bdk Loc: Sanibel Fl.

I was reading a blog by a photographer. He carries what he calls his Bride emergency kit.
Straight pins, bobby pins, safety pins, double face tape, duct tape, needle and white and black thread ,clothes pin and a white sheet. ( to keep her dress clean on nasty days)

I was just wondering if anyone else carries a bride emergency kit and if so what do you have in it.
I just put mine together today, everything but the sheet.

02Nomad Loc: Catonsville, MD

I carried: Oil-free makeup remover, Wet wipes singles, hand sanitizer, nail file, ibuprofen, Carmex lip balm, nail clipper, Tide to go, Shout wipe & go, hem tape, Safety pins (silver and white and black), dental floss, sewing kits, 2 small scissors (one straight & one cuticle), seam splitter, alcohol wipes, assorted size band-aids, 2 small packages of facial tissues and Q-tips. I told the bride about the "kit" on one of our meetings, but informed her that feminine hygiene products were the responsibility of the bride/bridesmaids. I hope that this helps.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

Absolutely, I call it my "superhero bag". I also have white chalk, bottled water, granola bars, wax (the kind used for braces...multiple uses, last year when Tim Stapp was down in my neck of the woods helping out, I had to use the dental wax to hold a broken candle together) Seems like every wedding, I find a new use for something, or find something else that "would have been handy" so I can add it to the super hero bag.

Last wedding, I had to get blood out of the wedding dress. Just a little, but of course, to a bride it was GALLONS. She tripped over a tent stake at an outdoor wedding, and skinned her leg (little bandaid from the super hero bag) Learned from a previous wedding that the best (fresh) blood remover is spit (saliva breaks down blood, where water and other cleaners will make it spread) I didn't do the spitting, but let Mom go to town with that and a clean towel. Once that dried a bit, used the chalk to cover up the VERY slight shadow left from the blood spot)

Actually, if you do a search for super hero bag, I think there are a few links here on UHH where others have listed some of the items that they've used in their emergency kits. Super hero (or superhero) is what I call it, but I know I've commented as well on those.

So, the short (?) answer to your question is EVERYONE should carry an emergency (super hero) kit.

bdk Loc: Sanibel Fl.

I was sitting here trying to figure out why you needed chalk and wax, so now I know love the chalk idea. . Plus the spit is also good to know. I have chalk in a bag because I have the chalk boards, for engagement shoots. where you write stupid stuff on them and then photograph the couple together. Thanks for writting I learned a few things.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

I pick up new ideas for the bag almost every time someone discusses it. Pretty soon, I will only be able to work with strong assistants, just to handle the load. Every time you use something from your kit, word gets out about how YOU went above and beyond, good for word of mouth advertising.

Tim Stapp Loc: Mid Mitten

I will vouch for the size of his equipment bags :)

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

Tim now looks more like "Arnold" in the glory days, since he helped carry all the equipment I have. I'd like to say it is only because of the portrait booth, but he helped on one at a hotel that I couldn't even use that as an excuse. :-)

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

bdk you've received some tenured thoughts on this from your photographer peers...

That said I'm actually a bridal makeup artist and only an occasional second shooter...
So here is reality from an MUA's perspective...

If not being retained to stay for the event I will make it very clear to the bride at her trial session that she'll need to have an assistant who will do touch-up work on her "look" Even airbrush makeup needs a little TLC partway through the event... The task typically falls on the MOH or another bridesmaid... I provide the following product and a little hands on training while doing the initial look...

Critical to the mix is Rice (powder coated) blotter paper... comes in little packets... This is HUGE in cutting shine in the T-Zone... For a hot humid day 15 seconds every 15 minutes can/does make an unbelievable difference...

Next is the tube of lip stain I use on the bride... theoretically you can't kiss off lip stain nor does it come off on clothing... however brides have a way of actually chewing it off there lips if nervous... don't laugh it happen more often then you would expect... The lip stain tube has a screw in applicator that makes touch-ups a breeze provided you're adept at doing lips (and trust me all brides maids are fair game here).

Ok, I also give them the (newly opened) mascara tube used to do the bride's look... mascara brings drama to the eyes... Especially for evening events... However if the bride has opted for band lashes (false eyelashes) I will provide a second set with lash glue and instruction to the brides maid on how to apply... Nothing is more disconcerting than a bride who has band lashes missing from one eye...

Finally I will provide the MOH with a compact (pressed powder, puff and mirror) in the bride's skin tone... this is mandatory if tradition makeup is used since it isn't tear resistant like silicon based airbrush product... a tearful bride will have vertical streaks down her cheeks that seriously need to be touched up...

If at all possible suggest your bride consider the merits of silicon airbrush makeup... it is tenacious in resisting wear and last all day into the evening... In fact I've done fashion shoots with it and had the talent call me the next day asking why it didn't come off in the shower... Only makeup remover can soak (NEVER RUB) it off, or simply wait since it's typically history after the third shower...

Oh, another very important issue.... I will never, ever do bridal makeup without a trial session... while allergic reaction to product is a very rare occurrence it does happen and that is obviously a tragedy on the big day... There are so many alternates available that it is never a problem swapping out a product if it doesn't play well during the trial session...

Also a tenured makeup artist will ask you what your key source(s) of illumination are and adjust the brides look accordingly... Harsh sunlight is vastly different than diffused flash... and overcast sky is to be cherished...

Hope this helps...
Always remember makeup and hair are your team members... Please take the time to share your needs/concerns with them early on (before prep) so they can assure you take the bride/bridal party entirely to the next level...

Edit: If I'm doing hair I will give the MOH a small sample size of super hold hair spray... the most effective way of controlling pesky flyaway hair... All bridesmaid know and love super hold setting spray... and they certainly know how to use it effectively (but cover your lens if this is happening)... On a commercial set the hair stylist will shout out "Hair Spray" loud and clear before they release the sticky stuff... You've been warned... lol

Thanks!

StaneeRae Loc: Lincroft, NJ USA

I carried matches as well. One wedding no one had anything to light the Unity Candle.