A wedding stylist is like a girl scout times ten. Always prepared. And if you're planning a wedding at home, or a DIY bride or groom who wants a wedding that looks like it was styled by a pro - today's post should come in pretty handy!

Beyond the typical menagerie of emergency kit items, we are sharing some sneaky style secrets and insider tips on what a wedding stylist always carries their kit. For the months leading up to your day as well as tools you might need for your day-before set-up, these trusty items will have you styling your wedding with professional polish. Having the right toolkit is essential for any job, but trust me when I say that a wedding stylist is more equipped than MacGyver!

You probably have many of these items knocking around the house or shed already, (particularly if you're the crafty type) so grab a plastic container and fill it up with these handy wedding styling essentials. That way you are well equipped for creating your wedding day vision - whatever mishaps the set-up might throw you!

What's In a Wedding Stylist's Kit

Scissors (pinking, paper, mini, fabric, and garden shears) 

Essential for any amount of jobs as well as finishing touches on ribbons and flowers.

Adhesives

A hot glue gun, fabric glue, super glue, double-sided tape, and double-sided mounting squares - all perfect for all those DIY details and wedding crafts - as well as patching up any decor that got damaged in transit.

An Assortment of Ribbon and Twine

Ribbons in your wedding colour palette are perfect for all those little finishing touches such as sprucing up a simple wedding cake, tying signage or decor to your chairs or adding to your flower girls' hair. Something always needs to be tied, hung, or strung during set-up at a DIY wedding, so it’s a good idea to have a variety of options to choose from. A simple roll of ivory ribbon will always come in handy!

Zip Ties, Gaffer Tape and Fishing Line 

These heavier duty items are perfect for fixing items to be a bit more secure - you can always cover them with ribbon afterwards if you need to!

Batteries & Extension Cord

Handy to have on hand in an selection of sizes.

Bamboo Skewers

Bamboo skewers are handy to have on hand in case small decor or DIY items begin to lean or look unstable.

Straight Pins, Safety Pins, and Thumbtacks

Can be used for almost everything. You will thank us later!

Stick-Um wax, Sticky Dots, Blue or White Tack

These handy little items can be used to get decor items to sit just so. Especially handy for doing those pretty flat lays with your stationery or getting pesky taper candles to sit perfectly in their holders.

Floral Items

Floral wire, clippers and florist tape are all essential if doing any type of flower arranging yourself.

Long Neck Lighter

Makes lighting multiple candles a breeze!

Bulldog Clips and Clamps 

These are excellent for smoothing tablecloth or cake table wrinkles by clipping one to the edge and letting the weight pull the wrinkle right out.

Clear 3M Hooks

In case something hanging falls apart and a quick fix is needed without damage to the walls of the venue.

Shammies, Towels, Cloths, and Paper Towels

Cloths and paper towels are always great to have on hand for both setting up and during the wedding. Bring large towels for big spills and to wipe off ceremony chairs if it rains before the wedding. Shammies and Pledge wipes are also handy for quick dusting.

Sticky Notes

If there are certain areas you can't set up or style yourself, it's a good idea to have sticky notes on hand so you can label everything in advance so that whoever is setting-up will know exactly what everything is for and where it’s supposed to go.

Clear Storage Boxes

Super handy for storing wedding supplies in the lead up to the wedding. We recommend designating a box per area of styling. For example, keep all ceremony decor in one box, cake table items in another, and so on. If you want to go even one step further, do a mock set-up of the area at home, snap a pic and attach to the box so on the day you'll know where everything is to go. Perfect if you have lots of wedding helpers!

A Hammer or Mallet

An essential if you have made any of your own directional wedding signage to put in the ground or for gently tapping tacks or pins into place.

White Chalk, Gold or Silver Markers and Black Paper

There’s always a sign or two that needs to be made that only becomes obvious when you’re setting up the venue. A white chalk marker or gold or silver markers and black paper can be a lifesaver to make those last minute signs.

Steamer & Iron

A steamer is an essential if you're dressing your own tables or chairs, as tablecloths, runners, napkins or chair sashes come folded and often with lots of creases. 

Lint Rollers

Make sure to have everyone’s attire looking fresh by having everything steamed, ironed and ready to go the day before - a lint roller is perfect for those last minute pieces of fluff.

Refuse Bags

Handy for covering and keeping items dry or clean if setting up the day before. And for a swift clean-up when you're done.

Extra Tealights or Taper Candles 

If you are bringing extra candle holders other than those provided by the venue or if you're having a marquee wedding - don't forget the candles!

An Easel

For displaying any wedding day signage such as welcome signs or table plans.

Check out our Wedding Day Emergency Kit post to ensure you're covered for any mini accidents or beauty meltdowns!