What you *really* need to put in your DIY wedding emergency kit
Brides, bridesmaids, maitrons and maids of honor – listen up!
I’m here to share my fav no-bullsh!t items that my besties and I have *actually* used and saved us from full-blown ✨menty-b’s✨ at wedding events.
I’m not sure if it’s my ADHD superpower or just my excessive need to people-please – but my ability to plan for the what-ifs has been my blessing in disguise for more occasions than not… and maybe a curse for overthinking.
The bride emergency kit list for every ‘oh sh!t’ moment.
I’m not here to sell you some overpriced kit on Etsy. Nor am I paid to recommend any of these specific brands.
Some of the items in this list are no-brainers you or one of the girls probably already have packed in a toiletry bag. But I promise you’ll find least one or two unspoken heroes in this list.
Personally, I order most of these items off of Amazon because, let’s be honest, ✨I’m lazy✨ and most items arrive in less than a day. Or if I’m traveling, I can ship them directly to wherever I’m staying, which saves me packing stress. But most of these items you can also find at your local convenience and drug stores, too.
Download the ultimate wedding day emergency checklist PDF.
Save this list for later to make sure you have everything you need for the big day.
Let’s get into how to make an emergency wedding kit:
1. invisible thread & travel sewing kit
We’ve all seen those viral videos. Trust me when I say a travel sewing kit is one of those things you don’t think about until you’re panicking in a torn dress.
TSA-compliant travel sewing kit
What I personally love about this kit is the little scissors it comes with. You’ll notice I left scissors out of my list – and this little kit is why. Plus, the kit comes with multiple thread colors.
Price: $6
Assorted safety pins
I love the multiple sizes this variety pack comes with. Again, maybe not something you need this many of. Honestly, I took a handful out of this pack, put them in a plastic baggie, and stored the rest for when I run out.
Price: $5
2. double-sided fashion tape
Bra straps, dress strings, loose dresses, stubborn necklaces, falling stockings… You see where I’m going with this.
Double-sided fashion tape
Versatile and a must-have. Sticks well to skin and fabrics. Saved my girls a few accidental nip slips.
Price: $13
3. extended power strip
I’m sure when you toured venues, you weren’t exactly looking or asking about their wall outlets.
Flat-plug extended power strip
You’ll be glad you have this when all the girls are trying to charge their phones, the beauty team has their appliances plugged in, someone’s trying to steam their dress, Abby’s charging her speaker, and now suddenly there are no outlets left.
Price: $23
4. nipple covers
My milkshakes bring all the boys to the yard, and they’re like, ‘Oh dang, your nips are showing…’
Reusable, stick-fast nipple covers
Hopefully, your girls brought their own, but in case they didn’t, this 4-pack is a good backup.
Price: $7
5. pain killers
You get it. I don’t need to explain this one.
Mini Ibuprofen 200 mg softgels, 240 count
Now 240 pills miiiight be overkill, but between the champagne, high heels, flashing lights, and the groomsmen being, well, men… you’ll be glad for the cushion.
Price: $13
6. bandages of all sizes
Again, I think these are self-explanatory – a staple in any emergency kit, ever.
Assorted Bandages variety pack, 300 count
What I like about these is the different sizes, colors and shapes that come in the pack. 300 count is a biiiiit excessive, so maybe just take a handful and store the rest for future refills!
Price: $12
7. menstrual products
Now, I would hope that you’re venue has your suite stocked with most of the necessities we’re putting in our list… but it doesn’t hurt to have backup and know exactly where they’re at.
Pearl Tampax variety pack
This Tampax pack is great for variety when you have bigger parties.
Price: $12
8. antacid, gas-x, & imodium
We’ve all seen that one Bridesmaids scene, right? Right. No one wants it coming out of them like lava on their wedding day.
Tums berry fusion tablets, 60 count
I personally prefer Tums over Pepto, and this berry flavor has never done me dirty.
Price: $6
Gas-X extra strength tablets, 72 count
There’s better ways to break the awkward silence.
Price: $15
Imodium multi-symptom relief caplets, 24 count
The only hootin’ and hollerin’ happening should be on the dance floor, not the bathroom stall.
Price: $14
9. deodorant & perfume
Now a real girls-girl will always share her deodorant and perfume with you. Choose whatever brands and scents you prefer, but these are the two I’ve always gotten compliments on.
Dolce&Gabbana New Light Blue, Eau De Toilette Spray
Zesty freshness of citrus with a delicate floral bouquet, giving way to seductively warm, woody notes.
