What’s In My Bag: Your Connecticut Wedding Planner’s Emergency Kit

Every experienced wedding planner knows that wedding day can be full of surprises–and not always the fun kind. As your Connecticut wedding planner, it’s my job to be prepared to handle anything that may go wrong on your big day. That’s why I carry an ‘emergency kit’ full of tools and supplies to problem-solve any issues that may arise on wedding day. Today I’m sharing what’s in my wedding day emergency kit!

Have you ever wondered what wedding planners carry with them on wedding day? Want to know what tools I’ll have in my bag on your big day? Today I’m giving you a peak behind the curtain! Let’s talk about what I have in my emergency kit as a professional wedding planner in Connecticut.

But First, the Bags

I’ve spent a lot of time carrying my emergency supplies, and trust me, the right bags make all the difference. But over time, I’ve found some great bags! They’re convenient, affordable, and hold all of the things I need to get you through your big day.

My Primary Planner Bag

The right bag for carrying all of my wedding planning supplies needed to be spacious, have lots of pockets, and have wheels to easily roll it along with me. I ended up choosing this BYOOTIQUE Rolling Makeup Case. It was intended for makeup artists, but the size and organization was perfect for me as a wedding planner!

My Fanny Pack

Yep, that’s right–on your wedding day, I’ll be wearing my trusty fanny pack! I use a fanny pack to carry around the small things I need to have on me at all times. I love this one from CXWMZY. It’s a simple black bag, but it has multiple zippered pockets to keep everything well-organized. It’s also water-resistant!

So, What’s Inside?

Now that you know a little bit about the bags I use, let’s talk about the tools and supplies I carry in them!

Portable Charger

A good portable charger is a MUST for any big event–especially a wedding. As your wedding planner, I need to keep my phone fully charged at all times. But I also don’t want you to stress about your own phone’s battery! I like this Charmast portable charger because it comes with multiple built-in charging cables for different devices, PLUS extra input and output options. It can charge almost any device you might need!

Rechargeable Electric Lighter

There are plenty of useful situations for a lighter, especially at a wedding. This electric candle lighter from MEIRUBY is perfect for the job. It’s rechargeable, so I never have to worry about running out of lighter fluid. And since it’s made for lighting candles, it’s long enough to light anything I need!

Hair Dryer

As an experienced wedding planner, I always carry a hair dryer on event days. You never know when it might come in handy! If anyone in the wedding party needs to fix their hair, it’s available. If someone’s clothing gets wet from rain, puddles, or anything else, a hair dryer can help us quickly dry them off. It can even serve as a last-minute fix for wrinkles! I carry this compact hair dryer from Conair. The folding handle makes it super convenient!

Hairspray

Hairstyle issues are some of the most common last-minute problems I run into on wedding day. Whether the bride has a few stray hairs, a bridesmaid needs help finishing her ‘do, or the mother of the groom is worried her curls won’t hold, an extra bottle of hairspray is always a necessity in my emergency kit. I love the SexyHair BIG Spray & Stay Intense Hold Hairspray. It’s humidity-resistant for up to 72 hours!

Umbrella

Rain may be considered a sign of good luck for the bride and groom’s marriage, but it can still create plenty of problems for the actual wedding! A compact umbrella is just one of the many ways I plan ahead for the possibility of rain. I like this windproof one. And here’s a tip: a clear umbrella looks very chic in photos if necessary!

Tools

Sometimes a wedding-day emergency requires getting a little handy. I like to carry a small kit of household tools with me to ensure that if small issues arise, I can take care of them myself. I keep this Hi-Spec Drill Set in my bag. It comes with a cordless power screwdriver, hammer, and other basic handheld tools. I also carry a portable pocket pen screwdriver set and a keychain measuring tape. I even have a pack of nails in assorted sizes.

Glue, Tape, Fasteners, & More

There’s always something that needs to be stuck back together on wedding day. My bag is full of supplies for these types of little fixes. I have this travel-sized duct tape; a clear, double-sided mounting tape; an assortment of zip ties (I even keep different colors on hand); hook and loop (Velcro-style) adhesive strips; small safety pins; large safety pins; even more safety pins; double-sided Scotch tape; Gorilla Super Glue; U-Glue adhesive dashes; and a tagging gun and tagging barbs for labeling.

Batteries

Dead batteries always happen at the worst times. I keep a variety of battery types on hand just in case. Lithium coin batteries, 9-volts, AAA batteries,and a pack of rechargeable AAs and AAAs.

Chapstick

The last thing we want is dry lips on wedding day! I always keep a few sticks of Chapstick with SPF on hand.

Travel Straws

I won’t let you skip hydration just to preserve your wedding makeup. That’s why I keep a pack of these reusable travel straws in my bag.

Mints

It’s always a good idea to have mints on hand! I like these sugar-free PUR mints. I also like these travel-sized boxes of Tic-Tacs in assorted flavors including mint, orange, spearmint, peach, and passionfruit!

