There’s so much more that goes into wedding planning than identifying the perfect venue, a vibey photographer and an electric band. Since I got engaged nearly four months ago, I’ve frequently found myself scouring the internet for recommendations on jewelry cleaners that’ll keep my diamond sparkling, bridesmaid gifts that aren’t cheesy and outfits to wear on the big day and the bridal events in between — the list goes on.
To me, these small details are every bit as important as booking the big vendors. Plus, I’d be lying if I said they weren’t just straight-up fun to shop for. But with so few helpful resources detailing exactly what brides should be buying leading up to the wedding day, I created the ultimate list of everything I’m buying — from fashion items to wedding decor and more — to make my engaged era (and yours) as easy and exciting as possible.
Ahead, here are 33 things I’ve already bought ahead of my wedding day, or am fully prepared to hit checkout on ASAP.
Skin care
In addition to consistent acne treatments, my board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Marisa Garshick of MDCS Dermatology, recommends starting a strict skin care routine at least six months to a year before the wedding. “Some key ingredients brides should look out for include retinol, vitamin C, AHAs and BHAs, hyaluronic acid and sunscreen,” Garshick says.
The festivities aren't just limited to the wedding day. There’s the engagement, bridal shower, bachelorette and welcome-night parties to look forward to. I know my skin will inevitably look and feel tired, so I plan to incorporate this acne-safe pregame mask, which was specifically created to be used before a night out or photo shoot, into my routine.
For years, eye patches have been my go-to hack for reducing tired-looking under-eyes, and after all these bridal events, I’m going to need them. These reusable patches will be the best bang for my buck, plus they feature aptly named phrases like “wifey” and “bridal party,” which also make for a super-cute selfie.
Because I plan on wearing a sleeveless wedding gown, one of my top skin care goals is to treat the keratosis pilaris on the back of my arms so that I can feel comfortable and confident on the big day. This 10% AHA scrub is a physical and chemical exfoliant that’s often recommended by dermatologists like Garshick to exfoliate and smooth the skin.
I’m getting married in the dead of winter, so I desperately need a safe yet effective solution for a natural-looking tan. More importantly, this set is also water-based and free of pore cloggers, so the self-tanner won’t transfer onto my gown, and it won’t break me out either!
Makeup
I’ve always known I wanted to do my own wedding makeup (I do know how to cover up my flaws best), and celebrity makeup artist Kellie Anne Sewell solidified this decision, suggesting that “the trend is going in a more natural direction.” She adds, “As weddings have gotten so over the top, I’ve found brides scaling back when it comes to makeup.”
Sewell’s subscription-based platform includes access to both long- and short-form guided bridal makeup tutorials, plus recommendations on pro-approved products that’ll leave me with long-lasting, photo-ready bridal glam.
I purchased this foundation on a whim for my engagement shoot and I loved the coverage and long-lasting wear so much that I decided it’s the foundation I’m going to use on my wedding day. It also blends beautifully with other products, which is a huge plus!
Surely, I’ll be in tears when I walk down the aisle and see my fiancé for the first time, so I need a waterproof mascara I can count on to keep my lashes intact. I’ve been a longtime fan of the non-waterproof Lash Clash, but for this event, I need something with long wear.
You guessed it! I’m doubling down on waterproof makeup products to prevent any form of smudging when I inevitably start sobbing (happy tears only!). I’ve heard only amazing things about this setting spray and its ability to keep makeup lasting all day (and night) long.
Sadly, my emotional support Beautyblender just isn’t going to get the job done. I decided to splurge on this luxury set of makeup brushes to use alongside my wedding makeup, and it was worth every penny. They’re soft, don’t hold onto product and blend seamlessly.
Fashion and accessories
White is the name of the game when it comes to bridal fashion, but “in 2025 we can expect to see a ton of texture by way of embroidery and embellishments, dramatic ballgowns, snatched-waist corseting and ’90s chic (aka simple drapes and silk fabrics),” says Andrea Louie Brown, divisional merchandising manager for Anthropologie Weddings.
I’ve had my heart set on this Lynn dress, which boasts hundreds of 5-star reviews, after seeing it on my FYP (because where else would you find your future wedding dress these days?). A modern twist on princess style, I instantly fell in love with the trendy drop waist and timeless square neckline. Just when I thought it couldn’t get any better, it’s also completely customizable, according to the brand’s founder and designer, Daria.
“We’re still embracing this hyperfeminine accessory,” says Brown, so this bow veil is a must for every bride. Although I imagine something a bit more formal for my actual wedding day, I want something I can wear to the festivities in between.
I was on the hunt for a showstopping and dance-friendly wedding reception look — until I spotted this bustier gown with lace details online. It’s strapless, so it’s easy to quickly change into without smudging my makeup, and the boned bodice is flattering and on-trend.
Because I’m taking my fiancé’s last name the moment we say, "I do," I ordered this oversized silk bridal bow, which I was able to customize to say my future new last name. It comes with a hidden clip that easily attaches to my hair, and believe it or not, it was under $50.
