Ready for Anything - Bride and Groom Emergency Kits

Having assisted in coordinating many weddings over the years, if there's one thing I've learned it's to expect the unexpected.  The tux rental shop forgets to hem the groom's pants.  Nothing can be found to light the candles.  A bridesmaid's up-do starts to fall out.  A grass stain gets on the wedding dress during picture-taking.

I make sure to let the couple know that an emergency kit will be waiting for them in their dressing room - just in case.  They don't have to worry about dragging these items with them to the venue, and can relax knowing that they'll be prepared for almost anything. 

My checklists are provided below.  What would you add?

Bride's emergency kit:

Spool white thread
Sewing needles
Scissors
Duct tape
Spool wire
Safety pins
White candle
Box matches
Hose size A, B, and Q
Shout wipes
Pearl earrings
Bobby pins
Rubber bands
White trash bags
Ibuprofen
Breath strips
Shoe polish, white
Deoderant
Transparent Tape
Ink pen
Stapler
Moistened towelettes
Static guard
Hair spray
Baby powder
Hand Lotion
Stick Pins for Flowers
Hand held fan
Hand mirror
Manicure set
Tissues
Sanitary napkins
Bandaids

Groom's Emergency Kit:

Spool black thread
Sewing needles
Scissors
Duct Tape
Shoe Polish, Black
Safety pins
White candle
Box matches
StaticGuard
Shout Wipes
Deoderant
Ink Pen
Moistened towelettes
White Trash Bags
Ibuprofen
Breath Strips
Hand Lotion
Manicure Set
Tissues
Bandaids

CHEW ON THIS - UNIQUE USES FOR GUMBALLS

 

I just love these ideas from http://www.gumballs.com/ for incorporating gumballs into your wedding decor.  Gumballs come in all sizes, colors, and flavors, and are an inexpensive way to add a little whimsy to your wedding reception.

Place gumballs matching your theme in clear containers for an fun and colorful centerpiece.  Or, put all white gumballs in a variety of tinted jars and vases.  Add ribbon and a monogrammed sticker and you've got an elegant table favor.

EVENT PLANNING BASICS - RESPECT THE VENUE!

True story from an event coordinator at a popular venue: A corporation was holding an all-day retreat in a gorgeous renovated barn located on the property. Their coordinator made an appearance every half hour throughout the morning to make sure the group's needs were being met. Everything seemed to be going smoothly, but quickly turned sour when, in between her walk-throughs, some fast-thinking person yanked a rented tablecloth off a table and nailed it to the gorgeous knotty pine paneling of the meeting space and used it as a projection screen! The group never requested an AV screen either during the planning process nor at any time during setup. Needless to say, their deposit was not returned so the rental company could be reimbursed for the ruined tablecloth, and the walls could be repaired.


The moral of this story? Think through what your needs will be regarding equipment, decorations and display areas and make them known to the venue prior to the event. NEVER use a stapler, staple-gun, tacks, glue gun, duct tape, nails or anything of a permanent nature. Floral wire or residue-free tape will usually be okay, but you should always ask first.

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