So you’ve almost made it to the big day and it’s starting to feel a bit surreal, isn’t it? Your head is probably rushing with a million different thoughts and questions so it’s easy to forget something on the actual event day. To make sure you’re fully prepared and don’t forget anything on the day of, it’s important to create a wedding packing list that can be your go-to guide! So grab your cutest paper, pen, and get ready to make a bridesmaid checklist with 7 important things you need to remember to bring with you on the big day! And before you go ahead and think, “well yeah, of course I would pack these things!”, read each section for some hints and ideas that you may not have thought of!

Scott & Hannah Photography

7 Important Items for your Wedding Day Packing List

1. Dress - Duh, right? I know how painfully obvious this is, but can you imagine how awful it would be to get to the venue and realize, “oh crap, I don’t have my dress!” I can guarantee it’s probably happened so don’t let it happen to you! Make sure to pack it days in advance (unless the fabric is prone to wrinkles!) or keep it somewhere visible so you’re constantly reminded that you need to bring it with!

2. Shoes - If you’re wearing any type of heel for the big day, I have a PSA for you: MAKE SURE TO BREAK THEM IN BEFORE THE WEDDING DAY! Can you imagine two hours into the event and your feet are already a blistered, bloody mess? Ew. Try and wear them at least three times before the wedding so that they are comfy enough to last in. And just for safe measure, you’ll probably want to pack an extra pair — a comfier pair of sandals or flats to dance your ass off in at the reception. If you’re able to wear your heels the whole night, kudos to you, girl! But for the rest of us, we’ll be happily dancing in our flip flops!

3. Skivvies - Okay, okay, I just really wanted an excuse to use that word. :) Depending on the style of your dress, you might need special undergarments to either hold things up, suck things in, or keep things from falling out! Make sure to TRY ON YOUR DRESS well before the wedding so that you know what types of undies you’re going to need. Make sure to try on everything together so that you’re perfectly confident that none of your undergarments are showing or particularly unbearable to wear for an entire day.

4. Comfy Clothes - This may not have been an initial thought when you started making your wedding packing list, but there are two main components to packing comfy clothes to get ready in.

• Pack a button up or loose fitting shirt to get ready in. If you wear something too tight, the chances of running your freshly done hair and makeup are extremely likely. Don’t make them have to touch you up for an easily-avoidable mistake.
• Keep in mind that there very well may be a photographer shooting pictures of you and the bride getting ready. That being said, don’t wear anything dingy, dirty, full of holes, too baggy, or too revealing. Keep it simple with shorts or leggings and a button-up or loose top. If you have a robe, even better! Just make sure you’re comfy because the getting-ready process usually takes about 4-5 hours.

5. Phone Charger - Again, obvious, I know. We’re all attached to our phones like it’s a permanent part of our being (which, let’s be honest, it kind of is!) so forgetting your phone charger is like forgetting to put on clothes. It just shouldn’t happen. If you’re anything like me, you’re going to want to be documenting the whole event via Instagram and snapchat so it would literally be my worst nightmare for my phone to die before the ceremony even begins! Wanna be extra prepared? Get one of those fancy cases that has a backup battery or a portable charger so you can charge on the go! Seriously, you’ll thank me later!

6. Itinerary - Knowing what is going on when and where is going to be super important since there is going to be a lot happening on the wedding day! Although you’ll pretty much be navigating from place to place as a group, having itineraries on hand is a good way to keep people on task and on time. It’s easy to let the day slip away while taking pictures or getting ready in the morning so make sure to check the itinerary and be where you need to be — on time!

7. Wedding Gift - Don’t be that bridesmaid who forgot to bring the couple’s wedding gift or card on the actual wedding day and has it just sitting on your dining table for the next year. Nope, not cool. Instead, pack the gift ahead of time or even better, order off their registry and have it shipped directly to them. That will save you the hassle of remembering to bring the gift and the couple won’t have to lug it home!

Other Not-So-Common, But Important Items To Pack!

Now that we got the necessities out of the way, let’s get to the items that you may not have thought of. Most of these will be a collaborative bridesmaid effort, so talk with the rest of the girls to decide who’s bringing what!

• An Emergency Kit - All the items you could every need the morning of. Advil, deodorant, tampons, double-sided tape, band-aids, bobby pins, a small sewing kit, etc. Check out how to create The Ultimate Wedding Day Emergency Kit with all the essentials you’ll need…because you can never be too prepared!
• A Power Strip and/or Extension Cord - You’ll seriously be a hero for remembering to bring this! Just think, hotels and venues have limited outlets and if multiple girls need to have hair styling tools plugged in or charge their phones, well, you’re all going to be SOL.
• Straws - It might not seem initially obvious, but just think about your poor lipstick! Whether you’re sipping mimosas, water, orange juice, or pop, sipping through a straw will help keep you lip makeup in tact!
• Snacks & Bottled Water - Nothing is worse than a hungry wedding party so whether you have fruit and veggies or granola bars on hand, make sure there is something to snack on. As for water, hydration is key to a happy, glowing group of beautiful people!
• Music and a Music Player - Because what’s more fun than getting ready with your girls while jamming to some awesome music? Make sure that someone brings a stereo, laptop, or something that you can play music on. A pre-made ‘wedding day playlist’ wouldn’t hurt, either!

Let's Chat! What's a must-have item that you'll be packing for the big day!? If you've already been in a wedding, what item were you either super glad you brought or super bummed you forgot? Let us know in the comments below!