Seeing as how this week is all about sharing the love, I thought I'd give you a peek inside my emergency kit. So many planners act guarded about their ER kits as if it is the key to all their tricks of the trade. It's not. But it can save the day and it has. This list doesn't include everything we, at Blue Orchid Designs, have with us at weddings - that would be a really long post - but hopefully it will give you some ideas of what to have on hand as you prepare for literally anything.


Holding it Together and Holding it In
We have with us about seven different kinds of tape at events (possibly more) and we have used each kind: double-sided tape, fashion tape, gift scotch tape (handy to have a roll hidden discreetly on the gift table so the attendant can attach any cards that get separated from their gifts), floral tape, clear duct tape, waterproof tape, and my fave, black Gorilla tape. This stuff rocks and I've even used it to hold up the hems in my own pants when they've fallen out while running around. It's a lot like duct tape, but in my experience, holds up much stronger:



Also handy: a hot glue gun, glue dots and this waterproof wax glue stuff that holds candles in place even while they are submerged in water.

There is a new trend in bridesmaid fashions that showcase dresses that are low cut both in the front and the back. These styles can be very elegant and chic but often leave your maids braless. No big deal until a few cocktails and turns around the dance floor later and all your guests get an unexpected show they weren't prepared for. Ask any wedding consultant or photographer and I'm sure they will tell you that they've seen more of their fair share of this mishap. Throw some pasties into the kit so that they are on hand while the girls are getting ready and so that everything stays in place, or at least covered up, for the rest of the celebration. These Hollywood No-Shows from Hollywood Fashion Tape are my favorite.

Pins in all shapes and sizes are also included. Bobby pins (both black and the lighter brown for brides with blonde hair), corsage pins, safety pins, push pins, and diaper pins. Diaper pins are hands down the best safety pins for fixing broken bustles (which happens at 98% of all weddings) because they are the sturdiest. You can find them at Target or pretty much any store that carries baby stuff.


Powering Up
Batteries in all sizes are a must. We also carry extension cords and a couple different surge protectors/adapters. This little guy is my favorite of these - whoever invented it is a genius!



Multi-purpose lighters and matches are a staple as well as as the tap on/tap off moon lights.


The Often Overlooked
At every wedding we have both a satin-padded and wooden hanger. I describe the reason why in more detail in this post, but basically I am so tired of seeing beautiful photos of couture wedding dresses on ugly plastic or wire drycleaner hangers. The hanger is not something that can be fixed easily in photoshop and then that distracting element is included in your wedding album for all of eternity. So, pack a pretty hanger for the day of and make sure all the details in your photos are gorgeous and complement one another.

Tampons and maxi pads are another staple and you would be surprised how many brides start unexpectedly on their wedding day. Even if you are on birth control, the stress and extra hormones pumping through your body in the days leading up to your wedding can cause an unwelcome and unplanned visit. I also recommend talking to your doctor about this possibility and finding out what they advise should it occur. There are some simple solutions, but since I am not a medical professional I cannot hand out that advice and I will not on the wedding day, even though it may help you. As a business owner, I simply can't take on that liability. So, talk to your doctor and have some feminine products on hand just in case.

Handkerchiefs are great at getting deodorant off of suits and dresses, but the absolute best is that strip of spongey, felt-like fabric that comes on the hanger from your dry-cleaner. Whenever I get clothes back from the cleaners, I pull that stuff off and stick it in my emergency kit. It works wonders. Gal Pal has marketed this miracle-worker into handy little sponges, so if you don't want to save it from your hangers, you can buy a pack and throw it in your purse.



Clear earring backs are also a lifesaver, or at least a jewelry saver, especially with the dangly earrings that tend to slide out over the course of the day. I buy the inexpensive ones from Claire's since they won't be coming back to me and I give a fresh pair to whomever may need them.