Planning your wedding day is a joyous experience but it also can feel overwhelming. Couples oftentimes are so focused on the decoration, food, guest list, and accommodations that they tend to overlook some of the smaller details that will save the day in case of mishaps. At the Preston Barn, we have seen it all and would like to share some tips on ways to be fully prepared for the big day. 

When you book your wedding at the Preston Barn, you’ll have everything you need as far as your location, food and drink, furnishings, and supplies needed for your wedding day (and pre- and post wedding events too)! You’ll also have our beloved coordinator to help you along the way. You can also opt to use our exclusive accommodations at the Old Drovers Inn and other housing options. This is where you and your wedding party will have the experience of a lifetime getting ready in historic 1700s colonial rooms. Six rooms are available at the Old Drovers Inn, each one unique. Hairdressers, make-up artists, and photographers of your choosing will have a spacious amount of room to work in to guarantee you and your wedding party are getting the best-pampered treatment before walking down the aisle. 

Learn more about weddings at the Preston Barn here.

As mentioned before, being prepared for anything on your wedding day should be a top priority along with everything else. We know it’s a lot to think about so we have an SOS list of items that may just save the day. No one wants to think about mishaps on their wedding day but things do happen. The best way to overcome these things is first, not to panic, and second to feel assured you have everything you need to fix the situation. 

1. Sewing Kit 

A sewing kit should be number one on your list of things to bring. When choosing a sewing kit make sure you purchase one that has a variety of color thread that matches your wedding dress, bridesmaid dresses, and tuxes. It also should include a small pair of scissors, safety pins, and buttons. For small rips or tears in dresses or garments, liquid stitch is great to have on hand. This is an easy no-stress solution that will make any tear look like it never happened. 

If something breaks such as the bustle of the wedding dress this can be easily fixed with a few stitches or safety pins. This can happen, especially after taking a lot of outdoor photographs and the train of the dress getting moved around a lot. Although if you have these items on hand you have nothing to worry about.

2. Stain Remover 

Stains happen, this can be from food, drinks, mud, grass, or make-up. This is why stain remover is a must-have. There are several different types of stain removers available that come in portable sizes. If you're in a pinch and don’t have a stain stick remover on hand, clear dish soap and alcohol wipes can be used to reduce the stain pigment, especially on an ivory-colored wedding gown. 

3. Steamer 

A steamer can be a lifesaver on your wedding day especially if your bridesmaids order dresses online or if the dresses get mangled while traveling to your wedding venue. This is also great for men’s suits and shirts to guarantee they look crisp and sharp standing at the altar. A portable steamer is easy to use and a much better option than trying to iron an expensive dress. Even if the dresses are not badly wrinkled it’s still a great option to freshen up the dresses. Don’t be surprised if engaged friends ask you to bring your steamer to their weddings, word gets around. 

4. Food 

You need to eat before your wedding; there will be no one passing out from lack of food at the altar on our watch. At the Preston Barn, we offer an assortment of delicious food and beverages that you can enjoy before walking down the aisle, such as wraps and lunch or breakfast items. Often with wedding day jitters and preparation, food and drinks get overlooked. We will work with you to plan your meals ahead of time so it’s one last preparation you have to worry about. 

Here are a couple of bonus tips:

• Request a straw with your beverage to be sure not to mess up your beautiful make-up. 

• Fresh breath is a must, especially before saying I do. Mints, gum, or mouthwash are great options to have on hand to guarantee a great first kiss as a married couple. 

• Choose your food wisely. Don’t choose anything that will upset your stomach or make you feel bloated. Light and healthy options are best. Wraps, fruit, granola/protein bars, crackers, and yogurt are great choices. 

• We all love a good mimosa while getting ready in the morning but take it easy - you don’t want to be stumbling down the aisle. 

5. Tissues 

Tissues will be needed for sure, lots of happy tears are to be expected on the wedding day. Especially if you plan to do the first look photographs. Many couples are surprised by how much they tear up on the big day. It’s an emotional experience even though it’s one of the happiest days of their life. All the work you put into planning your wedding and 

preparation is finally becoming a reality. The person you love is about to become your life partner and with that tears are expected.

6. The “Emergency” Kit

Things like sewing kits, stain remover, and tissues fall into this category BUT there are a lot more things you can add to this kit because you never know what could happen. Here are of some the things we suggest:

• Medical items:

  • bandaids

  • tums

  • pain relievers

  • hangover patches

  • snacks to battle low/high sugar

  • Benadryl

  • ice packs

  • tweezers
    

• Personal items:

  • tampons/pads

  • wipes

  • deodorant

  • body spray

  • mints

  • toothpicks

  • brush/comb

    Medical and person items are also great to provide in bathroom baskets for your guests. They have wedding day emergencies too!
    

• Items for your/guests' comfort:

  • bug spray

  • sunscreen

  • heel protectors

  • earplugs

  • blankets/shawls

  • flip flops

    
    You can buy these in bulk and provide at a welcome table for your guests especially if you have an outdoor ceremony or firepit
    

• Items for apparel and beauty emergencies: (also great for bathroom basket)

  • safety pins

  • hairspray

  • dry shampoo

  • lotion

  • hair ties and bobby pins

  • lint roller
    

• Lipstick for touch-ups (keep that with you throughout the day somehow or have a wedding party member hold and bring to you when needed)

• Bonus tip: Will your florists provide vases for the bouquets (for when everyone is still getting ready and can’t hold them)? If not or it’s DIY, bring vases to keep your florals fresh and happy.

At the Preston Barn, we want to make sure our couples are ready for anything that may come their way. Good or bad, we have solutions for it all to make sure everything goes smoothly. Being prepared is the best way to overcome any stressful situation. Of course, you want everything to go as planned and we want that for you as well. This is why we are here for you every step of the way. Let us take care of the morning of accommodations, food, and drinks so you can focus on getting items that will save the day. We would like to invite you to tour our venue and Old Drover’s Inn to start imagining what it would be like getting married at a romantic and historic venue in Upstate New York.