Here's Your Ultimate Newly Engaged Checklist (Plus 5 Must-Have Items from the SMP X Michaels Collection!)
Getting engaged is a more-than exciting time! You’ve got a beautiful new rock on THAT finger, a new pep in your step (we like to call it a bride-stride), and a new bridal glow about you - it’s a glorious thing! That being said, once your bar cart starts showing low reserves on champagne and your sparkler needs its first shine, it might be time to start getting serious about wedding planning! It can be stressful, sure, but that’s why best friend advice is only a text away and big girl diaries exist in the form of adorable adult journals. You can also use that stride of yours to strut down the aisles of Michaels or head online and check out some SMP X Michaels buys - guaranteed to get that wedding planning game of yours into high gear. It’s not always easy being a bride, but it doesn’t have to be hard, especially if you can lean into it with cute, helpful things that celebrate your single-no-more status!
1. Call your cheering squad.
Before you go and share your impending nuptials news with the universe, make it a point to get pumped up with your VIPs first - parents, siblings, close family and best friends. Your tribe will be along for the [engagement] ride, so giving everyone the heads up before the proposal headlines go viral is a great way to make them feel special & included in the happy news!
Cavin Elizabeth Photography
2. Take that ring selfie.
Even if you’re usually anti-self promotion on the Gram, a proper ring selfie to signal the start of your engagement is an absolute must! Whether it’s a pic of the two of you together, sharing that first we’re-getting-married smooch, something more low-key like a silhouette of your ring box just showing off the glowing goods and an “I said yes!” caption to complement, or a multi-photo carousel of how it went down from start to finish. However you choose to do it, you can guarantee your followers will be thrilled for you and your new fiancé!
2. Take that ring selfie.
Even if you’re usually anti-self promotion on the Gram, a proper ring selfie to signal the start of your engagement is an absolute must! Whether it’s a pic of the two of you together, sharing that first we’re-getting-married smooch, something more low-key like a silhouette of your ring box just showing off the glowing goods and an “I said yes!” caption to complement, or a multi-photo carousel of how it went down from start to finish. However you choose to do it, you can guarantee your followers will be thrilled for you and your new fiancé!
Shannon Moffit Photography
3. Ask your ‘maids!
Undoubtedly one of the most fun parts about the wedding planning process - it’s finally time to ask your best girls to be your bridesmaids! Before you start feeling overwhelmed by all the different ways you can go about popping the question - we’ve got plenty of bridesmaid proposal gift ideas for you! How adorable are our bridesmaid headbands, “be my bridesmaid” cards and bridesmaid mug! No matter what you surprise them with, we can guarantee they’re going to be so incredibly honored to stand by your side while you say “I do” to the love of your life!
3. Ask your ‘maids!
Undoubtedly one of the most fun parts about the wedding planning process - it’s finally time to ask your best girls to be your bridesmaids! Before you start feeling overwhelmed by all the different ways you can go about popping the question - we’ve got plenty of bridesmaid proposal gift ideas for you! How adorable are our bridesmaid headbands, “be my bridesmaid” cards and bridesmaid mug! No matter what you surprise them with, we can guarantee they’re going to be so incredibly honored to stand by your side while you say “I do” to the love of your life!
SMP x Michaels Collection
4. Hit those follow buttons & create a Pinterest board!
This is probably one of our favorite parts of the early planning process - the Instagram follow frenzy. You’re going to want inspiration in many forms, and staring at pictures of infinitely-pretty wedding things is a pretty great place to start. Explore different I-do-related hashtags, find a vendor that you’re mesmerized by and then hit follow on those “suggested for you,” or get familiar with much-loved wedding feeds like Style Me Pretty to see what’s currently trending in the space. If you plan on DIY-ing a lot for your big day, it’s also smart to take stock in what crafty/maker retailers have going on for brides IRL. Michaels FTW 🙌Don’t forget to store all your fave inspo in a Pinterest board solely dedicated to all things wedding planning!
