GROOMS SURVIVAL KIT

A Grooms Survival Kit: 12 things to carry on your wedding day

Having experienced a wedding myself and witnessing countless others over the course of my Wedding Photography Career I have compiled a shortlist of items every groom should consider carrying on their wedding day. It’s not a compulsory list but it covers any sort of eventuality you may come across on your wedding day. Consider it a Grooms survival kit.

1, A Handkerchief.

For when some nearby start’s cutting onions when the bride walks down the aisle. Or for whenever you get overwhelmed with emotion on the day at the sight of your partner. It’s your wedding day, Don’t be that cyborg that keeps all their emotions all bottled up. It’s ok to shed a tear or two.

A handkerchief or ‘hanky’ can also act as a first aid too when there is that small accident/cut or bump. It can be a paper cut or broken glass on the dancefloor or for whenever celebrations get a little out of hand. Although for blowing of the nose its probably more hygienic to use a travel packet of tissues instead.

On a side note. You shouldn’t confuse this piece with a pocket square. Keep the pocket square in your jacket pocket and your handkerchief in your pants pocket.

 

 

2, Dress Watch.

 

Chances are you will want to keep your phone out of sight on the wedding day to avoid unnecessary distractions. If you have any calls its a good idea to divert all urgent calls to your designated groomsman. They can field the calls on your behalf.

Having a little timepiece on your wrist is a convenient and discreet way of time checking without having to pull your phone out with all the distractions of social media alerts, trust me there will be a lot of chimes and alerts on your wedding day. You want to keep the focus on the moment. A watch will simplify this. Also when I mean watch I mean an analog dial that goes with your suit and not a smartwatch. Smartwatches tend to carry alerts over from your phone.

Watch with cufflinks

 

3, Mints, Strong mints.

Don’t forget to brush well in the morning! As with any wedding and reception you’ll most likely be eating something to keep you going throughout the day. The last thing your partner will want is smelling that Salami you ingested at 12.30pm before you walked out the door. Also, you’ll be talking and mingling with a lot of people, unless you want to keep it brief and short because of bad breath.

4, A Personal/Emergency sewing kit.

Buttons, needle, and threads. It’s a ‘hope you never need it’ kit. But consider it insurance for your suit and groomsmen’s attire. There is nothing worse than having a groomsman looking out of place because their suit jacket won’t button up during photos. If you want to be super organized for any eventuality adding this to the groom’s survival kit is a must.

 

5, Pen/Jotter, and small palm-sized notepad.

For those thoughts, private messages/notes, or if you and your best man were too lazy to write a speech before the wedding day and need something to write up quickly. This can be a lifesaver if you have anything else to add at the lectern during the reception.

This Parker Pen & Notebook set also makes a nice little wedding day gift without breaking the bank.

 

6, Painkillers & bandaids (mini first aid kit)

So your photographer took you on a 20km hike to get to a location for photos in your new Julius Marlows and the raw pain of the blister is setting but there is still the first dance to complete. Nothing like a bit of Paracetamol and second skin to take the edge off until the limo ride home. Probably a core essential for your groom survival kit.

7, Your brain & commonsense.

Don’t be that groom that turns up at the alter plastered because of the last-minute bucks show the night before. In Australia, it is illegal to have an intoxicated person signing official marriage documents. And chances are your partner won’t be impressed nor will the celebrant…or the guests. There have been cases where celebrants have refused to marry couples because. Don’t be THAT groom.

*Although it’s not a physical item your brain/commonsense is probably the most important tool you have in your grooms survival kit. Use it!

8, Timeline/Day schedule on paper.

Useful for reference if you need to query an event yourself. You may want to consider delegating that responsibility to a trusted groomsman.

 

9, Umbrella.

That 15% chance of showers…Don’t chance it. If it might rain it will rain on your wedding day. Dont be caught out in the elements. Even if its Sunny an umbrella can provide vital shade from the UV.

Groom holding umbrella

10, Overnight bag.

Don’t carry this one with you, just keep it in the boot of your Limo or in the reception ready room. Overnight basics like toiletries, socks, jocks, a change of clothes. You’re going to need it after a full night of drink, food, and dance.

bride & groom with sparklers

11, Cash and a compact/slim wallet

With nothing more than your driver’s license, 1 credit card, and some cash. Leave your bulky wallet full of cards and receipts behind. You don’t want to have that awkward wallet bulge.

Bellroy do a nice slimline that will keep things discreet.

12, Sunglasses

Keep a pair of sunglasses handy for those outdoor locations. No, you won’t want to wear them during the ceremony but they can add some of that cool factor in the location photos afterwards and will save you from squinting in direct sunlight during those sunny outdoor moments.

bride and groom walking down street

 

 

About A Grooms survival kit Author

James Devine is an Adelaide Based Wedding Photographer with over 10 years of experience. He is a Father of 2 kids, Home cook, Loves travel, coffee, chess, lego & aviation. Also is a little bit of a geek around computers and camera gear.