Pack a small bag with some essential items to help you through the day. Ask your attendants or a trusted friend or family member to keep it close by. In Queensland, the hot weather can take a big toll on you quickly - dehydration will cause headaches and dizziness so have water available at all times and keep sipping it. You may like to charge it with a couple of flower essences for balance and harmony. You can also buy pre-charged water with Australian bush flower essences.

Pack some paracetamol too - many venues will not give this out now due to insurance and other restrictions on their operations. An alternative is the Migrastick - essential oils to clear a headache.

A small first aid kit can be a good idea too, especially for outdoor weddings. This can include some arnica ointment for bumps and sprains, some tea tree oil or antiseptic cream, bandaids, a small pair of scissors, some tweezers, some rescue remedy and some safety pins. A cool washer (stored in a plastic bag) can be used on the back of your neck if the heat is getting too much.

A small sewing kit like that you sometimes get in hotels can come in handy, to sew a button back on or catch up a hem that has come down.

You may like to consider too packing some mouthwash, some mints, lip balm and face powder to absorb any sheen from the heat or nerves. Bobby pins, hairspray and a calming spritz (pamper yourself with an essential oil spritz from somewhere like Perfect Potion if you can) also may come in handy. Hairspray can prevent clinginess from static electricity. Clear nail polish can be good to stop runs in stockings and glue bits back on.

Even with all this preparation, something may happen that you just don't have a remedy for. For medical emergencies, remember to call triple zero. If you mobile phone does not work with this number, try 112 from your mobile phone.

For small "disasters", keep the big picture in mind - go with the flow if you can and enjoy your day! It may make an interesting story for the grandchildren one day. And it's just as likely that you won't need anything you packed in your emergency kit.

Marlee Bruinsma © 2006