Wedding Emergency Kit Ideas for the Bride and Her Bridesmaids

When it finally comes to the big day, it’s no shock that things can get a bit hectic for the bride and her bridal party, but it doesn’t have to be. To ensure that the day goes smoothly, creating a Wedding Emergency Kit filled with helpful items is a great idea to have on hand the day of the wedding. This kit will help you have that memorable wedding without any of the disruptions. To prepare you and your bridal party for any unexpected bumps in the road, here are some ideas to pack in your Wedding Emergency Kit!

Snacks & Water

The first and most important items to include in your kit should be snacks and water to sustain energy throughout the day. It’s a big day for you and can get overwhelming at times causing you to forget to eat or drink throughout the day. Have snacks high in protein and plenty of water so that nobody passes out or gets dehydrated. No one wants to be around a hangry bride or bridesmaid!

Perfume & Deodorant

 A big day filled with running around and nerves can make you and your party a little sweaty. Packing mini body sprays and deodorant sticks will make it easy for you and your bridal party to freshen up quickly. If you feel you’ll sweat a lot, especially if your wedding is outdoors on a hot day, there are plenty of ways to freshen up quickly without a shower!

Hair Accessories

Hair brushes, bobby pins, hair spray, and hair ties are all crucial to pack in your kits. You will wish you had all of these when looking back on pictures and notice that random strand of hair hanging. It’s better to have these on hand for any hair mishaps that might happen throughout the day.

Needle and Thread 

Packing a needle and thread is crucial. Make sure to pack the colour of your wedding dress and bridesmaid dresses for an easy fix of any snags that happen throughout the day. It’ll be a quick fix, and no one will realize anything went wrong in the first place.

Mints & Floss

 Wedding days involve a lot of talking, whether it be giving a speech or talking to all of the guests. Pack plenty of mints and floss so that no one has to worry about smelly breath or having food stuck in their teeth in photos. There are even mouthwash tablets to quickly freshen up your whole mouth. Chapstick would also be a great addition to add here to prevent your lips from getting dry. 

 Mini First Aid Kit

 A mini first aid kit is a great idea to include in your wedding emergency kit! Pack it with band-aids, burn relief, eye drops, etc. This will give you some peace of mind knowing that if anything were to happen to you or your bridal party, you have the essentials.

Medications

To help with any ailments that may happen during the wedding, medications such as ibuprofen and allergy medicine are great to include in your kit just in case. It’s also good to remind your bridal party to bring any medications they take on a daily basis, such as prescribed birth control, an inhaler, or EpiPen. 

Stain Remover 

Bringing something like a stain remover stick could really save the day! There’s no preventing a spill, but there is a way to fix it if it does happen. For the bride, white chalk is another great fix to cover up the stain without anyone noticing. For more last-minute stain removing tips, go here!

 Travel Size Makeup

Even the best beauty gurus need to touch up their makeup throughout the day, especially when you’re wearing more makeup than usual. Be sure to pack a good blotting powder, bronzer, lipstick, and anything else you think you and your bridal party would like. Having travel size makeup will make touch-ups a breeze.

How To Personalise Your Wedding For Your Guests

 As much as this is your day, and no one will take that away from you or upstage you, the one thing you shouldn’t place at the bottom of the list is your guests. After all, these people make the wedding what it is – with their presence, their energy, and hence deserve to be honored. They are there to celebrate and witness your commitment; therefore, their happiness, joy and of course, thoughtful party favors should be near the top of your priority list. 

Just in case you’re swamped planning all the other details of your wedding, such as the photography, the perfect venue, catering, décor and wedding attireand beauty department, we’re here with an incredible list of thoughtful ideas that will make your guests feel highly cherished. It’s time to show them how much their presence means to you. 

Starting before the beginning 

The best way to set a personal tone long before the wedding is with personalized save the date cards and/or invitations. Contrary to popular belief, this doesn’t have to break the bank. You can choose the cards and invites that speak to your personality, but you can perhaps include a hand-written note with an inside joke or something sentimental to each of your guests, or even include a photo in the envelope to show them that this particular invite was meant just for them. 

