The Bride's Wedding Day Necessaries

We have received several emails lately, requesting more information or suggestions about what we would consider necessary to bring to the church and reception on the wedding day.  While this may not be a complete list, it may help to avert the pesky last-minute disasters on the most important day of a girl's life. 

The key to a smooth wedding that goes the way it was planned is preparation, preparation, preparation.  Brides and their mothers should be mentally walking through every second of the big day months in advance and trying to think through those things that will be required, as well as those things that may be required.

The first necessary thing are refreshments for the bride and her bridesmaids.  Light refreshments, particularly liquids are essential, before the ceremony, and if there will be a delay between the ceremony and reception, there should be refreshments after the ceremony.  Many a bride or bridesmaid has fainted during the ceremony because this detail was forgotten.  Obviously, the key word here is light.  The other key phrase is go before you get there.  Don't forget to provide inexpensive dusters to cover their dresses if the bridesmaids arrive at your house already dressed, but for heaven's sake, make sure all of them have had a bite to eat and something to drink.  Juices are especially helpful in keeping the blood sugar level up--as well as everyone upright--during the ceremony.  Don't allow either yourself or your bridesmaids to be "hustled" out the door--no matter how late you are--until you have all had a chance to visit the bathroom. 

The bride should bring with her anything she will need to refresh her makeup, chalk, toothpaste (these two are helpful if a stain appears, God forbid!), and at least tissues, if not a handkerchief.  The bride should also bring with her a extra pair of shoes that she has worn before and knows are comfortable.  It is quite possible to break a heel, and a bride can get quite cranky after hours on her feet in new shoes.

On arrival at the site of the ceremony, the bride should have a helper or assistant, whether it is a professional wedding planner, friend, or member of the family, who has in her possession a kit of "necessaries" for the bridal party.  These should include:

• Extra pairs of stockings in case of a run in a nude shade.

• Insole pads for shoes.

• Heel lifts for shoes--you can get these at shoemakers, high-end shoe stores, and some department stores.

• Several sewing needles, and lengths of thread in black, white, and the colors of the bridesmaids.

• Scissors--a 6" to 8" pair--not those little travel kind.

• Hem tape

• Small, medium, and large safety pins, and paper clips.

• Band Aids

• Tissues - several little travel packs to hand out.

• Folding umbrellas for the bridesmaids, large golf umbrella for the bride and groom.

• Aspirin, acetaminophen, antidiarrhea and allergy medicines

• Bottled water for taking aspirin

• Antacid

• Breath mints

• Seltzer water in a small bottle

• Isopropyl alcohol - can be use for lifting stains

• Comb

• Brush

• Hair Spray

• Bobby pins

• Emery boards

• Scotch tape

• Crazy glue

• Spot remover

• Toothpaste and chalk - these can cover a stain on a wedding dress if necessary.

• Clear nail polish for runs in pantyhose

• Blotting papers for shiny noses

• Extra cash, extra place cards, pens

• Eye drops

• Makeup and mirror

• Antistatic spray

• Straws

• Tampons and sanitary pads

Although it's not at all necessary, bridal shops, party supply stores, and of course, Thinkwedding sells Bride's necessary bags.  These are inexpensive white satin bags that the bride can carry to the church and reception that can hold her personal "necessaries."

With the items on this list, the bride can go a long way to averting a last-minute disaster on the most important day of her life!