Groomsmen Emergency Kit
Not the groom's kit. This is for the groomsmen. What each guy should bring on his own, what the best man carries for everyone, and a gift kit idea from the groom.
What Each Groomsman Should Bring
Send this list to the group chat two weeks before the wedding. Each groomsman is responsible for his own personal items. Everything fits in a jacket pocket or a small zip bag.
Extra collar stays (the rental shop never includes enough)
Breath mints (you are greeting 100+ people face-to-face)
Deodorant (travel-size, reapply before the ceremony)
Phone charger cable (your phone will die from photos)
Band-aids (new dress shoes will destroy your heels)
Eye drops (reduce redness for photos)
Hair product and comb (wind and dancing will wreck your style)
Nail file (a hangnail is distracting in close-up ring shots)
What the Best Man Carries for Everyone
One dopp bag or small backpack with shared supplies. The best man is the designated kit carrier and the go-to person when something goes wrong.
Lint roller (dark suits show every fiber, pet hair, and dust)
Matching tie backups (same pattern, just in case)
Matching pocket square backups
Shoe shine wipes (scuffs happen during photos on gravel)
Stain remover pen (one splash during dinner and you need it)
Sewing kit (needle, black and navy thread for button repairs)
Safety pins (assorted sizes for boutonniere fixes)
Pain reliever (ibuprofen and acetaminophen)
Antacid tablets (nerves and rich food are a rough combo)
Snack bars (energy for the 3-hour gap between getting ready and dinner)
Flask for a pre-ceremony toast (small, one sip each, not a party)
Portable phone charger (fully charged, shared among the group)
Super glue (fixes broken boutonnieres, cufflinks, and buttons)
About the Flask
A small flask for a pre-ceremony toast is a tradition for many groomsmen groups. Keep it to one small sip per person. This is a bonding moment, not a drinking session. Save the real celebrating for the reception when everyone can relax.
Gift Kit Idea: Groom to Groomsmen
Turn the emergency kit into a groomsmen gift. Pre-pack a dopp bag with essentials and personal touches, then give it out during the rehearsal dinner or the morning of the wedding.
What to Include in a Groomsmen Gift Kit
A personalized dopp bag or toiletry case
Engraved cufflinks or tie clip
High-quality breath mints (branded tin)
Travel-size cologne
Premium lip balm
Emergency sewing card (pre-threaded needles)
Fun socks that match the wedding colors
A handwritten note from the groom
$25 - $40
Budget-friendly kit
$60 - $100
Premium kit with engraved items
Priceless
The handwritten note inside
First dance
You guys!!
The Groomsmen's Best Photos
The getting-ready shots, the pre-ceremony toast, the dance floor moves. Groomsmen take some of the best candid photos. With Pix Wedding, they upload to one shared album via QR code.
From Mom
Scan to join the album
No app, no account
UPLOADING
Saving your moment
THE ALBUM
Emma & Jack
June 21, 2026
647 photos · 95 guests
SCAN TO TRY
pix.wedding/
your-wedding
Where to Store the Kit All Day
A great kit is useless if nobody knows where it is when something goes wrong. Assign a single owner (usually the best man) and a known location for each phase of the day.
Getting-ready room
Kit stays open and accessible on a table, not zipped in a suitcase.
Ceremony venue
Best man keeps it in his car or hands it to the coordinator for safekeeping near the altar area.
Cocktail hour
Move it to wherever the wedding party is gathering for photos, usually with the photographer's assistant or a designated table.
Reception
Keep it near the groomsmen's table or head table, within a 30-second walk of the dance floor.
