The Bride Guide: Packing Your Wedding Day Bag

Hi, friends!

Welcome to The Bride Guide- your guide to everything wedding-related!

I have been going through The Bride Guide with the intention of helping brides through any and everything they could need during their wedding planning, on their actual wedding day, and beyond! In today’s installment of The Bride Guide, I will be covering the essentials to pack in your “day-of” wedding bag! For those of you who may not know what this is, it is a bag that brides pack for their wedding day. It can include anything they may need like safety pins, champagne flutes, and more!

So, what should you pack in your “day-of” wedding bag?

Let’s get into it!

Similar to your wedding registry, the best way to ensure you have everything you need for your wedding day is to go through each category! That is exactly what I will be doing for you! Below are several categories and the things to pack under them. Feel free to use this as your guide when packing your wedding day bag!

Bridal Attire

• Getting ready attire (shirt, blouse, robe, slippers, etc.)

• Wedding dress! Be sure it is freshly steamed and packed up in the bag.

• Undergarments

• Veil (If you’re using one!)

• Hair accessories

• Handbag/clutch

• Engagement ring (You’re probably wearing it, but in case you had it cleaned and have it staying shiny in its box, be sure to pack it!)

• Wedding bands; double-check you have both yours and your sweetheart’s.

• Jewelry

• Garter

• Shoes

• Something old, new, borrowed, and something blue

• Touch up make-up

• Mini emergency kit (medicine, mini sewing kit, heel protectors, Tide To-Go, oil blotting cloths, deodorant, perfume, hairspray, hair ties, bobby pins, travel toothbrush and toothpaste, tampons, etc.)

Men’s Attire

• Pants

• Shirt

• Vest

• Bow tie or tie

• Suspenders

• Belt

• Underwear

• Socks

• Shoes

• Tie clip (if applicable)

• Cuff-links (if you have a specific pair that you love or have been gifted)

• Accessories (handkerchief, watch, etc.)

Detail Shots

(All the items from the Bridal Attire section, plus:)

• Fresh invitation suite

• Fresh addressed (not mailed) invitation envelope with vintage stamps

Gifts

• Gifts for your future husband/wife; not all couples gift each other something on their wedding day, but if you decided to do it, don’t forget it!

• Letters to your future spouse; whether you do gifts or not, we think this is something really sweet that will be so special for you to reread in the future.

• Welcome bags! These are for out-of-town guests staying at the hotel.

Ceremony Details

• Any DIY items

• Programs

• Ceremony ritual accessories (unity candle, sand ceremony, wine box, love letter, ropes, etc.)

• Copy of vows

• Marriage license

Reception Details

• Champagne flutes

• Cake topper

• Table numbers

• Day-of stationery (escort cards/display, menu, signage, etc.)

• Photos to be displayed

• Guestbook (any accessories needed with it, like pens, markers, ink, baby wipes to clean fingers from ink, etc.)

• Card box (always have a box or something that is easy to place the cards, but more difficult to get them back out.)

• Signage (welcome sign, bar signs, quotes, gift table sign, guest book sign, etc.)

• Any DIY items

• Candles

• Personalized items (cocktail napkins, straws, koozies, etc.)

• Favors! Many couples are going away from favors but don’t forget to pack them if you have them!

  Exit (Reception or Ceremony)

• Any accessories needed (sparklers, balloons, bubbles, ribbon wands, etc.)

Now that we have gone through each category, let me offer the biggest piece of advice: You can purchase most of these items at the dollar store or can be thrifted! And, if you feel you may not have the budget to keep a bag full of wedding goodies on your wedding day, start with the absolute essentials and work up from there. You never have to break the bank to ensure you a successful day!

As always, if you need any help or have any questions, please feel free to contact me. I am always on your side!

Until next time…

xoxo-