The mandatory step 

Instead of simply placing numbers on the tables, walk the extra mile and have individual place cards with everyone’s name on them. You may not think these things matter all that much, but they show your guests that you’ve thought of them and made sure they sit at the best place for them. Also, take your time with the seating chart and ensure that all the people who are placed together are in friendly terms. This will make the conversation flow, and people will have much more fun when they’re seated next to someone they know and love. 

The little things that mean the world 

Whether you are planning on a big or a small wedding, centerpiecesare a must-have. However, instead of the uniformed centerpieces, perhaps you can dig through your memories and think which flowers are your guests’ favorites. Of course, you don’t want to throw off the entire color palette by having completely different centerpieces, but compromise can always be found. If you’re for instance, going for white flowers, make sure you go for a variety in terms of the types of flowers so every table feels like you did something special for them. 

To cherish and to use 

Party favors should never be chosen at the last minute. Trust us, when you do something at quarter to twelve, it shows, and your guests will know it. There are tons of gorgeous party favor ideas, from personalized phone cases, magnets they can put on their fridge, a voucher for an upcoming event. Another amazing idea, that is both practical, useful and meaningful if quality cosmetics packages placed in gorgeous gift bags. 

If you’re throwing a French-themed wedding, for instance, the venue will probably have an abundance of French things like lavender, chic tablecloths, stemless wine glasses and all things French. To give them a little touch of Provence to take home, hand or facial creams, body mists or massage oils from the incredible L’Occitane linewill make for a perfect wedding memento. For the gentlemen, you can incorporate shaving creams or a fragrance – all depending on your knowledge of their taste. It will be a gift that will remind them of the gorgeous day every time they use it, and they will use it frequently. 

An extra dose of personalized fun 

Sure, eventually, when you get to it, you will send your guests your wedding photos via email. However, people love to have an instant memento they can take home, which is why renting out a photo booth is an awesome investment. They can take silly photos with different masks and goofy props, and even the two of you can pop inside the booth and be in the photos as well. Make sure you stock up on those masks and props, because trust us, there will be people who will want to take them home. 

Last, but not least 

Traditionally, weddings include a plethora of people from different generations and different tastes in music. We know it’s your day and you want the kind of music that the two of you can dance it out to, but don’t be oblivious to your guest’s desires too. If some oldies should be included for all the moms, grandparents and cousins, so be it. The playlist should include more than the top 50 dance hits. In this aspect, you should be a people pleaser and have everyone’s music taste in mind. In the end, you want a full dancefloor of happy people having fun, correct? Well, then pay special attention to your wedding playlist. 

Giving back to those who came to celebrate you on one of the biggest days of your life isn’t difficult. It simply takes a little consideration and attention to detail. If you can plan an entire wedding from scratch, you can include these little things as well. It won’t hurt you, but it will show your guests just how much you appreciate them being there.  

About The Author

Sophia Smith is a fashion and beauty blogger, a graphic designer and a DIY enthusiast. Design plays a huge role in her personal expression. Also, she focusing on minimalism and good quality. Sophia love sharing content that inspires people. She has contributed to a number of publications including: Viva Glam Magazine, Just Haves, Secret Garden, Cause Artist, How to Simplify and Carousel.

You can find out more about her writing by following her on: Facebook  Twitter  Google +

10 Things to Put on Your Honeymoon Packing List

Now that the wedding euphoria is officially over, you and your hubby can finally concentrate on your first vacay preps as a married couple, and you don’t want to miss some of the things we’ve listed here. 

A pouch will do

If you are heading to an exotic destination, then packing the whole makeup kit is complete nonsense. You don’t need a lot of makeup for hot weather as your face can turn runny, and you’ll eventually end up using only three or four products. It would be best if you could go for the products that will give you a healthy glow and make you look fresh all the time. Take a mascara, an SPF cream, a bronzer and some sheer lipgloss, and you’ll look like the goddess you are. Also, a seductive fragrance is likely to spice up your first days of marriage.

