into a ziplock bag — moisture-resistant, easy to hand to someone else, and fits in a clutch.
🔹 Phones or speakers dying mid-ceremony
Or the playlist is on someone’s phone… and they’ve wandered off
Fix it fast: Pack a fully charged power bank and a backup cable. A printed order of events with DJ contacts and playlist login details is even better.
What’s Worth Packing: The Smart Essentials
Here’s what’s good to have in your kit — tried and tested and saved many a wedding:
- Safety pins (multiple sizes)
- Sewing kit – include white, black, and the dress/suit colour if possible
- Fusible tape – works for ripped hems or falling seams
- Double-sided fashion tape – necklines, veils, bow ties
- Mini scissors – for loose threads or emergency label removals
- Heel stoppers
- Plasters and blister patches
- Painkillers – plus antihistamines and ibuprofen for swelling
- Stain remover wipes
- White chalk – for dress touch-ups
- Cotton buds + mini micellar water wipes
- Setting powder / setting spray
- Lipstick / balm / mini mirror
- Tissues – paper and fabric if possible
- Deodorant wipe or mini roll-on
- Portable phone charger + spare cable
- Emergency snack – protein bar or something that won’t melt
- Mini water bottle
- Clear umbrella – for bride, groom or guests
What You Think You’ll Need (But Probably Won’t)
Easy to overpack but realistically? Some of these things never come out of the bag:
- Full-size anything – perfume, hair spray, deodorant
- A change of shoes – unless you know you’ll swap, don’t bother - other than a pair of comfy flats! You’ll definitely be needing these!
- Excessive backup jewellery – choose one and wear it
- Nail kit – just some repair glue will do
- Three phones, four chargers – one working backup is enough