Price: $89
Secret Antiperspirant and Deodorant for Women, 24-hour protection + PH-balanced
It ain’t no secret Secret is the popular choice. Secret tends to irritate my armpits less, and I’ve even used it between my thighs to help with chaffing.
Price: $4
10. stain remover & white chalk
Tide To-Go should honestly be stocked in every public bathroom, IMHO. But what you won’t find in a bathroom, probably ever, is white chalk. Believe it or not, white chalk is fantastic for covering residual stains, even after using a To-Go pen. Plus, it can help draw out grease until spot-washing.
Tide To-Go Pen
As long as you don’t drop a whole plate of spaghetti on your clothes, this three pack should be more than enough to cover any accidental spills and quick spot treatments.
Price: $6
Crayola White Chalk
Keep a stick or two of chalk set aside in your DIY emergency wedding kit for white dress stains or grease blotches. Chalk is great for absorbing oils and hiding stubborn stains temporarily.
Price: $5
get your sh!t together, girl.
stay organized and travel-ready with this XL toiletry bag.
11. chafing gel
Attention, summer wedding besties! Unless you got thighs separated by Moses himself, ✨ you will be sweating and you will have chaffing. ✨ While I love a quick fix using deodorant, this Monistat chafing gel lasts longer and leaves less residue.
Monistat Complete Care Chafing Relief Gel
Would you believe me when I tell you this also doubles as a makeup primer? We love versatility.
Price: $6
12. oil blotting sheets
Listen, your wedding day is going to be non-stop with flashing cameras and candid photo-ops. Save the shiny face for your nighttime facial slugging routine.
Natural Oil Blotting Sheets for Face
Go with whatever brand you prefer. But for the price point of these, they’re my usual go-to.
Price: $10
13. nail repair kit
While I can’t promise your French Tips will be OPI-approved by the end of the night, it’s better to repair what you can than leave your broken nail snag on every cloth it touches the rest of the night.
Travel nail kit
Equipped with tweezers, small scissors, nail clippers, cuticle trimmers, and more.
Price: $8
Cracked nail repair kit
Cracked my nail in a car door handle and the spot repair lasted me a full 2+ weeks until I was able to see my nail tech nearly a month later.
Price: $16
14. spare earring backs
Don’t let the reason you can’t wear your favorite earrings be that the earring back has disappeared. They’re cheap, they’re effective and they’re nearly invisible, too.
Silicone Earring backs, 1,200 count
You’ll be set for life with this 1,200 count. If you don’t want to keep this many in your travel kit, set aside ~100 and fill a small travel container or case.
Price: $5
15. power bank & charger adapter
Pictures are one thing, but for the love of GAWD, don’t keep your speech on your phone unless you have a portable charger with you.
Anker portable power bank charger
Anker is a trusted brand that’s been around for a long time. I’d be wary of ordering any of the cheap brands you often see on Amazon.
Price: $26
Multi-USB charging cable fast charge
While I’m personally an Apple stan, what I like about this charging set is the assortment of charging tips for different device types.
Price: $13
16. anti-static spray & wrinkle release
Wedding days are already loud and overstimulating. The last thing you want is itchy static, clinging dresses, and little shocks with every hug or handshake.
Bounce anti-wrinkle and anti-static spray
Get the best of both worlds with this anti-static and wrinkle-release spray from Bounce.
Price: $4
Portable dress steamer
Say you’re bad and bougie, without saying you’re bad and bougie. But not really, I love this thing. Perfect for silk dresses.
Price: $26
17. heel grips for blisters
High.. heels.. on my tippies. At least for the ceremony. You’ll probably be shoeless on the dancefloor.
Heel grip shoe liner inserts
These inexpensive heel grips are non-slip, prevent blisters, and fill the gap in shoes that came a litttttle too big.
Price: $6
18. heel stoppers for grass
They say rain on your wedding day is good luck, but what they don’t tell you is that it also means anyone in high heels will be fighting for their life on grass.
Clear GoGoHeel Stoppers
How cute are the little flower details? You really won’t even see them, let alone in pictures, but you’ll definitely notice the difference when walking on grass.
Price: $12
19. clear eyebrow gel
Honestly, this should probably be in the top 10. Great for styling brows, but this eyebrow gel never fails to tame stubborn hair flyaways and cowlicks.
