So you’ve been chosen to be a member of a bridal party this season, congrats! Whether you’re a bridesmaid or the maid-of-honor, you’ve been handpicked by the bride to stand with her on her wedding day. This means she trusts you to be there for her on the big day—basically you’re there to put out any last minute fires. The bride already has a million things to remember (not to mention the added stress of getting married!), so no can expect her to remember every little thing. And while the wedding planner will no doubt have control over the caterers, band, waiters and the like, the task of remembering all the little, seemingly unnecessary things, falls to you. Luckily we’ve created a list of last minute necessities so you—and the bride—can have a stress-free wedding day.
Beauty Touch Ups
Yes, she’ll have an entire team doing her hair and makeup on location, so there isn’t an opportunity for much to go wrong before the ceremony—but what about after? If her beauty team doesn’t stay until the cake has been cut then there’s plenty of time for lipstick to smudge, hair to frizz and mascara to run during teary-eyed I-dos. Prepare your emergency bag with lipstick, lash glue, mascara, tissues, hairspray, nail polish, bobby pins, brushes and any other beauty item that the bride will be using that day. If her beachy braids start to frizz out halfway through the reception, then having a little hair oil and elastics on-hand will make you the hero of the night.
Sartorial Mishaps
They happen. The bride could spill something, someone might step on her train, or a smudge may magically appear on the dress overnight, but you’ll be there to make it right. While some must-haves are obvious (like bringing a sewing kit and Tide stick), it might be beneficial to have some other emergency items on hand. Superglue can fix everything from snapped heels to broken sequins, fashion tape can help keep straying or falling hemlines in place and some wedding experts even suggest bringing white chalk to help cover last-minute smudges. (And while the idea of putting chalk on any wedding dress makes us cringe, the idea of walking down the aisle with anything less than a pristine gown is so much worse.)
First Aid & Health
While the bride may feel like she’s walking on air, her feet might disagree with her. Bring Band Aids, blister protection, pain relievers, deodorant, breath mints, lip balm, toothpicks or floss, a toothbrush and toothpaste, static cling spray, hand sanitizer, eye drops and a first aid kit. This way she’ll be comfortable even if she’s breaking in those bridal shoes for the first time or absentmindedly forgot to put on deodorant or brush her teeth that morning. Stranger things have happened.
Electronics
Bring a charger. In fact, bring a few extra chargers, some wireless chargers, some solar chargers and batteries if you have them. Someone’s grandparent is bound to be using an old point-and-click camera. If the bride remembers her own phone then more power to her, but if you’re prepared with a charger then no matter how many calls and texts she makes to the caterer, florist, photographer or groom that morning, her phone will be ready to go when she starts to take selfies. #WeddingDay
Naughty Little Things
When you think about it, a wedding is a big deal. And some brides need to relieve some of the pre-ceremony jitters with a quick cigarette or just a nip of liquid courage. We’re not suggesting you get the bride drunk before her wedding, but if she’s in full panic mode ordering a bottle of champagne for her and the girls could work wonders to calm her nerves before heading down the aisle.
