Bridal Emergency Kit

You know the old saying "always a bridesmaid, never a bride"? My life is kind of like that- except that I am always maid of honour, never a bridesmaid! This weekend I have the privilege to be up there next to the bride for the third time (fourth, but some reckoning!).  And through my years of maid of honouring, I have learned a few tricks about how to best perform my duties!

See, the role of a maid of honour is not to just throw the bachelorette party, or help the bride with fittings and showers, or even to give a speech. One of the most important parts is handling minor stresses on the day of the wedding so that the bride can relax and enjoy herself. Most weddings (OK, all) that I have been to did not have a wedding planner, so in my opinion, the role of problem-solver falls to the MOH.

As such, the maid of honour needs to come prepared! And that means having a kit ready to solve any minor hiccups.

And what is in my kit, you may ask?

1. Bandages: While it is unlikely that the bride will cut herself on the cake knife, a blister or a papercut is quite likely!

2. Nail clippers (or a nail file): when dealing with delicate lace dresses, a snagged nail is no friend

3. Breath mints: the bride is going to be doing a lot of kissing, and I am sure both the bride and groom enjoy fresh breath

4. Needle and thread (in white and the bridesmaids' colour): I actually used this at the last wedding I was in when a hook and eye flew off the back of a dress!

5. Feminine hygiene products: You can imagine that about half the guests and wedding party at a wedding are ladies, and you never know...

6. Eyelash glue: Brides and bridesmaids often wear fake eyelashes when they get all dolled up, but tearing eyes can cause them to pop loose.

7. Bobby pins and hair ties: Bobby pins helps keep everyone's hair in place for photos, but hair ties come in handy for hours of dancing and working up a sweat!

8. Safety pins: Just in case something comes loose

9. Drugs!: A few too many glasses of wine or a lot of loud music can cause a headache that might ruin someone's evening

10. Small scissors: helps to tame runaway threads

11. Stain remover pen: I actually used this too a wedding when a drop of someone's drink got on the wedding dress. They are usually safe for dry-clean-only material, but you can test it on a non-conspicuous spot before using on a stain

12. Tissues: So many people (myself included...) cry at weddings. I have a little trick where I hide a couple tissues in my hand that holds the bouquet! You can even quickly slip one to a crying bridesmaid (or bride, if the timing is right).

Items not pictures (but I usually would bring too) are a small mirror for makeup touch ups and teeth checks, and a pen! You never know when a pen will come in handy...even if it is for getting the number of a cute groomsman ;)

Other items you can bring, if you think your wedding warrants it:
- clear nail polish for pantyhose runs (this is a summer wedding, so no pantyhose)
- fake rings in case the real ones are forgotten at the hotel
- floss
- granola bar (hey- sometimes you don't eat for a long time!)
- hand sanitizer
- super glue
- flask ;)

I keep all items in a plastic baggie so I don't lose anything, and so it stays separate from my own important things- like my cash, ID, and camera!!

I can't wait to be there for my friends on their big day!!! Also- today is the bride's birthday so HAPPY BIRTHDAY JENI!! :D

Myself and the bride and groom at Oktoberfest in 2011!