You wake up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat. Images of your gown being too big, the bustle breaking mid-reception, or it crumpled in the bottom of the dress bag the morning you get ready.

Most likely this won’t happen to you or, if it does, you will be on such a happy wedding day cloud you won’t even notice.   Of course, that won’t help you sleep at night. For me, at least, planning for that kind of drama stopped the anxiety I was feeling and helped me get some much needed rest.  An easy and helpful thing you can do is create a day-of emergency kit to have on hand in case there is a gown malfunction.

What to include:

• Double-sided wardrobe tape: Your gown fit perfectly at your last fitting, but it seems a smidge loose the day of, or your strap keeps slipping, revealing more than you planned! Double-sided tape will do the trick.
• Needle, thread, & scissors: The bustle broke, your lace came untacked, your bra band is peeking out from the back of your gown.  Even if you or your family/friends don’t know how to sew, don’t let that scare you – it’s an easy fix. Thread that needle and make some stitches.
• Safety pins: Not only can safety pins offer a quick fix for the above, they also come in handy for a quick hem job.  I was a guest at one wedding when, halfway through the reception, the bride was desperate to have less dress.  Borrowing some scissors from the venue, I cut her crinoline out and then, using safety pins (I brought several with me), I pinned her gown’s hem up underneath to turn it into a tea length dress.  This sounds more heart stopping than it actually is, I promise!
• Chalk: You discover a mark on your gown that wasn’t there before. Chalk comes in handy to lessen the intensity. Certainly, it will not remove it, but it will reduce it enough for you to feel better about your stroll down the aisle. Simply go over the area with the chalk, and then lightly blend. Kind of like blush!

• Hand steamer: These can be purchased at Sears, online, or at a fabric store. If your gown has a few creases or wrinkles, it should go a long way towards removing them.  To be on the safe side, steam from the underside of the gown out, which will avoid any water getting on the gown.
• Hydrogen peroxide & Q-tips: Hydrogen peroxide is the miracle maker. Dab a little on a Q-tip, and it will remove blood, some makeup, and other marks. After you dampen the mark, let it set (do not rub) and the mark will slowly disappear.

Last, in the face of adversity, try to keep perspective. Though in that moment you may feel upset and disappointed, don’t let anything (even a broken bustle or a missing cake) steal your joy on your wedding day.

*Bed image via This is Glamorous