Zipper Trouble on the Big Day? Here's How to Handle It with Style (and Confidence)

Let’s be honest: we forget about zippers...until they break or get stuck. And when it’s your wedding day; the most photographed, emotionally charged, beautifully styled moment of your life, zipper drama is the last thing you want to deal with.

That’s why we’re here. At The Rescue Kit Company, we’ve styled hundreds of brides and walked through every fashion emergency imaginable, including zippers that won’t budge, break, or behave (believe it or not, The Bride Kit was inspired by one major wedding day mishap: a broken zipper). This post is your go-to guide for handling zipper issues like a pro before they happen or right when they do.

Whether your zipper is stuck, broken, or something in between, we’ve got you covered.

1. Sticky Zipper That Won’t Glide? Try Body Glide For Brides.

Sometimes it’s not the zipper’s fault. It’s the fabric, the tension, or even a bit of humidity. A stubborn zipper can add stress and slow down your timeline.

Here’s the fix:
Rub a little Body Glide For Brides (yes, the same kind runners use!) along the zipper teeth. It’s invisible, fabric-safe, and helps that zipper slide like butter. You can also use a stick of lip balm, or wax paper if it's available!
Bonus: While you're at it, rub a little Body Glide For Brides on your feet. They'll thank you when you're dancing the night away!

2. Broken Zipper Teeth? Try a Quick Stitch.

Broken or missing teeth can stop your zipper from locking in place. This usually happens at the bottom or top edge, where all the tension gathers, but it can really happen anywhere along the zipper. 

Here’s what to do:

• If a few teeth are bent or missing at the top, use your pre-threaded needles to stitch a few tight loops around the zipper just below the damaged area. This stops the slider from traveling into the broken zone and getting off its track. The zipper will sit just below the new stitching. You will need to be in the dress while someone does the sewing.

• If the damage is at the base, the zipper may keep separating. In this case, you’ll want to either stitch the garment closed (see tip 4) or try using bonding glue to hold the track together in a pinch (see tip 5).

Pro tip: Always inspect your dress at least a week in advance. Zip it up and down a few times before the big day to test for trouble. If there's ANY hint of stickiness, take a trip to your tailor to see if it needs to be replaced. 

3. Last-Minute Broken Zipper? Don’t Panic. Pivot.

Picture this: you’re halfway zipped up and the slider pops off, the teeth split, or the whole thing just gives up. It’s OK.

First, take a breath. This is where a fashion emergency kit becomes your bridal BFF.

Here are your rapid-response options:

• Stitch it closed (if time allows and the dress allows for stepping in or out). This is probably your safest and strongest option.

• Bond it shut with a quick drying bonding glue. This is if you really don't have someone who feels comfortable with a needle and thread, and just know that you WILL need to be cut out of your dress later, and your fabric will be affected by this. 

• Tape it closed from the inside with double-sided fashion tape and secure with safety pins for backup. We really only suggest this for delicate, lightweight fabrics and a temporary hold. It's not our first resort, but will get you by for a quick fix.

• Call your stylist, planner, or MOH to assist—don’t try to DIY in a moment of panic. Let someone help.

The goal? Get you back in the dress and down the aisle. There will be time for professional repairs later.

4. Sewing Tools to the Rescue

If the zipper is beyond saving, you can stitch the dress closed using the pre-threaded needles or travel sewing kit from your Rescue Kit. Ideally, grab a needle that’s already loaded with the correct color and sew a few tight, discreet stitches along the zipper line.

Keep stitches small, clean, and hidden, and don’t worry about perfection. We’re going for polished, not permanent.

5. Using Bonding Glue for a Fast Fix

For zippers that split or won’t stay zipped, bonding glue is a real MVP. Dab a small amount along the closed zipper seam and press firmly for 30 seconds.
This method works best for stationary gowns. Think ceremony-only dresses or pieces you won’t need to remove quickly.

Pro tip: Apply bonding glue with a toothpick or cotton swab for precision, and always do a test patch on a non-visible section of fabric when you have time. Again, just know that when you use permanent glue, your dress may possibly need to be cut in order for you to take it off! 

6. Can’t Grab That Tiny Zipper Pull? Here’s the Trick.

We’ve all been there: the dress is this close to closing, but your fingers just can't hold on to the tiny little zipper. 

This happens more than you'd imagine! Wedding gowns have heavy fabric, tiny zippers, and are altered often well before the day of the wedding.

Keep a mini paperclip, bobby pin, or ribbon loop handy in your kit. Thread it through the zipper pull (if there is a little hole) to give yourself extra length and grip.
Once zipped, remove it or tuck it discreetly inside the lining.

Sometimes, the zipper pull is too tiny to have a hole in it. We've had good luck getting help from bridesmaids on either side to carefully pull the fabric together, while another helper puts double stick tape around their fingers to grab the zipper pull and gently work it up the dress. The tape helps grab ahold of the zipper pull and will not damage the dress or leave residue behind.

Ask the bride to place her hands at her waist and bend her elbows back while arching her back so the zipper can be be as close together as possible when you're trying to close it. Whenever possible, have two people helping zip (or even 3!). Slow and steady is best. If there's a hook and eye at the top of the zipper, close that once you've secured a little bit of the zipper at the bottom to help anchor the top of the zipper closed to make it easier. 

Final Words from Your Fashion Emergency Crew

Zippers aren’t just closures—they’re confidence keepers. And like so much about your wedding day, they sometimes need a little backup.

That’s why our kits are packed with pro-grade tools, step-by-step instructions, and a little magic to make moments like these disappear before anyone even notices. Whether your zipper cooperates or not, you’re going to look flawless—and we’re here to make sure of it.

PC: Mary Claire Photography