At every wedding, behind the scenes, about a hundred and one things don’t go according to the script. And there’s no way you can prepare for every possible contingency.
Thankfully, I’ve NOT seen them all, but I’ve seen a few. The rings that were left at home. The nearby tornado. The band that was late. The dress that wouldn’t bustle. No utensils for the cake cutting. Um, Aunt Flo.
This all ties into another wedding tip featured here on the Picture Michigan blog, and that is to have a great Mistress and/or Master of Ceremonies! They will have access to all vendors, keep an extra eye on the weather, and have your Contingency Kit handy.
I’ve heard this called an emergency kit or a wedding-day survival kit. This is not a stash of items you know you will need during your wedding day. This is a kit of stuff you hope you will not need. But you have it in the event of a hiccup.
First off, troubleshoot with those involved in the planning of your big day and plan according to your events. Items in a contingency kit for a December wedding may be different than for a July wedding, which also applies for an Arizona wedding vs. a wedding on Mackinac Island.
Secondly, be less-than-obvious. Who would have thought we’d need a pair of pliers to bustle the wedding dress??
There are also a ton of lists online.
Here are some items that may go beyond things you’ve already considered or found.
- Find a tool called a Leatherman. It’s a handy tool that’s kind of like a Swiss Army Knife, except without the fork and spoon. This handy tool includes a pair of pliers and screwdrivers.
- A small penlight. Seriously, ya just never know.
- Those feminine hygiene products you think you may not need because the bride won’t need them this week. It does not mean a bridesmaid didn’t loss track of time.
- A sewing kit is very obvious. Safety pins not so much. Have a variety of them handy!
- Medical tape is like duct tape junior. A smaller role makes it convenient.
- Things that are normally in a purse such as makeup, clear nail polish, hair spray and so on, should go in this kit. Add to it a travel-size bottle of baby powder.
- Travel-size of nearly everything available is a good idea.
- Bic lighter.
- Superglue.
- Straws.
- Spare cash/change.
- Extra phone battery/charger.
- It’s a stressful day. A little stress relief can be as close as a shot of nicotine and/or a shot of libation. It’s okay. Just make sure there’s a little mouthwash nearby too!
As for the tornado, I really have no contingency for that one. The small tornado touched down a few miles south of the wedding location and we were a few miles north for a photoshoot with the bridal party.
Funny thing about it all, was that we were completely unaware until we returned. We never heard the sirens.
It was windy and the rain was torrential. The bridal party was huddled under a gazebo during this photoshoot. We all had planned on the possibility of rain. The ceremony and reception was scheduled to be outdoors and under a tent. All went well. The pictures turned out awesome!