Wardrobe Malfunction Quick-Fix Table
Most groomsmen emergencies are one of these eight problems. Bookmark this table on your phone or screenshot it for the best man before the wedding.
| Problem | Quick Fix | Where It Lives |
|---|---|---|
| Loose button on jacket or shirt | Use the sewing kit's needle and thread to reattach, or a safety pin as a fast temporary fix | Best man shared bag |
| Visible stain from food or drink | Blot (do not rub) with the stain remover pen, then let it air dry before sitting back down | Best man shared bag |
| Scuffed dress shoes before photos | Wipe with a shoe shine wipe in small circles, focus on the toe and heel where scuffs show most | Best man shared bag |
| Lint, pet hair, or dust on a dark suit | Run the lint roller top to bottom in one direction right before lining up for photos | Best man shared bag |
| Missing collar stay making the collar curl | Swap in your own spare collar stay; a stiff piece of cardboard works in a pinch | Individual item |
| Broken or crooked boutonniere | Use super glue on the stem break, or re-pin at a slight upward angle with a spare pin | Best man shared bag |
| Blister forming from new dress shoes | Cover the hot spot with a band-aid before it breaks the skin, not after | Individual item |
| Dead phone before the reception even starts | Plug into the shared portable charger during a lull, like the receiving line or dinner service | Best man shared bag |
Groomsmen Duties Timeline
Beyond carrying the kit, groomsmen have real responsibilities throughout the day. Here is what typically falls to the group at each stage.
Get dressed together, help each other with ties and boutonnieres, keep the mood light for the groom.
Arrive early to help usher guests, direct family members to reserved seating, and handle any last-minute seating questions.
Stand attentively at the altar, hold the rings if you are the best man, and be ready to step in if the groom needs water or a tissue.
Help guests find the bar and restrooms, take initiative in group photos, keep the celebratory energy up.
Support the toasts, get the dance floor started, and help the couple with any last logistics like gift table security.
DIY Kit vs Pre-Made Kit
You can assemble a groomsmen kit yourself for less, or buy a pre-made kit for convenience. Here is the honest tradeoff.
Assemble It Yourself
Cheapest option, usually $15-25 in supplies from a pharmacy or supermarket for the whole shared bag. You control exactly what goes in and can tailor it to your specific suits and shoes. Takes about 30 minutes to gather and pack.
Buy a Pre-Made Kit
Faster and less mental load during an already busy planning season. Pre-made wedding-day emergency kits are widely sold on marketplaces like Etsy and Amazon, generally in the $20-40 range for a men's version. Check the included item list carefully since kits vary widely in quality and contents.
Seasonal Kit Adjustments
The core kit stays the same year-round, but the weather changes what actually gets used first. Add these based on your wedding's season.
Summer / Outdoor Heat
Extra deodorant or an antiperspirant wipe for a midday touch-up
Blotting papers to control shine before formal photos
Electrolyte powder packets, not just water, for hot outdoor ceremonies
A small handheld fan or cooling towel to use before lining up
Winter / Cold Weather
Lip balm and hand lotion since cold air dries skin fast
Hand warmers for outdoor photo sessions
An extra undershirt layer that will not show under a dress shirt
Umbrella or a plan for keeping suits dry between venue and car
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Most kit failures are not about missing items. They are about timing and communication. Here is what actually goes wrong.
Waiting until the morning of to check the collar stays
Fix: Check and pack extras the night before, not while getting dressed under time pressure.
Assuming someone else packed the shared bag
Fix: The best man should confirm out loud, in the group chat, that the shared bag is packed and in his car.
Skipping the shoe break-in period
Fix: Wear new dress shoes around the house for at least a few days before the wedding, not for the first time on the day itself.
Overpacking personal pockets for photos
Fix: Keep pockets flat for photos; store anything bulky in the shared bag instead of your jacket.
Not testing the stain remover pen beforehand
Fix: Some fabrics react differently. Test on an inside seam once before the wedding day if the suit is a delicate fabric.
Forgetting the flask conversation with the groom ahead of time
Fix: Confirm the groom actually wants the pre-ceremony toast tradition; not every groom does, and it should never be a surprise sprung on him.