Great hair do care

If you want to avoid looking like Monica from the episode of ‘Friends’ where she had her hair all frizzy due to humidity, then don’t rely on your hotel room’s hair dryers, ‘cause they will probably do the same to your hair. Since you can’t bring your hair stylist to third wheel your honeymoon, and do your hair at the same time, having a hair straightener or a curling wand would save the day. However, a quality hair dryer is more important, so you won’t have to overpack your suitcase with both of the hot tools. You can easily get your hair straight while blow drying and combing at the same time. 

Travel iron

We are all familiar with that horrible feeling of seeing our clothes wrinkled when the vacay hasn’t even started yet. No matter how well you’ve organized your luggage, wrinkles are inevitable and are there to remind us our holiday can suck, too. Therefore, a mini iron could be your lifesaver, as they are very compact and won’t use too much space.

Bathing suit

Regardless of the destination, there will always be a pool where you can hang out and drink cocktails, or a spa center where you two lovebirds can spend a romantic evening. Look for swimwear that emphasizes your best features and conceals the flaws. A one-piece is a good choice, and if you are already sunkissed, then opt for bright colors like hot red, tangerine, or yellow.

Instant Polaroid camera

I’m sure you’ll want to capture every single moment spent with your bae. This cool, retro gadget lets you have physical photos that will make your memories last forever, and you can make a small photo album afterwards. You can also keep some of the dearest photos in your wallet, which will always remind you of your perfect honeymoon.

Books

Some light-literature would do, especially when you want to switch off from the world.

Insect repellent

Although this doesn’t blend with our sexy essentials list, you’d certainly want to escape the ‘I told you so’ line from your mom when you get back home. An insect repellent spray is a must-have, and it’s suitable for a couple traveling anywhere tropical. It is extremely efficient on ticks, mosquitos or anything that bites. So, be smart and better get yourself one, before the annoying bugs get you.

Nail tools

Since you’re gonna be around water too much, you don’t want to risk your nails getting chipped and nasty. 

Surprise him with some fierce outfits

Considering you’re newlyweds now, every night should be a special date night. That’s why you have to make a few killer combinations that will leave him speechless. Think in advance what clothes you’ll be wearing each night and make it sultry! 

So, looking forward to your ‘luna de miel’? If so, take some of these things into account and thank us later.

This article is written by Brigitte Evans from highstylife.com

A Guide To Grooming for The Groom

As the groom, the effort you need to put into looking your best for the big day might not seem too stressful. After all, the focus of most of your wedding guests is going to be on your beautiful, blushing bride, who has no doubt read up on every beauty checklist she could find. 

However, while all eyes are going to be on her, it’s important to remember that she’ll only have eyes for you. It’s the moment that she’ll remember forever - the day that you both vowed to love each other forever, in good times and in bad. You’ll want to make sure that the picture she saves in her memory is a good one.

Here are some tips to make sure you look sharp. 

Get Fit

If you have a few months before your nuptials, set some fitness goals for yourself and get into a workout routine. Getting in shape does more than help you tone up or slim down, it helps to boost your confidence and works as an effective stress reliever. Your workout could be as simple as going for a walk on lunch, or as intensive as setting up time with a personal trainer. It all depends on the goals that you set for yourself. Plus, if your bride-to-be is looking for ways to slim down and fit into her dream dress, developing a fitness plan can be something you do together!

Take Care of Your Skin      

 Skincare is essential in looking and feeling your best. The last thing you want is to be dealing with a stress-induced breakout on the day of your wedding. Take steps to maintain a clear complexion by making sure to follow a regular skin care routine with a standard facial cleanser and moisturizer. If you can, try not to use any new products too soon before you say your ‘I do’s’, since a change in product can cause more breakouts.