4. Hit those follow buttons & create a Pinterest board!
This is probably one of our favorite parts of the early planning process - the Instagram follow frenzy. You’re going to want inspiration in many forms, and staring at pictures of infinitely-pretty wedding things is a pretty great place to start. Explore different I-do-related hashtags, find a vendor that you’re mesmerized by and then hit follow on those “suggested for you,” or get familiar with much-loved wedding feeds like Style Me Pretty to see what’s currently trending in the space. If you plan on DIY-ing a lot for your big day, it’s also smart to take stock in what crafty/maker retailers have going on for brides IRL. Michaels FTW 🙌Don’t forget to store all your fave inspo in a Pinterest board solely dedicated to all things wedding planning!
Erika Parker Photography
5. Get organized.
Once the dust has settled and you’ve stepped firmly into your new role as bride (or groom), it’s time to go all in on the planning front. We’re big believers in beginning the bridal journey with a binder - many of us even go back to our own planning binders from way back when, even just to remind ourselves that an organized altar-ego did exist at one time. And we’re not shy about bragging about ours… Our bliss-ensuring blush bridal planner kit comes with a TON of checklists, timelines, and worksheets to help brides stay buttoned up with all their I Do to-dos. We’ve made sure to include everything that couples need to get hitched without a hitch, with enough room for notes that might even make meaningful keepsakes for future brides.
5. Get organized.
Once the dust has settled and you’ve stepped firmly into your new role as bride (or groom), it’s time to go all in on the planning front. We’re big believers in beginning the bridal journey with a binder - many of us even go back to our own planning binders from way back when, even just to remind ourselves that an organized altar-ego did exist at one time. And we’re not shy about bragging about ours… Our bliss-ensuring blush bridal planner kit comes with a TON of checklists, timelines, and worksheets to help brides stay buttoned up with all their I Do to-dos. We’ve made sure to include everything that couples need to get hitched without a hitch, with enough room for notes that might even make meaningful keepsakes for future brides.
SMP x Michaels Collection
6. Plan your engagement party!
One of the best ways to remind yourself what all this crazy wedding planning is about is having the most fun ever at your engagement party - celebrating your newly engaged status with all your friends and family! Get together with your MOH and MOB to sip champagne and discuss the details. Feel free to be as hands on or hands off as you’d like throughout the planning process of your engagement party, your amazing MOH and MOB are there to help - so don’t be afraid to ask for as much or as little as you may need.
6. Plan your engagement party!
One of the best ways to remind yourself what all this crazy wedding planning is about is having the most fun ever at your engagement party - celebrating your newly engaged status with all your friends and family! Get together with your MOH and MOB to sip champagne and discuss the details. Feel free to be as hands on or hands off as you’d like throughout the planning process of your engagement party, your amazing MOH and MOB are there to help - so don’t be afraid to ask for as much or as little as you may need.
Terri-Lynn Warren Photography
7. Stay energized.
And while we’re at it… if you’re vignetting your cubicle at the office, you’ve got to have a cup runneth over with caffeine nearby - are we right?! We love something like our Sipping Pretty mug, which doesn’t outright say “BRIDE,” but still has a bridal vibe to it. It’s blush, the aesthetic is on-point, and if it was corralled with all of the other co-workers’ drinkware in the kitchen, everyone would know that it was the soon-to-be-Mrs. who was sipping out of it. Wedding planning requires vigilance, sharp-mindedness, and a marathon ability - for all of those post-work venue and vendor appointments - so, if it isn’t already, #butfirstcoffee is about to become your 24/7 mantra.
7. Stay energized.
And while we’re at it… if you’re vignetting your cubicle at the office, you’ve got to have a cup runneth over with caffeine nearby - are we right?! We love something like our Sipping Pretty mug, which doesn’t outright say “BRIDE,” but still has a bridal vibe to it. It’s blush, the aesthetic is on-point, and if it was corralled with all of the other co-workers’ drinkware in the kitchen, everyone would know that it was the soon-to-be-Mrs. who was sipping out of it. Wedding planning requires vigilance, sharp-mindedness, and a marathon ability - for all of those post-work venue and vendor appointments - so, if it isn’t already, #butfirstcoffee is about to become your 24/7 mantra.