Maybelline Great Lash Clear Mascara for lashes and eyebrows
Clear works best, but brown and black also work great for filling in balding or thinning hair areas!
Price: $10
20. eye drops & contact solution
I wouldn’t recommend using contact solution for eye drops, but I love Bio True for storing my contacts or flushing them. For allergies or red eyes, use something like Visine after removing your contacts.
21. caffeine & anxiety supplements
Your wedding day will be one of the best days of your life – and maybe one of the most overstimulating, draining, and stressful, too. If you hate the flavor of coffee and energy drinks, caffeine pills might just be your new bff.
Vivarin caffeine pills 200 mg, 40 count
Sometimes you just want a nap… but not on your wedding day. Personally, I’m not a fan of 5-Hour Energy shots, so this is my go-to.
Price: $9
I swear by ashwagandha. It’s a natural, plant-based supplement that helps with anxiety and stress, and has other health benefits. If it’s the first time you’re hearing about it, I def recommend reading more about it!
Pure Encapsulations ashwagandha, 500 mg
Social anxiety, overstimulation, or just needing a good f*cking night’s sleep – these ashwagandha supplements are my holy grail.
Price: $27
22. allergy meds
Seasonal sniffles and random hives are not the plus-ones we invited. Don’t let pollen allergies crash your wedding.
Travel 24-hour Zyrtec, 30 tablets
Zyrtec is a go-to because it works fast and lasts all day against persistent sneezes and watery eyes.
Price: $24
23. burn cream
Curling irons + pre-wedding nerves = accidental burns waiting to happen. Don’t let your arm or forehead burn upstage your dress in photos.
Alocane emergency burn gel, 4% lidocaine
Alocane gel is a fan favorite for quick, cooling relief with lidocaine built right in. Sorry, this won’t soothe any burns from toasts and speeches, however.
Price: $8
24. extra bobby pins & hair ties
No matter how many your stylist used, you’ll need more by hour two.
Assorted hair accessories kit, 500 pcs
What I like about this pack is the ties, bobby pins, and bands you get. You can also choose from different hair tie colors if you’d rather them blend naturally.
Price: $8
25. zinc-free pressed powder
Hi, sisters! 👀 Iykyk. Avoid the camera flash washout. Always good to have backup for quick touch-ups, especially if your wedding day is outdoors in the heat.
Laura Mercier translucent loose setting powder, 24-hour
A little pricier, but you get what you pay for. Laura Mercier’s translucent powder is cult-loved for its flawless, no-flashback finish.
Price: $43
26. cotton swabs
Q-Tips – specifically the precision tip kind – are great for reaching the inner corners of the eyes and cleaning up smudged mascara without having to start all over.
Travel size Q-Tips
Honestly, save yourself the hassle and just grab a handful from your bathroom, but I will say these travel cases do come in clutch (literally, great for fitting in your clutch).
Price: $2
27. mini tissue packs
Listen, it’s an emotional day – tears will be flowing. Having small, pocket- and clutch-size tissue packs will be a godsend at some point in the ceremony. In the very least, you’ll be ✨ the reliable bestie✨ with tissues at the table when the speeches start pulling nostalgic heartstrings.
Purse-size Kleenex on-the-go tissue packs, 3 pack
To be honest, I like the packs from Target, but these will do, too.
Price: $3
28. lash glue
Sweat, tears, and champagne miiiight just be the lethal combination to loosen those falsies. Plus we love versatile products that can be used in a pinch to hold leggings and jewelry in place, or temporarily mend broken buttons and beads.
Clear, brush-on strip lash adhesive
DUO adhesive is the industry standard because it’s reliable, clear-drying, and long-lasting.
Price: $6
29. electrolytes & water
Dancing, champagne, and endless conversations will dehydrate you faster than you think. Electrolytes keep you upright instead of fainting during the bouquet toss.
Liquid I.V. electrolytes powder drink mix, 16 count
I’ve found the key to avoiding a hangover is to take one of these before you down 6 vodka cranberries… and another after you throw them all up at the end of the night.
Price: $24
30. lip balm moisturizer
Dry lips don’t pair well with first kisses or photo close-ups. A good lip balm keeps your smile soft, dewy and camera-ready.
LANEIGE lip glowy balm, sheer tinted lip moisturizer with shea butter
A personal favorite, LANEIGE lip balm has shea butter which makes my lips sooo soft. And, this shade particularly adds the prettiest subtle color tint.
Price: $18
31. moist towelettes
Sticky hands, spilled wine, or cake to the face – wipes are your backup plan for a quick fresh-up without taking a shower.
