Day-Of Emergency Bridal Kit Creation

Okay, so it won't be the most interesting blog entry I've done to-date; however I needed to shed some light on just how monotonous and time-consuming (we won't even talk $$ because that's another ball of wax) weddings are.

I am an avid self-diagnosed class-A procrastinator. It's terrible. But 2 years ago, when Alek and I were first engaged, I made one huge yet simple promise to myself: "I will do whatever I can, as soon as I can, to prevent myself from turning into bridezilla in the weeks prior to the wedding or, even worse, having to drop details or ideas simple because I didn't start them soon enough."

Which brings us to why, with 11 months to go before the wedding I am making paper flowers pomanders (got the idea from Pinterest - starting to think the App should be blocked from my phone!!), putting together escort cards, and making my day-of emergency bridal kit.

Maybe this is a phenomenon for the modern bride with an iPhone App that is assisting with wedding planning, but I get a huge kick out of crossing something off my "to-do" list and virtually watching it disappear! So being in for a cheap thrill, i.e. an easy check-off, I opted to purchase everything for the emergency day-of kit thinking it would be a 10 minute stroll through Wal-Mart. Of course, I was wrong.

First of all, I did my homework and googled all of the top lists of recommendations for bridal kits and then formulated a combination of my own list through an App called "Easy Note." As described, it's a super simple interface that allows you to add items "to-do" and then tap to complete them.

The adorable roll-up tote I bought on sale from TheKnot.com for $15:



Here is the list I formulated:

- Mini Sewing Kit
- Bandaids
- Mouthwash
- Listerine Breath Strips
- Nail File
- Krazy Glue
- Oil Blotters
- Dental Floss
- Hair Ties
- Bobby Pins
- Eye Drops (redness relief)
- Chapstick
- Lighter/matches
- Comb
- Hair Brush
- Small Mirror
- Lint Roller
- Tampons
- Clear Nail Polish
- Hand Lotion
- Q-tips
- Hair Spray
- Kleenex
- Wet Wipes
- Static Guard
- Wrinkle Releaser
- Baby Powder
- Corn Starch
- Blister Prevention
- Tylenol
- Ibuprofen
- Gas-X
- Acid Relief
- Contact Solution
- Deodorant
- Safety Pins
- Corsage Pins
- Drinking Straws
- Tweezers
- Earring Backs
- Pantyhose
- Cotton Balls

1 1/2 hours later, Alek and I reach the register and are taking jabs at the total cost for all of the mini versions of the items listed above. He guesses $35 and I guessed $75. Our total was $69.65. I had an unfair advantage as I was keeping tally as I placed items in the cart and Alek had to guess based on appearance.

When we got home, I unwrapped any excess packaging such as display cardboard and made a hilarious attempt at stuffing all the items into the roll up bag. After some shifting into different compartments and putting soft items only into the flap area, I have a nice rolled ball of emergency items!




Hopefully no one has to move the bag around too much - not too sure how strong the Velcro is!!!

Kim, trying to make my life more simplistic as always, said "Those are things that some women are bound to have in their purses - I would just ask around rather than put all the work into a kit." Normally, I would agree... But I'm preferring to invest the time now so I'm not scrambling later! ;)