For many men, shaving is another component in taking care of their skin. Since your bride-to-be probably doesn’t have experience in best practices for facial shaving, it’s mostly up to you to make sure that you shave properly. Improper shaving practices can cause you to breakout, so it’s important that you alternate out your razor every 6-8 weeks, store it in a dry place away from your shower to avoid bacteria build-up caused by water exposure, and properly navigate the grains of your facial hair. 

The Small Details Matter Most

As the groom, you don’t generally have to worry about a range of dress options since your go-to is going to be a simple black tuxedo. With your outfit pretty much decided, the small details in your appearance are what truly matters. This means making sure that your teeth, nails and eyebrows are all groomed to perfection. 

Imagine it’s time to complete your vows and have your bride put on your wedding ring only for her to see your dirty fingernails - yuck! Make a spa day with your bride-to-be and treat yourself to a mani-pedi. If you want to save money, try having a DIY beauty night at home. Also, consider switching out your toothpaste for one with whitening qualities or trying out whitening strips.

While everyone’s telling the bride she looks like a princess - you’ll look like the proper prince she deserves.

Perfect Presents for the Bridesmaids and Groomsmen

Planning a wedding is an overwhelming and high-stress few months. You become consumed by cake options, buying decorations, finding the perfect photographer and a lot of other small details. Luckily, you have a group of trusted friends and family members to help offer you support every step of the way. So, even if you are feeling the stress of planning, you cannot forget thank you gifts for your wedding party. After all, they organize and throw your bachelor(ette) parties and a wedding shower! So, we’ve put together a list of a few thoughtful presents for every budget, to help you show your appreciation to your wedding party.

 Accessories

Image by Dahlia & Grace Photography

Gifting your bridesmaids and groomsmen accessories that can be worn for your wedding day and long after, shows them that you put a lot of thought into thanking them. The last thing you want to do is give them something that they will feel obligated to hold onto but won’t want to use after your special day ends. 

Jewellery will always be a timeless gift for the bridesmaids. If you want to give your girls something that can be worn in the wedding, sticking with something simple is best. A pair of earrings with a matching necklace is a perfect and affordable present. Your girls will have plenty of options to wear this set long after your wedding. If you want to gift the bridesmaids something that they won’t be wearing for the wedding and get something more in line with their personal style, consider a charm braceletfeaturing their favorite quote, color or animal. Putting in a little extra care to get something you know they will love is perfect to show your appreciation.

Your groomsmen will look dapper with a matching tie bar and cufflink set, get yourself a set as well, and the whole crew will look on-point! Plus, you can personalize these ones with their first initial, this will offer them a gift that they will want to wear to every formal occasion from now on.

If you want a fun and casual photo opportunity for your whole wedding party, then look into getting sunglasses for everyone by ordering in bulk. This will save you money and time, by making one simple purchase for every person in your wedding. And you will be bringing the whole group together by giving them a matching gift that can be worn for a fun photoshoot.

Outings 

Image by Dahlia & Grace Photography

To thank your wedding party and show off just how well you know them, gift them each an experience you know they will enjoy. After months of helping you plan, maybe a few out of your crew need a relaxing spa day. You can head to a local spa and get gift certificates for massages, manicures or pedicures. Or if your wedding party is full of foodies, then grab certificates at a new local eatery for them to try. This is another idea that has endless options, although it may be more pricey, it is thoughtful and will take very little time out of your planning schedule to achieve! 

Gift Baskets

If you and your fiancé are frugal and crafty, then look no further than Pinterest. The options are truly endless here and give you the perfect opportunity to get personal and thoughtful. So, have a fun night in with your fiancé crafting each bridesmaid and groomsmen their own gift basket. Maybe your maid-of-honor loves to be in her kitchen, cooking and baking any chance she can get. Throw together a basket full of tea towels, measuring cups, a rolling pin and spices! Or if one of your groomsmen is a movie buff, make a basket full of DVDs of current releases and popcorn, candy and soda to set him up for a night of binge watching.

Thanking the wedding party is a necessary task, but it doesn’t have to add any more stress to you or blow out your wedding budget. The bridesmaids and groomsmen support you from the moment you are engaged until the minute the reception ends. By giving them a thoughtful present you are thanking them for their hard work and friendship over the months leading up to your special day. 