SMP x Michaels Collection
8. Show off.
… Just a tad! You’re the bride, remember? It’s okay if you want to peacock it out while you’re in the planning stages. And by this, we mean getting into the part of the bride. Decorate your coffee table with some aisle-inspired hardcovers, like Abby’s Style Me Pretty Weddings book, rip out and post up a glossy gown gallery in your cubicle, maybe even have some of your engagement photos printed and displayed in your own LOVE decor (with or without pretty flowers). Not only would something like this look gorg on your desk, it’ll help you stay in a great mood during the work day - so you can get your stuff done and get home for time with bae.
8. Show off.
… Just a tad! You’re the bride, remember? It’s okay if you want to peacock it out while you’re in the planning stages. And by this, we mean getting into the part of the bride. Decorate your coffee table with some aisle-inspired hardcovers, like Abby’s Style Me Pretty Weddings book, rip out and post up a glossy gown gallery in your cubicle, maybe even have some of your engagement photos printed and displayed in your own LOVE decor (with or without pretty flowers). Not only would something like this look gorg on your desk, it’ll help you stay in a great mood during the work day - so you can get your stuff done and get home for time with bae.
SMP x Michaels Collection
9. Prioritize your health.
Along with leveling up your energy throughout your engagement, you’ll also want to do your best to stay healthy. Engagement season coinciding with the winter/holiday season is sweet, but a new ring and the flu aren’t exactly the best combo. Hydration is key, but make it fashion with a tumbler that says it all. We love the confetti and the gold calligraphed “Bride,” not to mention, just seeing that word on the regular is enough to incite smiles and consequent wellness (a happy bride is a healthy bride, after all). Be sure to keep it close by, even on your wedding morning, before your bridesmaids make you swap out water for some more spirited sips.
9. Prioritize your health.
Along with leveling up your energy throughout your engagement, you’ll also want to do your best to stay healthy. Engagement season coinciding with the winter/holiday season is sweet, but a new ring and the flu aren’t exactly the best combo. Hydration is key, but make it fashion with a tumbler that says it all. We love the confetti and the gold calligraphed “Bride,” not to mention, just seeing that word on the regular is enough to incite smiles and consequent wellness (a happy bride is a healthy bride, after all). Be sure to keep it close by, even on your wedding morning, before your bridesmaids make you swap out water for some more spirited sips.
SMP x Michaels Collection
10. Get those ZzZzs.
Nightmares can happen when you’re in the thick of planning (yikes, we’re getting a little cringey just talking about it), but good dreams are even more delightful when you’re a bride. So, commit to those eight hours and you’ll find you’re in a much more restful position to get the details of the day done. If that means a comfier pillow, softer, more swaddle-worthy sheets, and a mood app to mellow out your mind before closing your eyes, then do it! In fact, take it one step further with a soft sleep mask from our line at Michaels! Those eyelashes are just too cute!
10. Get those ZzZzs.
Nightmares can happen when you’re in the thick of planning (yikes, we’re getting a little cringey just talking about it), but good dreams are even more delightful when you’re a bride. So, commit to those eight hours and you’ll find you’re in a much more restful position to get the details of the day done. If that means a comfier pillow, softer, more swaddle-worthy sheets, and a mood app to mellow out your mind before closing your eyes, then do it! In fact, take it one step further with a soft sleep mask from our line at Michaels! Those eyelashes are just too cute!
SMP x Michaels Collection
Granted, there’s so much to do when you’re planning a wedding, but it will all get done (fingers crossed!). Prettily, too, if you plan with us - shop the Wedding Collection by Style Me Pretty exclusively at Michaels now!
Granted, there’s so much to do when you’re planning a wedding, but it will all get done (fingers crossed!). Prettily, too, if you plan with us - shop the Wedding Collection by Style Me Pretty exclusively at Michaels now!
