how do you plan a simple engagement party

1. Figure out who'll host. Want to throw your own engagement party? ...
2. Take some time to breathe—and then set a date. ...
3. Determine the budget. If you are hosting, be careful not to blow your entire wedding budget on this one pre-wedding event.
4. Pick a place that matches the formality. When it comes to planning an engagement party, one of the most important decisions is where to host it.
5. Get the guest list together and decide who to invite. ...
6. Send out engagement party invites with plenty of lead time. For the best engagement party attendance, let your guests know the date as soon as possible. ...
Decide on a menu. Another important element when planning an engagement party is, of course, the food. ...
Think about décor. Give the décor some thought, but don't overthink it. ...
Come up with a gift strategy. Unlike the bridal shower and the eventual wedding, gifts aren't necessarily given for the engagement party.
Assign day-of duties. These days, it's not unheard of to hire a photographer or even a videographer or coordinator for a more elaborate engagement soiree.
Prepare to dress the part. Your first party as a to-be-wed couple deserves special outfits. ...

Full Answer

What is the proper etiquette for an engagement party?

Some thoughtful ideas include:

• A decorative picture frame for them to place an engagement or wedding photo in
• A set of champagne glasses and a bottle of bubbly
• A pair of coffee mugs with their new last initial on them
• A pretty vase for all the special occasion flowers that will follow
• A thematic book of love poems, romantic stories, or wedding planning advice

How soon should we have an engagement party?

• Do choose your timing well and send your invites out early.
• Don’t splurge unnecessarily at the party.
• Do invite-only guests who will be at the wedding.
• Don’t expect gifts, but keep an open mind.
• Do welcome the guests personally.
• Don’t attach your gift registry to engagement party invites.
• Do keep your engagement party short and interesting.

More items...

How to plan a simple engagement party on a budget?

• Venue fees (if you prefer renting for a venue)
• Guest book
• Place cards
• Tables and chairs
• Catering services and other food expenses
• Service fees for entertainers, masters of ceremonies, and other manpower that you may be needing for the party

More items...

Can you plan your own engagement party?

Throwing your own engagement party raises the question of propriety. It can make you look like you're using the event to call attention to yourself and a way to get a bunch of gifts. It's looks better, and a lot easier on you if a friend or relative offers to host your engagement party, but, in the absence of one, throw caution to the wind and host your own engagement party.

What is supposed to happen at an engagement party?

Speeches, toasts, love stories, some dancing, and fun questions happen at an engagement party. It's also an opportunity for families and friends to meet, have fun, and break the ice.

What is a typical engagement party?

Engagement parties typically consist of socializing, enjoying food and drinks, and a game or two. The goal of an engagement party is primarily for loved ones to say congratulations and give a personalized gift or engagement card. You'll want to make sure there's music, appetizers, and casual seating.

What do you do for guests at a engagement party?

20 Engagement Party Games and Activities Your Guests Will Love01 of 20. Ring Hunt. Photo by Chi-Chi Ari. ... 02 of 20. Set Up a Photo Station. Photo by KT Merry. ... 03 of 20. Create a Custom Snapchat Geofilter. ... 04 of 20. The Nearly Wed Game. ... 05 of 20. Beanbag Toss. ... 06 of 20. Ring Toss. ... 07 of 20. Bridal Jeopardy! ... 08 of 20. Memory Lane.More items...•

How do you throw an inexpensive engagement party?

Four simple tips for throwing an engagement party on a budgetSet a budget—and stick to it. Before you spend a dime on the party, decide how much you're able to spend. ... Host an intimate affair. ... Opt for drinks and hors d'oeuvres. ... Make smart decorating decisions.

Who throws the engagement party?

Traditionally, engagement parties are hosted by the bride's parents, but really anyone can throw the engagement party. Some couples even choose to throw their own celebration!

Who pays for dinner at an engagement party?

"Really anyone could pay for and plan the engagement party, though the bride's parents are the traditional hosts and should still get the first chance to throw this party. It's also okay not to have an engagement party at all or to have two.

How do you make engagement fun?

To add lots of sparkle and fun to your celebration, check out this list of top engagement party games.Ring Toss. Design: Claudia Owen. ... Bridal Bingo. ... The Shoe Game. ... Themed Trivia Quiz. ... Mad Libs. ... Match the Memory. ... Ring Hunt. ... The (Almost) Newlywed Game.More items...•

How long should an engagement party last?

about 4 hoursEngagement parties generally last about 4 hours only so plan for food and drink accordingly. Also, you don't need a fancy expensive cake like you'll want for your wedding. You can serve any dessert you like, no worries.

