Every coordinator has an emergency kit. Mine has saved a seating chart, a pair of wedding bands and at least one pair of very tired feet.
When I first started, I built my kit from checklists I found online. Over time it grew into something much more personal. Every item earned its place through experience, and there’s one rule I still follow: any time I wish I had something, it goes in the bag for next time. You never know what will come in handy.
I recently upgraded from a backpack to a rolling bag. It was a game changer. It looks more polished, and my back thanks me.
Here’s what’s inside.
Wardrobe Fixes
- Sewing kit
- Safety pins
- Fashion tape
- Bobby pins
Along with scissors, these are my most-used items, at almost every wedding. Someone always needs a quick stitch, a strap secured or a hem pinned before photos.
Stains and Spills
- Stain remover
- Chalk
- Tissues
Stain remover is a close runner-up for most-used. Between makeup, drinks and a whole day of hugs, it’s rarely a question of if.
White chalk does double duty. It’s a classic trick for covering small marks on a white dress, and it works for last-minute touch-ups on chalkboard signs.
Signs, Flowers and DIY Setup
- Scissors
- Tape
- Ribbon
- Floral pins
I work with a lot of DIY couples, so scissors and tape come out often, for assembling handmade pieces on site, putting “Reserved” signs on ceremony seats, and keeping welcome signs secure on their easels, especially outdoors.
Boutonnieres sometimes arrive with only one pin, or none at all, so I started carrying my own to make sure they stay put through every hug and photo.
Floral pins have come in handy in other ways too. At one wedding, the pin holding the seating chart to a corkboard broke. We trimmed down one of my floral pins and used it instead. No one ever knew.
Rings
- Emergency wedding bands
- A ring box
- Jewelry cleaner pen
This one comes from experience. Years ago, when I was an assistant coordinator, a couple forgot their wedding bands at their hotel in downtown Los Angeles, minutes before the ceremony. I ran through downtown, searched their hotel room, found the rings and ran back to the venue in time.
Now I carry a backup set of bands. I hope I never need them, but if I do, the ceremony can go on.
Beauty and Freshening Up
- Spray-on deodorant
- Hair ties
- Razors
- Manicure kit
- Clear coat nail polish
- Peppermints to help calm nerves
Clear polish is one of those small items that does more than you’d expect. It touches up a chipped manicure before ring photos, stops a run in tights from spreading, and helps keep a loose thread or button in place until the end of the night.
Comfort and First Aid
- A simple first aid kit
- Mosquito repellent
- Clean socks
One bride forgot socks to wear with the sneakers she’d changed into. I happened to have a clean pair on me and gave them to her. Now emergency socks are a permanent part of my kit, because blisters shouldn’t be part of anyone’s wedding memories.
Tech and Tools
- A multi-port charging cable
- Pens
- A small handheld fan
My charging cable works with any phone, which helps more people than you’d expect. I’ve used it for my own phone, for the DJ, and for guests more than once.
And the fan? I use it to blow out candles at the end of the night. There are a lot of candles at weddings, and blowing them all out yourself makes you lightheaded fast. The fan is quicker and much more graceful.
Packing Your Own Kit?
If you’re not working with a coordinator, put together a small kit and hand it to someone you trust, like a bridesmaid, a groomsman or a family member. Start with these:
- Sewing kit and safety pins
- Fashion tape
- Stain remover
- Bobby pins and hair ties
- Clear nail polish
- Tissues
- A phone charger
- Clean socks or blister bandages
- Mints
Or Leave the Kit to Me
With every package, my kit comes with me, along with years of experience knowing when to reach for it. Whatever comes up, I’ve got you covered, so you can stay present and enjoy your day.
Not sure whether your venue coordinator handles the details that come up on the day? Read the difference between a venue coordinator and your own wedding coordinator.
