MAYDAY! MAYDAY! (or "Houston, We have a Problem")

There is always an emergency at a wedding.

They happen before the wedding...no make-up artist shows because an accident is blocking all lanes of the freeway 40 miles from the venue. The red lipstick grandma cannot live without makes it to the front of the wedding dress. A groomsman didn't get socks in his rental package, his pants are a little short and there is no tailor or tux shop near enough to remedy the situation is less than 50 minutes.

They happen during the wedding...mother-of-the-bride's ceremony shoes are too big. The three year old ring bearer refuses to walk down the aisle now that 200 people are staring at him (it wasn't that way at the rehearsal!). A groom, bride, or attendant faints and as a results, has a grass stain, cut or bruise (or, God forbid, worse!)

They happen at the reception...the boxes of favors, caricatures of the bride and groom driving their car that were custom made in Brazil, weren't opened until the reception hall set up and some heads were broken off, car wheels were missing and the tiny bouquets were already tossed out of the window! The groom steps on the brides dress and the seam splits during the first dance. And who knew Aunt Edna was allergic to shellfish? And who knew the server didn't tell her the tray passed appetizer was a scallop wrapped in bacon?

Because anything can happen, and something will, it is best to be prepared.

As a seasoned vet in the wedding war, I carry with me giant, fully equipped emergency kit. And, yes, I have used it at each and every event I've ever had. The instances above are not just fictional, each one has happened to me, and because of the kit I carry, each problem was solved immediately and easily.

Now, I don't suggest you try lugging around the kit I do, just one reason being the cost is prohibitive for only one event. But if you don't have a coordinator (or if you have one that doesn't carry a kit), here are the items most important to have on hand:

• One complete first aid kit that includes medicines such as: Tylenol, Motrin, Burn Gel, Benadryl, Rolaids Antacid and Anti-Gas (Yes, I did have to go there) and Pepto Bismol
• A basic make-up kit, like Sephora carries, make sure it has a small mirror, or get a compact (or at least they used to...even look for new ones on Ebay!)
• Scissors and safety pins
  
• Double Stick Tape (I won't even go into what I've had to use it for!!)
• Stain Remover as recommended by your bridal store
• Basic sewing kit, with invisible thread
• Pen and Paper
• Lint Roller, Static Spray and Wrinkle Release
• Crazy Glue
• 1 pair of panty hose
• 1 pair of black men's dress socks
• Fingernail kit
• Cotton balls
• Hair spray, bobby pins, rubber bands and a head band
• Bottled water and snack items that include protein
• Bribe for small child to get them down that isle (but don't give it to them until after they walk down the isle!)

I know it seems like a lot, but if you put it together in a small overnight bag, back pack or basket...believe me...you'll be glad you did! And take comfort in the fact that my list is quadruple (well, more than quadruple) what this one is!! You can always buy everything at Target and return the unopened packages of the items you don't use!

I also suggest that you do the following for your guests in respective restrooms:

Place a small basket in each restroom with items that guests might need such as dental floss, chewing gum, mouth wash, hand sanitizer, tampons and maxi pads, tissue, hand lotion, hair spray, and mini deodorants (after all that dancing! Someone might need it!)

Remember you have options, you can try to asses your needs and create your own kit from the basic list I've provided here...or do the easy thing...hire a prepare coordinator to help make your event emergency free!