Do you give favors at an engagement party?

Inexpensive favors, such as save-the-date magnets or personalized chocolates and candies that serve as reminders of the wedding date are a great way to thank guests. Can my engagement party be a surprise? Absolutely!

Do you play games at an engagement party?

One of the best ways to have guests (who may not know each other) mingle and get acquainted is to play a few engagement party games and icebreakers. Of course, playing engagement party games definitely isn't mandatory engagement party etiquette, but it can only add to the fun.

When should an engagement party be held?

There is no hard and fast rule about exactly when to throw an engagement party, but they are typically held within a few months of the proposal. Engagement party invitations should be sent around four to six weeks before the event to give guests proper notice.

How to serve alcohol at a party?

If you want to serve alcohol, stick to beer and wine. Make sure to set a party time that coordinates well with your budget. For example, if you only want to serve small bites, don’t host the event around a meal time. Put it at mid-afternoon or after dinner.

Do you need an invitation for an engagement party?

A formal, printed invite is not required when planning an engagement party. They are a lovely touch, but not necessary with social media working just fine for this casual get together. If you need to cut your budget somewhere, this might be the place to do it, especially if your guest list is small.

Should guests bring gifts to an engagement party?

Guests shouldn’t feel obligated to bring an engagement party gift for the couple. But some people might feel awkward showing up empty-handed. They might bring a token gift for their engaged friends, or a host/hostess gift for you. As the one in charge of the party, thank them graciously and put the gift on a table.

Do you have to give a toast at an engagement party?

Toasts are not as expected at an engagement party as they are at a shower or rehearsal dinner. However, if you want to give a toast, that’s great! Guests should look to the host to kick off the toasts as their cue to give one as well. Guests shouldn’t feel obligated to bring an engagement party gift for the couple.

What is the best place to host an engagement party?

When it comes to planning an engagement party, one of the most important decisions is where to host it. A restaurant or home is a classic choice for an engagement party, but there's no reason you have to limit yourself to those two options, and any spot—from an art gallery to a beach—is fair game.

What to do if you don't have a guest list?

If you don't have a sense for your guest list yet (and that's okay) just keep it small with only your closest friends and family to make sure you avoid any hurt feelings later on. The guest list to your engagement party will also depend on the amount of space available, your party budget and who is planning the party.

Can you have more than one engagement party?

There's really no right or wrong when it comes to how to plan an engagement party. You can also have more than one engagement party hosted by different people. So there's no need to stress if your parents want to throw a formal event just for family, while you might like to host something more casual for your friends.

Is a budget good for a wedding?

Detailed budgets aren't just for the wedding, and this will give you a chance to practice crunching those numbers. Even if you're having a very low-key event, a budget is still a good idea, because you (or whoever's hosting) will want to have a sense of what's realistic to spend.

Is planning an engagement party stressful?

Planning an engagement party doesn't need to be stressful. If you enjoy planning parties, take charge and make it a blast! If you're not so excited at the prospect, take up someone else's offer to host this signature pre-wedding event.

What is an engagement party?

An engagement party is exactly what it sounds like: a celebration of a couple's official engagement. Typically, it's a gathering of friends and family who will be attending the wedding. For distant family members or friends that live in other places, it's a wonderful opportunity to bond even more with the couple.

Can a family member host a wedding?

There aren't any rules around hosting a wedding. If a family member or friend wants to plan an engagement party for the couple, they certainly can. However, if the couple would rather host an event themselves, that's perfectly fine.

Is an engagement party a pre-wedding event?

For the couple, it's a great time to share details of their relationship with everyone prior to the wedding. An engagement party isn't a mandatory pre-wedding event, but it's a lovely way to celebrate your relationship milestone with the ones you love most.

Can you invite someone to your wedding?

Inviting someone to your engagement party and not inviting them to the wedding could cause hurt feelings, so it's best to steer clear of that situation whenever possible. You can invite both friends and family members, or you can plan two separate parties: one for family and one for friends.

What is an engagement party?

Traditionally, engagement parties were cocktail hours hosted by the family of the bride. Nowadays, the affair can be as big or small, formal or informal as you'd like! Part of the fun of an engagement party is tailoring it to your precise vision.

Why do couples have multiple engagement parties?

Many couples celebrate with multiple engagement parties because their friends and family are spread all over the place.

Is an engagement party gift centric?

Unlike bridal showers, engagement parties aren't typically as gift-centric (despite the fact that some guests will likely want to send or bring a gift). That means you probably won't devote any time to opening gifts in front of the group.

Can parents come together for an engagement party?

