How to Handle Last-Minute Wedding Emergencies

No one likes to think about wedding day disasters, but the truth is, that a little preparation can go a long way in keeping stress levels low. From wardrobe mishaps to unexpected downpours and even a vendor no-show, having a plan in place means you’ll be ready for anything. Honestly, though, most last-minute wedding emergencies have quick and simple solutions. Read on for practical tips to tackle any hiccup and enjoy a seamless, stress-free celebration!

Nobody wants to tempt fate by thinking about worst-case scenarios when it comes to their wedding day, but it always pays to expect the unexpected and plan for any eventuality when so much is on the line! The likelihood is that your wedding will go off without a hitch, but it’s better to be prepared, right?! From wardrobe malfunctions to inclement weather, after reading this guide on how to handle last-minute wedding emergencies, you’ll be as cool as a cucumber, whatever your wedding day throws at you!

Common wedding day emergencies

There are two types of wedding day emergencies: freak accidents that you could never have predicted and common spanners-in-the-works, like an unexpected downpour. Here, we’re going to cover common wedding day emergencies and how to sail through them with ease.

Wardrobe malfunctions

String of beading burst off your dress? No dramas; all you need is a needle and thread and a friend with a steady hand! An absolute staple of any emergency kit, the sewing kit is the answer to all your wardrobe woes - whether it’s a missing button, a broken strap, or a zipper that’s gone kaput, there's not much that a needle and thread or safety pins won't fix. As well as a sewing kit, make sure you pack some double-sided body tape and a stain remover pen. You never know when these two might come in handy, so make sure one of your bridal parties keeps them on hand throughout the day.

A dry run is by far and away the best way to avoid a last-minute wardrobe emergency - make sure you try your wedding dress or suit on a week before the big day so that you've got time to make any necessary changes and don't forget to break your shoes in by wearing them for a few hours across the week!

Health emergencies

Let’s be real here: it’d take a full-on pharmacy to be prepared for every eventuality when it comes to wedding day health emergencies, so just keep it simple and just make sure you’re prepared for the most common ailments. Your wedding venue should have a fully stocked first aid kit, but here are a few bits that you should pack yourself: Plasters Paracetamol/ibuprofen Antiseptic wipes Small scissors/tweezers Eye wash solution Insect bite relief cream

Unexpected weather changes

Everybody prays for dry weather, maybe even a bit of sunshine on their wedding day, but we all know the weather is unpredictable (more so in some countries than others). Hence, it pays to plan ahead, especially when it comes to outdoor weddings. You don’t want to spend your wedding morning sitting anxiously at the window, willing that grey cloud to go away and stressing out because you haven’t got a wet weather plan.

Your wedding venue will be well versed in making last-minute changes due to the weather, so ask them what their contingency plan is well ahead of time so that you can make adjustments to your plans. If you’re saying your vows outside, make sure any ceremony backdrop is easy to lift and reposition should the heavens open!

If the weather looks like it could go either way on the day, check with your venue about the cut-off point to make a decision on the ceremony location. Ultimately, it’s your choice whether you embrace the rain or change your plans entirely - it’s always worth buying a stash of umbrellas for your guests, though!

Last-minute wedding vendor cancellations

Whether it's the photographer or the makeup artist, there’s nothing quite as stressful as having one of your wedding vendors pull out at the last minute. If you don't have a wedding planner, make sure you keep all your vendor contacts handy so that if someone cancels, you can make use of the networks your other suppliers are likely part of. Hand over your vendor details to a close friend or family member so that they can send a message out to everyone informing them of the cancellation and asking them to put a call out through their networks for a last-minute replacement. Once the word is out on social media, this kind of post usually gets circulated widely amongst wedding suppliers, and you’ll have a replacement lined up in no time at all.

That drunk guest

We’re not talking about your mum getting a bit too merry and flirting with the best man - this is about the guest who has drunk way too much and is in danger of ruining the party by starting a fight or puking on the dancefloor. Make sure you delegate responsibilities and designate one of your VIPs to try to sober them up or put them in a taxi.

Family tensions

There’s nothing like the heightened emotion of a wedding day to bring family feuds to the surface! If you’re dealing with long-standing family tensions, then make sure you seat both parties far away from each other, preferably facing in opposite directions so that they can’t rile each other up from across the room! If it’s your divorced parents who are the issue, then make sure they both feel included and have a purpose. If tensions bubble up, take a deep breath and ask for help from one of your VIPs to distract and separate them - get one on the dancefloor and the other one getting drinks in at the bar!

Your wedding emergency kit

Usually, we’re all for not sweating the small stuff, but in the world of wedding planning, the little things sometimes matter the most. A bit of careful planning and forethought can make all the difference when you’re faced with a minor wedding emergency - here are our top 10 essentials for your wedding day emergency kit!

Painkillers - got a killer stress headache? No worries! Imodium - avoid recreating that scene in Bridesmaids Antihistamines - overcome a sudden and unexplained allergy to pollen Eye drops - say goodbye to red eyes! Tampons - don’t get caught short! Sewing supplies - for any last-minute wardrobe malfunctions Makeup - for touch-ups throughout the day Stain remover pen - just in case! Snacks - we don't want you fainting during the vows! Blister plasters - don't let your feet ruin the fun

We know that thinking about everything that could go wrong on your wedding day is a recipe for raised blood pressure, but trust us - the stress of any of these things happening to you on your big day will be so much worse if you haven’t prepared. As they say, “chance favours the prepared mind” - give yourselves the best chance for a smooth and problem-free wedding day by preparing ahead for those last-minute wedding disasters!