Congratulations! You have found your soulmate, and now it’s time to plan the engagement party. This is a day that you will always remember because it signifies the start of your new life together with your partner. It is important to take into account all factors for this event so that you can make an informed decision about what type of party theme, location, food and entertainment you want.
You might also have in mind a general idea of what type of party you want, but to make sure that everyone has the best time possible it is important to plan all details. To start planning you will need to come up with some key points for your event and decide if your engagement celebration should be:
Engagement Party Etiquette:
When it comes time to plan your own Engagement Party, there are a few questions that should be thought through before making any final decisions on location, food and entertainment choices. Not sure who pays for an engagement party? What is the basic etiquette for an engagement party? Here are some guidelines and answers to help you plan the perfect engagement party.
Who Is Hosting The Party?
The hosts are the people who organize and pay for the entire party. The engagement celebration is typically hosted by one or both partners, their parents if they have them, or their friends in some cases. When an event is planned by a friend it’s important to make sure that all of your guests RSVP so you can know how many arrangements to make.
When Do You Throw An Engagement Party?
When you are planning an engagement party, it’s important to consider the timeline. The best time is six months before the wedding, but this may vary depending on any engagements that happen in between and other circumstances.
Who Do You Invite To An Engagement Party?
Anyone close to the couple is usually invited. Friends and family members of the bride-to-be are typically on her side, while friends and family of the groom are typically seated with him at his table. If you’re looking for a more formal affair (think: flowers, cake) then consider inviting your parents’ colleagues or business partners who might be interested in the couple’s future happiness.
Do You Need To Send Formal Invitations?
A formal invitation is always a nice touch, but in the age of Facebook and email it’s not necessary. If you do choose to send an announcement then make sure that your guests have enough time between when they get their invite and the event date so they can plan accordingly.
Steps To Planning An Engagement Party
To help guide you in planning this memorable event, we’ve compiled some helpful tips on how to plan for an exciting and memorable night!
Decide Who’s Hosting:
Decide who’s hosting the party, whether it’s you and your partner, your parents, your partner’s parents or your BFF. You may also want to consider if there’ll be a DJ or live band playing during dinner.
Create The Guest List:
Select the guests you want to attend and make sure they’re available on your date. If there’s someone who is not invited that you know would be interested in attending, consider extending them an invitation at a later time.
Consider Your Event Theme:
One way to make this party more memorable is by picking an entertaining and exciting engagement party theme that reflects the personalities of you and your partner, as well as what type of individual’s you want at the wedding. This is also a great time to bring up any funny or embarrassing stories from when you first met, before making it all about just celebrating with friends and family!
Get The Venue:
When considering the location, it’s important to think about who will be attending and what type of party you want. If there are older family members in attendance they might appreciate a more formal event with an elegant feel while younger guests may prefer something more festive and informal. Find a venue that can accommodate the number of guests you want to invite. The location should have adequate space for both dancing and dining, as well as parking if necessary.
Plan Your Menu:
Select dishes from around the world that will appeal to most people’s tastes or decide on a theme such as Italian, Mexican or Greek. Consider avoiding food that has to be eaten with utensils, as this can make it difficult for guests to mingle. Include a cocktail hour with appetizers and drinks. A dinner reception is also an option for those who would like to spend more time mingling with guests or need the space for dancing later in the evening. You can even have both!
Decide What To Wear:
Consider the dress code for your venue. If you’re hosting a more formal affair, then plan to wear something elegant and appropriate. Otherwise think about dressing in dark colours that won’t be stained easily from food or drink spills. Consider what might happen at the event; if it’s an outdoor wedding with lots of dancing, don’t choose shoes that will be uncomfortable after a few hours.