Both sets of parents can come together to cohost an engagement party, the couple can throw one themselves or friends of the couple can do the honors. Just keep in mind that if the couple does the inviting, it's their responsibility to foot the bill too.

Can you have more than one engagement party?

Traditionally, the bride's parents are expected to host the first official celebration, then the groom's parents can throw their own party ( yes, you can have more than one engagement party). But this way of doing things is by no means the rule. Both sets of parents can come together to cohost an engagement party, ...

Is engagement party formal?

As with many modern matrimonial events, your engagement party can be as formal or relaxed as you'd like. Engagement party etiquette isn' t as hard and fast as it once was. When it comes time to plan yours, consider the mood you'd like to set.

How to have an engagement party?

Where To Have An Engagement Party? 1 The location of the hosts: An engagement party will hold wherever the hosts reside. Unless there are a discussion and agreement for a change of venue, the couple will go to them. This also opens the couple to the possibility of more than one party. 2 The location of the bulk of guests: This is another important factor, as it will be best to hold the party where most of the guests are resident. This is better than pulling them out of one location to another, for a party. 3 The intended location for the wedding: In the reverse of asking all your guests move from a particularly concentrated area, you can host your wedding at theirs. This rules out the stress of guests having to travel twice. 4 The type of engagement you plan to have: If you want casual, then a home, backyard, or park is it. For a casual or semi-casual, a garden, restaurant, country club, or private hall suits.

How to invite people to a wedding?

Invite your guests through email, or formal wedding invite. Do not use social media, except you create a closed group. This is to avoid hurting people’s feelings. Invite only people who you’ll invite to your wedding. Keep it small, and make it an affair of close family, and best friends.

Can the groom's parents host a surprise party?

And then the groom’s parents can decide to host one. It can also be a case of joint hosting by the parents. Surprise parties could be organized by friends too. Or the couple could decide to host their party. Only remember that, at the end of the day, it’s all about the couple.

1. Allocate a budget

While it may seem pretty obvious, a crucial step towards saving is allocating a set budget to the event. Sort your bills and decide the amount of money you are willing to spend on the party.

2. Décor

Remember that the event will last only for a few hours, so you do not have to buy overly expensive things just for the sake of it. Thus, go for cheaper alternatives like a few string lights across the patio and, if possible, try and DIY.

3. The Engagement

If you want to have a party the same day as the engagement, you must first take care of the Engagement ring. It is not just any other accessory. It’s a token of appreciation and devotion for your loved one. In other words, the first step towards forever with your twin flame.

4. Invites

Choose who you want to have at your party. Note that it is not obligatory to invite all guests you plan to call on your wedding day. Instead, arrange a small gathering of close family and friends.

5. Food and Drinks

Frankly, when attending an engagement party, the guests do not expect a buffet dinner or lunch. Hence, the food and drinks part is where you can save the best amount. Try and organize the party at a time of the day when people do not have meals, so you can opt for serving small bites. Ideally, these times are mid-afternoon or post-dinner.

6. Location

Another thing that keeps you on a budget is deciding the location. Booking a separate venue like a hall will cost a lot and is not suited for small gatherings. Thus, try and arrange the party in your backyard or go for a picnic! Both these alternates are super chic and cost-effective.

Final Thoughts

Lately, don’t get too caught up in things that you forget to enjoy your day. Remember, these events are supposed to bring joy to you and your loved ones. Have fun, and stay blessed!

1. Set A Date for Your Engagement Party

Your engagement is special and you should announce the date of the celebration well in advance so people can lock it in their calendars.

2. Select a Host for The Engagement Party

Normally, the bride’s parents are the ones who host the engagement party, but you may also host it yourselves. If your parents or families live in different cities, you may decide to have two celebrations.

3. Make A Guest List

When you are preparing an engagement party planning checklist, a guest list is a crucial step. Most engagement parties are casual events where family and close friends may interact.

4. Pick a Venue for Your Engagement Party

Choose a venue that accommodates your guest list, vibe, and budget. Your engagement party may be large or small, formal or informal, so find a venue that matches.

5. Send Invitations

Let your guests know the chosen date for your engagement celebration as soon as feasible. Invitations should fit the formality of the event, just like the location.

6. Plan a Budget for The Engagement Party

Planning an engagement party is also an excellent way to practice communication with your fiancé. If you can plan a successful engagement together, and still be friends at the end, it’s a great sign for your marriage.

7. Choose A Theme

Themes can be as elaborate or as minimal as you like. The goal is to enjoy the experience and create something memorable, so decorate accordingly. Whether you like an all-white design, contemporary elegance, or rustic florals, the decision is yours.