Credits: Crystal D’sa

As picture perfect as we all imagine our wedding day to be, the truth is, there will always be hiccups along the way. A bridesmaid might chip her nail, groomsmen might need a little lint-roller action on his tux and your mascara could smudge with this heat wave. My advice- put together a survival kit for your wedding day! The better prepared you are, the smoother your day will go!

So what do you really need as an Indian bride?

1. Lipstick: The one the bride is wearing. Even the best of lipsticks don’t last more than 6hrs and if we go by the typical punjabi wedding time table, it will be long gone before the baraat enters. The baraats here dance for atleast 1 hour at the gate + 1 hour for the ribbon cutting ceremony where the head sarwali(maid of honour) negotiates with the groom on the shagun (money) to let the baraat enter.

2. Lip Balm: Or you can even keep a tinted balm in the colour of your lipstick to keep re-applying it over your lip colour.

Photo credits: Pintrest

3. Compact: If your wedding is in an open farm house in summer this is a definite must. You don’t want to be an oily bride.

4. Wet Tissues: When the groom puts on sindoor on the bride’s head, a lot of it falls down on the bride’s nose. Didn’t think of that, did you? Why should you compromise on those heavily invested candid photographs?

5. Safety Pins: Safety Pins are THE most important thing in the entire wedding. You can catch your chachis and mausis running around asking every second woman “safety pin hai?” Plus the bride may need it to adjust her lehenga/pallu.

6. Band Aid: I can bet that you never took your bridal shoes for a test drive. You saved them up for the wedding to wear for the first time. Don’t do that! But still keep band aids handy in case the shoe bites.

Photo credits: Pintrest

7. Baby Oil: or any anti-septic cream. The bridal jewellery is way too heavy with a mang tikka, nathni (nose ring) popping out of nowhere. So keep a cream handy in case there is some allergy.

8. Aspirin: Sometimes the stress is just too much. I’ve never been there but as a planner I can certainly tell you this from experience. You have to pose for the camera, constantly smile…..and be at your best. The flash could cause headaches. Pop an aspirin and enjoy the rest of the day.

9. Sanitary Pads/Tampons: In case you are one of those forgetful women who can never ever remember your date, or in case your biological clock decides to play tricks- keep one handy.

10. Hair Spray: Because the bride’s hair are the most difficult to fix if anything goes wrong. So just keep a fixing spray handy.

11. Small Mirror: For the touch ups in your car or waiting area. That situation may arise where you’ve got to sit and wait in the car for an hour because the baraat won’t move. Let’s not compromise on that makeup now.

12. Straws: Everybody over looks that tiny little thing. Keep straws handy to drink without messing up your lipstick.

Photo credits: Pintrest

13. Contact Lens solution and a spare: If you wear lenses. You never know.

14. ENO: for immediate gas relief. You never know…..again!

15. Camera: For taking your own candid shots while getting dressed and made up. Wedding photographs take a lot of time. I know you’ll now point out that your top of the range smart phone can do the trick; but really do you want to get hounded with all those phone calls?

 Image: Pinterest

16. Contact Numbers: starting from the catering guy to the flower arrangement guy. Keep a list of numbers of everyone who might come handy.

17. Perfumes or Deodorants: If your sweat producing glands are extra hard working!

18. Mouthwash and Mints: Because you never know. Although in our wedding the bride and groom don’t get to kiss. It’s mint to be! My advice- you’re still meeting everyone else at your wedding

 

Image: Pinterest

19. Makeup Remover: To take care of smudged kohls and mascaras.

20. Glue or Fevicol: In case a shoe heel breaks

21. Spare Flats: You might not to want to wear high heels while you dance away the night. Toss in a pair, you’ll thank me for it.

22. Your Favorite Music: While getting ready or in the car to relax and take it easy. I do this before! It worked alright!

23. Chocolate Bar: Feels like your stomach is eating itself, and I bet you don’t want to eat an entire meal so you can fit into your dress- chocolates is the perfect solution. Munch on it, just remember to check your teeth in that small mirror your also carrying.

24: Hand Sanitizer: Self explanatory

25. Scissors: Some thread is out of place, you don’t want to be tugging on it and ruining your dress or lehenga.

Did I miss anything?