Plan the Engagement Party of Your Dreams

You’re Engaged! Now what?

What an exciting time! You’re engaged! The happy couple has decided to get married and now it is time to announce your nuptials to friends and family.  Here a few ideas to get you started. Most couples choose to hold an engagement party no later than three months after the big announcement. The purpose of an engagement party is to share the excitement of your engagement with some of your future wedding guests, introduce families and to just celebrate!

Engagement Party Traditions

Traditionally, the brides parents host the engagement party but that’s not necessarily a hard and fast rule, but they should have the first right of refusal to be the hosts. Engagement parties are a time for celebration and to announce your soon to be union. What kind of party should you have? It’s your decision — an engagement party can be anything from a fancy cocktail soiree to a laid-back backyard barbecue. However, if you’re hosting a party that the bride and the groom’s parents will be attending, think about what kind of event will make both families most comfortable, since the engagement party is traditionally considered an opportunity to let the couple’s families get to know each other.  If your families already have a relationship, have the party somewhere where both parties are comfortable with the surroundings.

Who to Invite to your Engagement Party?

When it comes to creating the guest list remember to only invite people who will be invited to the wedding.  If you haven’t set up your wedding list yet, you might want to keep your party just family in order to avoid hurt feelings among friends in the future. It could cause an uncomfortable situation if a friend of yours is invited to the engagement party and not to the wedding.  And don’t invite anyone other than the couple’s parents who will have to travel, since they’ll already be expected to travel for the ceremony itself.

No Rules Panning

There are no rules on types of engagement parties.  It can be anywhere from a home to a BBQ on the beach.  When planning, think about the type of guests you will be inviting.  If there are going to be grandparents or great grandparents, a beach party might not be the best idea.  Try to have your party at a location that will be suitable for all invited.

Let the  Engagement Party Planning Begin

To start planning the party write down everything you will be buying: the invitations, the food, the drinks, the entertainment, and the decor; and come up with a realistic estimate of what you will spend.  Keep in mind that some of the nicest engagement parties can be laid-back at home affairs. Another way to save on the party is to make it a “just desserts” party or serve only cocktails and appetizers. When you go this route, set the party at a time of day when the guests won’t be expecting a full dinner.

At Home Party?

Having an at-home party? Consider making it a potluck and inviting each guest to bring a dish. If it’s a small party and you will be serving dinner, a buffet is the easy way to go.  You can also hire a caterer to cook and bring in the food. To save money, you can have the caterer drop off the food and you can get younger family members to help serve it.

Entertainment is not a must at an engagement party but it certainly is welcome.  You can hire a pianist to play quietly in the background, or to save money and make it more personal, you can create your own playlist of songs that are special to the bride and groom.

Gift giving is not mandatory at an engagement party.  You can put something on the invitation noting that gifts are not necessary.  Some people might bring one anyway so try to have a spot set up for unexpected gifts.

Don’t stress over the last minute details!  Check your list, make sure all is done.  And then have some fun!  Remember this is a celebration for the happy couple; everyone at the party will be focused on them.  The beautiful setting and décor is an added plus!