“Every bride is unique, but for those adhering to tradition, they often prepare five to six distinct looks for their wedding celebrations,” Brown adds. This sleek, one-shoulder white midi dress is perfect for a bridal shower and also comes with a party trick: a removable neck scarf that can switch up my look in seconds.
Of course, none of these looks would be complete without a cute (yet comfy) pair of wedding shoes. This pointed, mesh style decked in pearls is timeless, modern and femme all in one and will admittedly look good with every outfit I have planned.
Jewelry
Beyond the engagement ring, “it’s important to choose pieces that enhance the overall bridal look without overpowering it,” explains Maisie-Kate Keane, luxury bridal stylist and founder of Maisie-Kate Style. I personally don’t believe that I need a special occasion to justify treating myself to new jewelry, but having one definitely doesn’t hurt.
Part of Mejuri’s wedding collection, this classic, sleek and thick gold band is the perfect match for my oval engagement ring. It’s 6 millimeters in width but feels practically weightless on my finger, and I love how the contrast between both thin and thick bands looks together.
Just shy of 500 5-star reviews, these pearl drop earrings are the perfect wedding day accessory. They’re bold yet elegant and of amazing quality, considering they’re under $100!
The excitement of being a bride has me personalizing everything (I’m not kidding), including this 18-karat gold nameplate bracelet from BaubleBar, which I customized to say “Mrs.”
In an effort to find a piece of statement jewelry to complement my bridal festivity looks (think: bachelorette), I came across this gold-filled pearl necklace that didn’t break the bank. I customized it with the letter "N," which is the first letter of my new last name.
Knowing how cloudy my ring has already gotten from everyday tasks like doing my skin care and the dishes, this luxury jewelry cleaning set is definitely going to come in handy.
Wedding planning essentials and gifting
“Wedding planning involves many nuanced details, especially when it comes to save-the-dates and invitations,” says Allison Cullman, Zola’s registry and wedding expert. “Above all else, couples want their weddings to feel authentic and fun.” This means we brides value personalization and little, unique ways we can express our style through things like gifting.
Cullman suggests sending out the save-the-dates “at least six to 12 months in advance,” which is one of the first things I did after booking our venue. I got to choose from a dozen or so free, easy-to-create templates and went with a design that fit our color scheme and vibe.
I’ve heard that brides can suffer from the “wedding blues” post-wedding, so these photo albums will be the perfect excuse to relive some of these happy memories. Plus, it’s a great way to store all the photos we will inevitably take over the course of this year! The bundle includes four linen albums for my bach weekend, bridal shower, wedding and honeymoon.
Etsy has unlimited options for wedding essentials like vow books, but I ultimately landed on these handmade, deckled-edge booklets with silk ribbons. I customized each to say "His" and "Hers" and alternated between black and white ribbons — I can’t wait until they come in.
Cullman says that “gifting members of your wedding party is a really kind gesture, but it’s not an absolute must.” I still wanted to do something sweet, sustainable and practical to show my girls just how much they mean to me, so I purchased this editable newspaper-like template and wrapped it around a bouquet of flowers. It was easy to do, and everyone loved it!
Beyond the bridesmaid proposal (which was a huge success!), I want to give each girl jewelry to wear on the big day and the events in between. I was able to customize these 14-karat-gold nameplate necklaces and select fonts and chains that align with everyone’s styles.
I hired an amazing photographer for my wedding weekend (hello, Emily Meing!). However, there’s just something extra fun and special about capturing other POVs throughout the night. I’ll hand these out to our guests, and I plan to download them post-wedding.
Health and wellness
As someone who prioritizes her health, wellness and sanity year-round, I’m largely focused on my mental and physical well-being leading up to the big day. After all, it is one of the most important days of my life, and I want to feel my absolute best.
Admittedly, being a coffee addict has stained my teeth over the years (like, bad). Ahead of the wedding, I plan on incorporating these sensitive teeth-friendly whitening strips into my daily routine to ensure my teeth are pearly white for all the photos we’ll take on the big day.
To my knowledge, drinking tons of water leads to hydrated, healthy skin, and simply put, I want to be glowing on my wedding day. My goal is to drink at least three of these each day — and naturally, I had to buy a new water bottle in white to help me achieve my goal.
Red-light therapy has played a huge part in my care journey over the years — it’s improved my overall complexion and acne scarring. And since I’ll be traveling during wedding planning and our honeymoon, I need a small infrared light panel that is both effective and portable. Enter: Joov’s The Go 2.0.
Wedding prep is not just about beauty, as fun as that may be. I’ve been focused on getting my arms wedding-day-ready by wearing these TikTok-viral Bala Bangles either strapped around my arms during my hot girl walks or around my ankles when I go to Pilates classes.
This sauna blanket has come in handy between trying to relax during the wedding planning process (anyone else severely stressed out?) and ditching some extra calories safely. It’s one of the very first purchases I made when I got engaged, and it was so worth the money.
One of my goals leading up to my wedding is to get enough shut-eye, and this luxurious, anti-aging, anti-bedhead and anti-sleep-crease silk eye mask will ensure my beauty sleep isn’t interrupted. Plus, it says "bride" on it, which is very on-brand.