Flashlight

It’s always a good idea to have a flashlight on hand. I keep this waterproof pocket tactical flashlight in my emergency kit.

Deodorant

In the rush of wedding day, someone is bound to forget to put on deodorant! My emergency kit includes a 6-pack of travel-sized deodorant sticks so no one has to go without. I also have a pack of Lume deodorant wipes!

Hand Sanitizer

With so many people in one place, chances are, someone has a cold and doesn’t even know it. It’s a good idea to have some hand sanitizer available!

Handheld Mini Fan

I like to have a few handheld fans in my kit in case someone gets overheated, sweaty, or just needs some air. I like this one from JISULIFE in green or in pink.

Dog Toys

If my clients want to have their pets involved on their big day, they need to know that I’ll think of the little things that go along with that. For instance, I like to carry these tennis ball squeaky toys in case a dog needs something to focus on while the wedding party gets ready!

Ear Plugs

Everyone deserves to have a good time at the wedding, even if they’re sensitive to noise. I keep a pack of these ear plugs in my emergency kit just in case!

Floral Tool Kit

I’m not a florist, and I trust the florists I work with to do amazing work! But just in case something goes wrong mid-wedding, I have this little floral arrangement tool kit to fix issues in the moment.

Insect Repellant

If you’ll be outdoors during any portion of your wedding day, you need insect repellant! I like DEET-free options like this OFF! Botanicals one and this No-Natz one. I also keep these insect-repellant wipes in my kit.

Lint Rollers

You never know when someone may need to brush off some lint or fuzzies. I use this retractable and refillable one, and this alternate version.

Compact Scissors

A stray tag, extra ribbon…or whatever else you need. Scissors are a must-have on wedding day! I like these folding ones.

Travel Shoe Horn

As much as we may all want to be as comfortable as possible, wedding shoes aren’t always the comfiest. I keep a travel shoe horn in my bag to help get those (usually brand-new) shoes on!

Sticky Notes

I don’t want to leave anything to chance–or to memory. So I keep a pack of Post-It notes in my emergency kit! I also have a pack of highlighters in my bag.

Tampons

Aunt Flo doesn’t care if it’s wedding day! So I carry a pack of assorted-absorbency tampons with me. I like these ones from Tampax. I also keep a pack of pantiliners in my bag.

Condoms

Yes, seriously. When I say I’m prepared for any emergency, I mean any. I’m committed to making sure my clients have a stress-free wedding day (and night)! I keep a pack of these Trojan condoms in my emergency bag–just in case.

Manicure Tool Kit

If anything goes wrong with the bride’s nails (or her bridesmaid’s), I’m always prepared for a fix with this manicure tool kit.

Tiny Containers

With all the tiny things I keep in my bag, I need good containers for them! These little containers are perfect for bobby pins, safety pins, and all the other small things I carry in my emergency kit.

Health & Wellness Supplies

Whether you have acid reflux or a sore throat, I keep plenty of supplies on hand to help you feel your best throughout your wedding day! My wedding-day emergency kit includes fruit-flavored TUMS; berry-flavored TUMS; chewable Pepto-Bismol; Ricola cough drops; over-the-counter allergy meds; pain relievers; and contacts solution!

Miscellaneous Beauty & Clothing Supplies

Over the years I’ve learned to anticipate a lot of little situations that could cause big problems if they aren’t dealt with. I’ve learned to carry bobby pins; a variety pack of earring backs; eyelash glue; anti-friction powder; Tide stain remover pens; Grandma’s Secret Spot Remover; anti-blister stick; fabric freshener spray; disposable mini toothbrushes (with built-in tongue scrapers, toothpaste, and floss!); lemon-scented hand wipes; stain removal wipes; nail glue; glasses lens cleaning wipes; boob tape and nipple covers; body and face cleansing wipes; a compact mirror; and a hair bun accessory kit.

First Aid Kit

Anything can happen on wedding day, and it’s my job to be prepared! That includes carrying supplies for a wide range of first aid situations. My first aid kit includes: these sheer self-adhesive bandages; triple antibiotic ointment; Bacitracin ointment; alcohol wipes; sterile gauze pads; and bee sting/bug bite wipes.

Something Blue

Sometimes the bride needs an extra hair pin at the last minute. I like these ones that add a little ‘something blue’!

British Sixpence Coin

Every wedding can use a little extra luck. I always carry a sixpence–it’s a thoughtful touch!

Now You Know!

It’s a lot, but I’ve spent years learning all of the little things that go into pulling off a wedding (and handling the emergency situations that come up along the way). So if you’ve ever wondered why working with a Certified Wedding Planner in Connecticut matters, now you know! You can view my entire emergency kit must-have list here. And if you’re planning a Connecticut wedding, reach out! I can’t wait to work with you.