With formal wear i'm surprised you didn't include a pen (formal situations would warrant something that looked nice - don't have to be expensive). For me, anything business or formal requires a pen. On that note, a small notepad doesn't hurt (trying to remember some body's name from the night before after 6 glasses of champagne isn't good ;-) ). I personally carry a small moleskine with me.

Also in formal events, having a nice supply of 5 and 10 dollar bills gets you great service, even at the open bar. Every time you get a drink, drop a 5 dollar bill down and when you come back they remember your drink and will skip over people to serve you. Little tips through out the night will make the evening go better and personally consider this a form of EDC. Besides, nice to have cash for a cab ride home ;-).

And I agree with Jim, a flashlight would be up there for me for EDC at any event. But don't have it on your car keys (possible valet situation), but have one in your pockets somewhere that you can have easy access to.

Hope you had a good time!

Kris

btw: nice knife kc2ixe!

My main shortcoming was the lack of a flashlight and I will remedy that quickly for any future events.

Another shortcoming was 2 needles threaded with black and white thread. For wardrobe malfunctions. I didn't have one except for the lack of suspenders but two people at the ball had zipper problems that I heard about. One of the small plastic ziplocks bags would be perfect.

Since I am dumb (stupid) enough to be a smoker, the lighter is NOT going to be dropped.

One gentleman was wearing a formal kilt and I really liked the dirk that he carried. I may go for the kilt in the future, if I can figure which clan's colors my ancestral family came under.

I carry a Levenger pocket briefcase. The personalized cards are good for handing out, and I get a lot of compliments on the whole unit.

http://www.levenger.com/PAGETEMPLATES/PRODUCT/Product.asp?Params=Category=16-900|Level=2-3|PageID=2398|Link=Img

That is a good idea. But instead of carrying multiple types of thread, why not just some fishing line that would work with almost any colour. Just have to get the dull looking type (for lack of a better description and proper model names). Don't want the shiny stuff.

And probably to add to this would be replacement shoe laces (not paracord as it probably wouldn't fit the holes in a dress shoes - not to mention it would stand out and formal events are all about being visually conservative). I did this when I was living on the road for a few years as a contractor. Shoe laces (no matter what they are made out of) would fail at the wrong time.

I like that product!

Too large for me. I made one from a plastic CD binder and a stick-on business card pocket.

Holds the small memo pads, and about tennish business cards. Looks nice. Fits inside dress shirt front pocket alongside a pen and mechanical pencil, all side by side (no bulge).

I've actually thought about this before too. I like the idea of slim pocket knife with a single blade with a fine handle. Bone or wood or shiny metal. Slim, so it's inconspicuous in the pocket, but with a decent sized blade. Either of these two would make nice inexpensive choices:Swiss Army solo alox, Swiss Army bantam alox One of the photon type lights for illumination with the the clip removed (just a touch smaller in the pocket). A handkerchief or pocket square for all of its utility. The cellphone is a maybe, useful, but not something I necessarily want to carry in a formal setting. But a nice pen and pad are something I like to carry, and for professionals a few business cards are always a good idea. And the slim zippo is probably the best choice for fire.

I've brought my gerber tool to a wedding -- just in case...

I got married 20 years ago with a SAK Lumberjack in my pocket, I do not remember if it was to slit my wrists or just EDC?

I also gave my 2 Groomsmen thin Buck knives as a gift, we called them dress knives.

I now carry a SAK Farmer for the odd time I am in a suit.

Mike