What’s In My Bag: A Wedding Clutch

Summer weddings often include outdoor ceremonies, receptions, and after parties.  If you’re lucky, you get a beautiful 85-degree day with sunshine and cloudless skies.  If you’re the bride whose event some friends attended this weekend, you get a 100-degree-plus heat dome that made the 10:00PM temps in the PNW 92-degrees.

Regardless, celebrants at outdoor weddings need to be ready to deal with the heat and a host of other potential needs, so here’s what I’m packing in my wedding clutch.

The Bag. Today’s bag is the Loeffler Randall Analeigh clutch.  It has a pleated style that’s modern and fresh.  I also love the tortoise and gold accents.  Plus, it’s oversized so you can shove a lot into it.  Want a similar look for less?  Try Banana Republic Factory.

I usually scoop up affordable clutches from H&M or Zara, but when I want to buy something nicer, I stick to a neutral or metallic color palette.  I’ve carried the same gold Marc Jacobs clutch for 10-years, and it goes with everything.

The Lipstick. I bought this Gucci Rouge de Beauté Glow & Care Shine Lipstick in ‘call it a day’ after Kathleen Barnes recommended it.  The color is a mauve-nude that is so pretty on.  And the texture of the lipstick is creamy and smooth with just a bit of shine, so I can wear it for hours without that itchy, dry feeling.  I loved this lipstick so much that I also bought it in Gucci’s signature Goldie Red.

The Heat Essentials. How do you cope with sweat when you’re wearing a bra at an outdoor wedding?  Organic cotton panty liners.  You stick them to the inside of your bra band and cups to absorb some of the excess sweat.  If it’s a particularly scorching day, I’ll pack a couple of extras to change them out so I can feel fresh as a daisy all night.

I also pack individually-wrapped body wipes and just take a moment between the ceremony and reception to freshen up in the bathroom.  And my favorite brand for both products is the Black-owned feminine care company The Honey Pot.  These are their organic cotton liners and plant-based care wipes.

Also, it never hurts to grab some anti-chafe stick and a bit of spray on unscented deodorant if it’s going to be really hot outside.  Layering solutions always works best.

The Roller. Blotting papers remove sweat and oil, but often the makeup right along with it.  TIBAL recommended this volcanic-stone roller from Revlon, and it is a dream.  Just roll it over your freshly made up face to remove the oil and sweat but leave the makeup behind.  Also, don’t forget to apply setting spray to lock your makeup in place before you head out.

Anti-Hangover Pills.  I don’t know about you, but the last thing I want is to wake up with a post-wedding hangover and then have to sit on a plane all day.  Cheers products help you beat a hangover in a hurry.

How do they work?  I’m not a scientist, but the company says that a proprietary blend of vitamins, antioxidants, and Dihydromyricetin breaks down the ‘toxic byproducts’ of consuming alcohol.  Just take three with a big glass of water after your last drink and wake up right as rain.

Battery Pack. Have you ever seen a charging bank at an outdoor wedding?  Or a plug-in for that matter?  Probably not.  So packing this small battery pack lets you keep your phone ready to take photos all night long.  This one also has a built-in cable so you don’t have to pack one too.

So what are your must-carry items for an outdoor wedding?  Leave them in the comments.

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