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5 Must-Have Items to Keep in Your Bridal Clutch on the Wedding Day

Published Thursday, Feb. 20th, 2025


Este articulo en español

Close up of bride carrying a purse in a wedding dress on a sunny day
(Photo: EyeEm Mobile GmbH / iStock)

What to put in a wedding purse or bridal clutch: Emergency items you don’t want to be without on the wedding day! 

 

There are a few items you’ll want to keep oh-so-close on your wedding day – items that will keep you camera-ready and calm no matter what comes your way. That’s where a stylish bridal clutch or wedding purse comes in! 

 

Related: 5 Great Reasons to Ask a Friend to Officiate Your Wedding

 

Many day-of essentials can be placed in your wedding emergency kit, but a few items are so important that they should be kept even closer, so that you don’t have to wait for the help of a wedding attendant or your wedding officiant when you need them. We recommend you keep these extra items in a small purse or clutch – or even a retro mini-backpack or fanny pack, if that’s more your style. Any small bag that compliments your wedding look will do! 

 

 

Photo of a bridal clutch and shoes arranged on a table at the wedding

(Photo by Anna Frolova / Pexels)

 

 

Do Brides Carry a Purse on Their Wedding Day?

 

Many brides carry a purse on their wedding day to keep essential items within reach. You can wear your bag at the party, or place it on a nearby table for easy access. Although some brides prefer to store all their belongings in a bridal suite or wedding suite, or give them to a bridesmaid or wedding attendant to keep track of, many others prefer the autonomy of carrying a clutch or handbag. 

 

Related: Ask a Bridesmaid to Get Ordained to Serve as a Backup Officiant
 

Not to mention, a clutch is one more opportunity to accessorize. Wedding purses and bridal clutches can be a custom-match for the day, or a beautiful handbag that can be reused many times after the wedding. 

 

 

Three images side by side, of different brides holding purses on the wedding day in very different styles

Carry a purse or clutch that amplifies your personal style and keeps essential items close. (Photos:  Syed Qaarif Andrabi  / Sabrina Steck / El gringo photo / Pexels)

 

 

What Does a Bride Need to Carry in Her Purse?

 

We recommend the following must-haves be placed in a bridal clutch or purse, which can be carried, worn, or placed on a table during the reception. You might not need all of these items, but many brides swear by them:

 

  • Tissues 
  • Blotting paper
  • Lipstick
  • Compact with mirror
  • Phone
  • Mints
  • Tampon or liner (if needed; stress can make this an unexpected essential!)
  • Mini bottle of contacts solution / rewetting drops
  • Epi-pen (if needed)

 

Remember! These Must-Haves are Extras on Top of Your Wedding Emergency Kit List

 

Just a reminder, these items are in addition to your wedding emergency kit. Your wedding emergency kit list will be much more extensive – its job is to help you avoid wedding day disasters and disappointments. Your wedding emergency kit should be well-stocked with stain remover pens, nail clippers, eyelash glue, a small sewing kit, hair pins, and much more. To see everything we’d pack in a wedding emergency bag, click the link below: 

 


What do you think – is there anything else you want with you at all times during the wedding day? What would you add to your bridal purse that’s not on our list? 

 

 

Bride and groom in snowy photos, groom carries a backpack

Anyone can carry a bag on the wedding day! (Photo: Robert / Pexels)

 


 

Make the Wedding Day a Success: Having a Friend Officiate Your Wedding


Carrying a purse or clutch packed with essential items can help keep the wedding day stress-free, but it’s only the first step! A close friend or relative can also help you prepare in a very important way -- by serving as your wedding officiant! 

 

Your loved one can get ordained online for free with American Marriage Ministries to officiate your wedding, or to serve as a 'backup officiant' to ensure your ceremony takes place even if something unexpected happens on the wedding day. Our online ordination form only takes a few seconds to fill out, and we offer free training for first-time officiants on our website. Click the links below to get started! 

 

 

 

 

 

Congratulations on your upcoming marriage. Enjoy the wedding ceremony, and don't forget to have fun!

 


 

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Jessica Levey
Jessica Levey

Lead Staff Writer & Illustrator

Jessica loves exploring the history and magic of ritual, the connections between people and places, and sharing true stories about love and commitment. She's an advocate for marriage equality, LGBTQ+ rights, and individuality, and is an ordained Minister with AMM. When she’s not writing or illustrating for AMM, she enjoys city hikes, fantasy novels, comics, and traveling.

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