Spa Bachelorette Party Ideas

Although having a wild bachelorette party is a long-standing tradition, brides, or more specifically bridesmaids have, in recent years, come up with new ‘pre-tie-the-knot’ extravaganzas. Some include taking their girl for a weekend getaway that they’ll never forget, and then there’s the incredible pre-marital spa experience. In our book, this might just be the best way to not only make the bride happy, but relaxed before the big day, as we all know how stressful wedding planning can be, and your gal surely deserves some pampering after all the work she’s done. Therefore, today we present you with some spectacular spa bachelorette ideas that will help you all unwind, relax and be fully prepared, fresh, rejuvenated and calm for the big day. 

The most important of all 

Every wedding planner as well as a dermatologist will tell you that it’s paramount for the bride to have a quality facial at least a week before her wedding. When it comes to getting that ethereal bridal beauty glow, nothing beats a good facial – some mechanical cleansing, a facial massage and a gentle peel. If you’re short on time and you can’t afford a full-blown spa weekend, you can surely squeeze in two hours in her busy schedule and surprise her with a great facial at one of the best local spas. To make things more fun, book a session for all, as bridesmaids deserve to look their most flawless as well and with a nice brunch or a round of drinks in the evening, it will be a complete day. 

Get this party started 

If you have the imagination and the resources, there is absolutely nothing that can beat an at-home spa experience. If you want to go big, remember Blair Waldorf and her annual sleepovers and take cues from that. You can all get dressed up, start with a few drinks and have beds set up so you can have an incredible bonding night. This can be a combination of a spa night, a bachelorette party and a bridal shower. You can bring gifts, order food and mix up some cocktails. Now, in order to have a great spa night, you need to get a ton of goodies – exfoliators, face masks, pampering lotions, eye creams, serums, – the entire gang, and the amazing Neostrata skincare linehas got you completely covered. You can dance around in your robes or lingerie, have your own private party with masks on your face, take loads of silly pictures, and if you get a little tipsy and dance the night away, so be it. This is, after all, a spa night with extras. Don’t forget to come up with bachelorette party games to spice up the evening – this is an honored tradition that should not be forgotten. 

The stressed out bride 

If you have a bride on your hands whose wedding planning really took a toll on her, you need to rescue her and give her some supreme pampering like she’s never had before. Whisk her away to one of the best, most luxurious spa retreats in the country, and settle for nothing less than a long weekend, because all that tension needs to be removed and it will take more than two days to do so. Start light, by booking a great facial, and then proceed with booking chakra-balancing massages that, for instance, Crown Metropol Isika Spa offers. Get rid of all the tension and feel your bodies realign. Spa resorts, of course, offer more than just massages and facials and as this is your weekend, you should make the absolute most of it. Spend some quality time in the amazing pools, unwind in the pool chairs and let the drinks just keep on coming while you lie comfortably in your robes. You’re in the lap of luxury – enjoy every second of it. Of course, by no means, should you miss spending some great detox time in the sauna, and if you feel like you could use a little movement, there is always a little time to hit the gym. The weekend is long, so there is no need to skip anything the resort has to offer, including luxurious meals that you can have at their superb restaurant. This can be done on your final evening – a classy dinner with drinks; now that you’re all rejuvenated and pampered, it’s time to put your best dresses on, head down to the restaurant, and have a spectacular dinner to celebrate your gal who will in no time become an old married lady. 

Any of these options will give your bride the experience she will never forget and she will be eternally thankful to you for helping her in her ‘hour of need’. Even though each option is as great as the next one, it’s ultimately a matter of preference – do you want to go low key, go for a DIY night that will show how much effort you put in, or a full-blown spa extravaganza? It’s up to you to decide, but worry not, whichever door you decide to open, you won’t get it wrong, because we promised you great ideas and these truly are. 

This article is written by Brigitte Evans from highstylife.com