Clean Skin Club clean towels, 50 count
Perfect for makeup removal, sticky hands, or a quick wipe-down to remove sweat or grease.
Price: $18
32. protein bars & snacks
It’s a busy day and a stressful day. Sometimes we forget to eat and get hangry. Keep a few high-protein snacks stashed away to help keep you from reaching category 5 b*tch.
Larabar chocolate chip cookie dough protein bars, 6 count
Between hair, makeup and photos, it’s easy to skip or forget meals. I love, love, love this flavor.
Price: $7
RXBAR chocolate sea salt protein bars, 12 count
A bit more pricy, but I love these RXBARs, and they’re packed with protein and clean ingredients.
Price: $21
33. mints & gum
Kisses, close conversations, coffee and champagne breath – enough said. Don’t leave your partner suffocating at the altar.
ICE BREAKERS sugar-free chewing gum pouch, 100 count
Ice Breakers are my personal go-to for gum, and I usually just keep a pack like this in my pantry for cost-effectiveness. For your kit, just grab a small to-go pack at the convenience store.
Price: $8
34. lens wipes
On your wedding day, the only thing that should be more crystal clear than your commitment to your partner is your glasses and camera lenses.
Pre-moistened lens wipes, 100 count
I like that these are pre-moistened and individually packaged. If you use glasses rather than contacts, keep a few of these in your purse or pocket for backup.
Price: $7
35. dental floss & toothbrushes
The last thing you want is to be smiling with a whole-a$$ charcuterie board in your teeth. And if your friends don’t say something, they ain’t yo friends!
Crest Scope mini disposable toothbrushes with toothpaste and picks, 12 count
These are sooo perfect. Part toothbrush, part flosser. So if your girls DO say something, now you can do something about it!
Price: $10
36. matches or a lighter
Mostly for the smokers and midnight tokers, but a lighter is also great to have for singeing threads and fuzzies. Be cautious, however, lighters with fuel are not TSA-approved!
Rechargeable, windproof, and flameless electric lighter
Rechargeable windproof lighters are eco-friendly, TSA-approved, and last longer than disposables.
Price: $10
37. bug spray & sunscreen
Outdoor weddings mean bugs and sunburns plotting your next ✨menty-b.✨. Keep guests comfortable and your skin safe with a quick spritz or swipe.
Shisheido clear sunscreen stick, SPF 50
I love this sh!t. And the stick applicator makes it so easy to reapply without ruining makeup.
Price: $33
OFF! Botanical bug and mosquito repellent spray
I’m not sure what I did in a past life to mosquitoes, but I’m convinced I’m paying for a sin with how much they attack me. I prefer non-DEET sprays, like this plant-based OFF! spray.
Price: $6
38. markers & pens
From last-minute place card edits to signing vendor checks, pens are the low-key essential nobody thinks to pack. Worst-case scenario, just steal one from the front desk of the venue.
Sharpie permanent markers variety pack
I like this variety Sharpie pack, which has fine tip, regular and wide tip.
Price: $6
39. anti-itch cream
If for some reason the OFF! bug spray doesn’t keep the mosquitoes at bay; don’t spend the rest of the night scratching your skin raw.
Cortizone-10 Maximum Strength Soothing Aloe Itch Relief Cream
Cortizone-10 is dermatologist-recommended and works fast on irritation.
Price: $9
40. cold & flu medicine
Because sometimes the universe really lovesssss to test you. Prevent those ‘allergy sniffles’ and ‘hangover headache’ from turning into something worse.
Alka-Seltzer Plus severe cold and flu
Call me old-school, but there’s something about Alka-Seltzer that always seems to make me feel better when I sense an onset cold.
Price: $10
Alka-Seltzer hangover relief tablets
Honestly, these should be number 1 in this entire list. Not last… I love these little heavenly packets.
Price: $12
keep your kit organized.
stay organized and travel-ready with this hangable toiletry bag. Available in multiple sizes and colors.
DIY emergency wedding kits are an investment.
Listen, it’s simple girl math. 💅
Emergency wedding kits are useful for more than just one night, trip, or wedding. They become amazing travel kits for overnight work trips, vacations, and girls’ trips. And really, it’s priceless to be the ✨ reliable bestie. ✨
Anyway, I hope you found my diy wedding emergency kit list helpful! Be sure to share or save the downloadable checklist for later, you reliable bestie you.
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