Watch: Groomsmen Roles and Tips
Groomsmen: 9 Essential Tips and the Important Roles They Play
kaySIMMZpix on YouTube
Quick Reference: The Full List in One Place
Screenshot this section or copy it into a group chat. Everything above, condensed into one printable-style reference.
Each Groomsman Packs
Best Man's Shared Bag
Sources
More Wedding Day Kits and Survival Guides
Why Groomsmen Need Their Own Kit (Not the Groom's)
The groom's emergency kit is focused on his timeline and his unique items: the rings, his vows, his grooming routine. The groomsmen's kit covers the guys standing next to him, who face their own set of challenges: rental suits that do not fit perfectly, shoes they have never worn, and a long day on their feet.
Groomsmen are also the ones most likely to get a stain on their shirt during dinner, lose a collar stay, or need a lint roller before group photos. Their kit should be groomsmen-specific, not a general wedding kit.
- •Rental suits rarely come with extra collar stays, so bring your own
- •Dark suits show lint, pet hair, and dust, making a lint roller essential
- •New dress shoes cause blisters within 2 hours if you skip the band-aids
- •Each groomsman should bring personal items; the best man carries shared supplies
How to Organize the Groomsmen Kit
Send the individual items list to the group chat two weeks before. Ask each guy to confirm he has everything. The best man assembles the shared bag the night before and brings it to the groom's room the morning of.
Keep the shared bag accessible all day. During getting-ready, it stays in the groom's room. During the ceremony, the best man has it in his car or the coat check. During the reception, it moves near the groomsmen's table.
Explore more free wedding tools
Everything you need to make your wedding day stress-free and unforgettable.
Seating Chart Planner
Plan your reception seating visually.
Guest List Manager
Track RSVPs and dietary needs.
Timeline Builder
Plan your entire wedding day.
Venues by State
Explore venues across all 50 states.
Countdown Timer
Count down the days to your big day.
Wedding Checklist
Month-by-month planning checklist.
Bachelorette Party Games
15+ games with rules, supplies, and timing.
Alternative to Wedding Guest Book
15 creative alternatives guests actually enjoy.
Groomsmen Emergency Kit FAQ
Everything you need to know about our free tools and how they help your wedding day.
Each groomsman should bring: extra collar stays, breath mints, deodorant, phone charger cable, band-aids for dress shoes, eye drops, hair product and a comb, and a nail file. Everything fits in a jacket pocket or small zip bag.
The best man carries the shared kit: lint roller, matching tie and pocket square backups, shoe shine wipes, stain remover, sewing kit, safety pins, pain reliever, antacid, snack bars, a flask for a small toast, portable charger, and super glue.
The groom's kit focuses on his timeline (rings, vows, grooming routine). The groomsmen's kit covers the group's needs: rental suit fixes, shared supplies, and items for guys who are less likely to think about emergency prep on their own.
Yes, and it makes a practical, thoughtful gift. Pre-pack a dopp bag with essentials plus personal touches like engraved cufflinks, fun socks, and a handwritten note. Budget kits run $25 to $40; premium versions with engraving cost $60 to $100.
The lint roller. Dark suits show every fiber, pet hair, and dust particle. Groomsmen are in every group photo, and a lint roller takes 10 seconds to use. Close second: collar stays, which rental shops almost never include.
A small flask for a pre-ceremony toast is a common tradition. Keep it to one small sip per person as a bonding moment. This is not meant to be a drinking session. The real celebrating happens at the reception.
Assembling your own is cheaper, usually $15-25 in supplies for the whole shared bag, and lets you tailor items to your specific suits and shoes. Pre-made kits sold on marketplaces like Etsy and Amazon cost more (roughly $20-40) but save time during a busy planning season. Either works, so pick based on how much prep time the best man realistically has.
Groomsmen typically arrive 30-45 minutes early to help usher guests and direct family to reserved seating, support the ceremony itself, help guests find the bar and restrooms during cocktail hour, take initiative in group photos, and help get the dance floor started at the reception. The best man additionally holds the rings and manages the shared emergency kit.