Bridal News

Stephanie Hughes, event planner and owner of Diamond Events, recently penned this article for the new edition of Brides & Weddings of Northern Virginia. Follow Stephanie’s advice, and you’ll be ready for anything!

No matter how organized you are and how much planning you’ve done before the wedding, you should always expect the unexpected. And an emergency kit for your wedding day is the best way to prepare.

If building your own kit, start at least two or three months before the wedding so you can gather the items over time. This allows you to consider the possible needs of your close friends and family. Designate someone to be responsible for the emergency kit; bringing it from location to location and keeping it readily available.

Suggested emergency kit items:

Be prepared on your wedding day

Band Aids * Blotting Papers * Bobby Pins * Bottle of Water * Clear Nail Polish * Deodorant * Emory Board * Feminine Products * Hand Lotion * Hand Sanitizer * Lipstick or Lip Gloss * Mints * Pain Reliever * Qtips * Safety Pins * Small Lint Brush * Super Glue * Tissues * Rums/Rolaids * Sewing Kit with Scissors * Granola Bars or other easy-to-carry Snacks * Chalk (tied for easy packing, to hide scuffs and marks on white leather and fabrics) * Straws

You’ll also want to make a list of items to carry in your purse:

Cell Phone * Handkerchief or Tissues * Lip Gloss or Lipstick to match * Makeup for touch-ups * Mirror * Nail File * Perfume

One of the great advantages to hiring a day of coordinator is the extensive emergency kit this professional brings to every wedding. Your coordinator will carry glue and staple guns, floral wire, hundreds of safety pins, fasteners, packing tape, lighters, scissors and more - there is nothing the kit can’t handle!

So remember, either put your emergency kit in the hands of a professional or start putting yours together early and you’ll be prepared for anything!

One of my regular blog contributors and a favorite wedding friend is event planner Myrna Grossman, owner of For All Occasions in Fairfax. Myrna is busy planning her own wedding to be held this month in Nashville, TN, but she had a few minutes and wanted me to pass along these words of wisdom ….

“I was at a resort this past weekend as a guest at a wedding, when lo and behold, another bride was walking with her photographer through the lobby with her mother holding up her gown and practically tripping so she could keep up with them!!! I was so upset for this poor mom.”

“Ladies and Gents, please, please - if nothing else, have a day of coordinator! Let an expert in the field help with the “chores” of the day. These are not to be done by your moms or any other family member. Every family member should be a guest at the wedding and be able to enjoy themselves. I am sure it was this mom’s pleasure to be holding up the daughter’s gown, but believe me - you don’t want to put your mother in that position!”

Good advice Myrna - isn’t it enough that she raised you? Moms are special guests - not ladies in waiting. To learn more about Myrna and her day of coordinating services, call 703.222.5912.

Best wishes to you, Myrna, and your groom Paul for a fabulous wedding and a long, happy marriage!

Cindie