Most wedding survival guides on the internet tend to focus on the bride, and for good reason. The occasion is widely recognized as a woman’s Big Day. However, grooms would do well to remember that it’s one of the most important days of their lives, too, and that they aren’t as immune to last-minute mishaps as they might think. Checkout more wedding related blogs here.
For their peace of mind—as well as their brides’—we’ve put together a list of indispensable items that every groom should have readily available on his wedding day. From quick solutions to common outfit-related crises down to basic staples that might be lost or forgotten in the whirlwind days leading up to the ceremony, this groom’s survival kit leaves very few things to chance.
On-the-Go Fixes for Fashion Emergencies
A Miniature Sewing Kit
Men usually take clothing emergencies in stride. They don’t mind living with a loose button or an undone hem for a day. Grooms beware, though; not taking precautions to fix that tiny rip in your suit jacket can and will come back to haunt you. Every move you make on the day of the wedding will most likely be immortalized in film and video, so it’s worth making sure that you look your best for the cameras.
A wedding day emergency sewing kit should contain safety pins, sewing needles and thread in white, black, and your suit’s colors, a pair of scissors, some extra buttons for your shirt and jacket, and hem tape.
Stain Removers
Nothing ruins a look more than an errant stain on the front of your shirt or your collar. A stain remover pen can help you get ahead of any smears, spills, and splatters. These usually contain a detergent base and hydrogen peroxide, a chemical that can break down stains without bleaching the colors out of your clothes. They’re best used on small spots from food or drink—aka the ones you’d typically encounter on a wedding. Simply apply immediately and blot, don’t rub. Rubbing will push the stain deeper into the fabric, making it more difficult to lift.
If you’re going to be wearing crisp white sneakers to your wedding, you’ll also want to keep them pristine. Experts recommend applying a sneaker protector to them right out of the box. To spot-clean your kicks onthego, use a magic eraser product. A bottle of matte white nail polish should also cover up scuffs and scratches in a pinch.
A Lint Brush or Roller
Lint and hair look painfully obvious against a dark backdrop. Some guys think they only need a lint roller if they’re rocking a black suit, but lint shows up against blues and some grays, too. Keep your suit clean with a lint brush or roller. You can also use masking tape to lift lint off fabrics in the absence of those items.
A Couple of Basic Necessities
Extra Socks
Most guys think that socksare a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised at just how many men who can’t tell the difference between dress socks and gym socks. Packing an extra pair of Burlix standing over-the-calf socks isn’t too much of a hardship. With it, you can quickly rescue a buddy from wearing thick cotton socks under his suit pants, no muss and no fuss. They’re also nice to have around if you happen to step on a puddle and get your own dress socks all wet.
Extra Cuff Links
This is yet another accessory often taken for granted. You may not forget your cuff links, but it’s never a bad idea to insure against that one friend of yours who just might. It’s also useful to have an extra pair on hand in case one of your own falls out while taking outdoor photos or during the reception.
The Day-of Grooming Kit
Deodorant
Even if you don’t sweat a lot normally or are holding the wedding someplace cool like a mountain side resort, deodorant is non-negotiable. You’ll want to stay fresh for all the hugging you’re going to do! Go for dry spray antiperspirants and clear stick or gel formulas, as they leave the least amount of residue.
Breath Mints
If all goes well, you’ll also be doing a lot of kissing throughout the day. Unfortunately, you probably won’t have time to step away for a quick brush once that wedding ball is rolling. Keep your breath fresh with mints; they’re a far more subtle choice than chewing gum.
Lip Balm
As an adjunct to the above, kissing can actually result in drier, flaky lips that look awful in photos and feel even worse. Protect your lips with a good lip balm made with natural ingredients such as cocoa or shea butter. If you’re having a daytime wedding, go with a product that also offers sun protection.
Miscellaneous, but Still Essential!
Cash
You may have already pre-paid your wedding vendors, but it’s still nice to give them something extra before packing it up. Have enough cash on hand to tip your DJ, the driver, the bartender, and any other member of the staff that helped make your day so special. Hold it in a money clip to minimize bulk.
Medication
The last thing you want is to get caught without relief from a headache or a queasy stomach on the day of your wedding. Stock up on pain relievers and antacids, as well as any maintenance or allergy medication that you take regularly.
Being prepared for (almost) every eventuality will allow you to enjoy the day more! We recommend putting these items in a Dopp kit or toiletry bag for easy access even as you move from one location to the next. Best wishes!
