“Be prepared” – Boy Scout Motto 

Always a bridesmaid… One way to ensure you’re the best bridesmaid/Maid of Honor ever is to ensure you come boy scout prepared with everything you, the bride, or the other members of the wedding party may need on the wedding day.

I once saw the wedding planner show up with a whole toolbox full of supplies. While she had a lot of essentials for the wedding day, I quickly learned as a MOH that there were some essentials I needed to carry as well. Let’s not forget my bridesmaid’s fail of having to use duct tape to keep my dress up because I forgot boob tape. So over the years, I’ve collected a list of items that I should keep in my bag the next time I’m lucky enough to be a Maid of Honor.

Outfit Essentials

• Stain remover
• Safety pins
• Boob tape (don’t be like me)
• Small sewing kit (including small scissors)
• Thread the color of the wedding dress and bridesmaid dresses
• Steamer
• Lint roller
• Earring backs

Beauty Essentials

• Hairspray
• Comb
• Bobby pins
• Hair ties
• Nail clippers (I hate hangnails)
• Blotting paper
• Cover up
• Lip balm/gloss
• Lipstick touch up
• Cotton swabs & makeup remover
• Hand lotion
• Small mirror

Hygiene Essentials

• Breath mints
• Deodorant
• Tampons

Survival Essentials

• Pain reliever
• Bandaids
• A small snack (don’t get hangry)
• Tissues or handkerchief (consider gifting the bride with a blue handkerchief to kill two birds with one stone)
• Hand sanitizer
• Anti-blister stick
• Phone
• Portable charger or power cord

Martha Stewart (long live the queen) also suggests packing items such as bug spray, sunscreen, and Benadryl for an outdoor wedding. And insideweddings.com suggest carrying a pair of comfortable and packable shoes.

You may not be able to or have room to carry all of these essentials on a wedding day. Sadly, most bridesmaid dresses don’t have enough pockets (especially for the steamer). So I’ve also created a list of purse essentials if you can only carry a small handbag or clutch. I’d suggest having a larger bag or box nearby with the other necessities.

Purse Essentials

• Safety pins
• Small stain remover stick
• Breath mints
• Bandaids
• Pain reliever
• Blotting paper
• Lip balm
• Hand sanitizer

There are lots of great photogenic clutches perfect for a wedding day. Stay tuned in the coming months for a blog about wedding day accessories.

 

Some brides may choose to gift their MOH or bridesmaids with an essentials kit. But because you’re a great boy scout member of the wedding party, I’d suggest having some essentials of your own already packed and ready to go.