Tips for Creating a Wedding Director Basket

Last weekend there was a wedding at our church. The Winter Storm Warnings added lots of extra elements (and stress for the couple), but beauty was certainly a bonus ingredient!

The bride and groom asked if they could have some pictures made on our back patio (above). This is wedding shoot #3 out there, and it was gorgeous! Perhaps I’ll share a pic of them later, after they post pictures On-Line.

My husband and I did all the couples’ counseling, and he did the charge to the bride and groom before the bride’s father finished the ceremony with the vows. Whenever my husband participates in a wedding, he likes for me to be the director. It just works well – I’m out back organizing and he’s up front keeping things moving there. I have no idea how many weddings we’ve done, but it’s been many. Over the years, I’ve created a wedding director Basket that has been so very helpful for all the unexpected issues that pop up. I thought I’d share its ingredients for anyone else that may be directing an upcoming wedding. This basket has saved situations that could have been disasters, and also just comforted and helped with the normal flow of a wedding.

Here’s a peek into the small box inside the big basket

Tips For a Great Wedding Director Basket

1. I like keeping everything in an open basket. It’s easier than opening a plastic lid. Everything is there and accessible.
2. I have a smaller container inside for the little items. That way I’m not digging down trying to find them. Those items would include:
   • Container of straight pins and corsage pins
   • Container of safety pins – Lots of safety pins!
   • Sewing kit, complete with extra buttons and scissors
   • Tylenol
   • Bandaids
   • Cough drops
   • Dark Shoe laces
   • Pepto tablets
   • Chapstick, lip gloss
3. Masking Tape – I use this to mark the spots where the bridal party will stand, and it’s also been used to “hem” the bride’s gown just before she went down the aisle!
4. Small containers of tissues to hand to mothers before they go down
5. Garment and Body adhesive tape – Something like this.
6. Shout wipes
7. Tic tacs to hand out before everyone goes down the aisle!
8. Toothbrush and paste for bride – if she needs it
9. Hand lotion
10. Comb
11. Hair spray
12. Bobbie pins
13. Peanut butter and crackers or snack bars
14. Bottles of Water and cups for sipping
15. Black ink pen for couple to sign license.

This basket doesn’t cover everything, but it sure helps most scenarios that can happen. Like…
When the groom realized his suit pants were too long, I found myself hemming his pants an hour before the wedding. I was glad I had that hemming kit in my basket!
There were no pins for boutonnieres, but I had some tucked in my little box!
When a bridesmaid got a spot on her dress, I pulled out the Shout Wipes.
The groom’s mom left her tissues on her seat down front, so I handed her a Puff before the tears came!
You get the idea. If the director can help alleviate a little of the stress for the bridal party and their families, they’ll enjoy their day a whole lot more, and you’ll be glad you prepared ahead of time!

Maybe it would be good to bookmark this page for when you could be called on to direct a wedding!

What crazy things have you seen happen at a wedding?

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