Are you recently engaged or do you have someone close to you who is? This is an exciting time, and leading up to the wedding there are many parties to celebrate the happy couple. To start this journey, an engagement party is a fun way to share the news with friends and family!
Here are a few tips on how to plan this one-time event:
Getting Started
You may be wondering how to start the event planning. Here are a few basics: Typically, the engagement party is held within a few months of the engagement, and is usually hosted by the bride’s parents (The Knot). If you would rather host (or have your bridesmaids do it), go for it! This might be good practice for your bridesmaids to take initiative in planning events leading up to your wedding. If you don’t have your bridesmaids picked out yet, don’t worry, that’s often the case! You still have plenty of time to solidify your wedding party. At this point, you can recruit help from family members or a couple solid friends that you trust. Gathering support from family or friends for this first celebration can be an immense help.
Planning Details
Luckily, the planning process for the engagement party will mimic that of the actual wedding. That being said, it is important to create a guest list, make invitations and send them out with enough time for guests to RSVP (about 3 weeks). Another rule of thumb: everyone who is invited to the engagement party should also be invited to the wedding. This will help you avoid any awkward conversations later on. You don’t have to create your guest list this early, but inviting close family and friends to your engagement party is a safe place to begin. So, what next? This event doesn’t have to be a huge spectacle, but creating a menu and drink list is important so your guests are taken care of! Beyond these details, the party can be as grand or as intimate as you would like. If you’d like to match the extravagance of the event to that of your wedding, it can make planning easier.
Setting The Scene
This event can be as formal or informal as you’d like. It can be at your favorite restaurant, a friend’s backyard, or at your home. It can be a suit and tie event, or a shorts and sandals kick back. You get to choose! In addition, decorations don’t have to be over the top. These can include very simple color themes, or you can add as many decor details as you’d like. Although gifts aren’t a requirement, having a small area set aside for them is appropriate, but not necessary. Most importantly, you should relax and enjoy time with your significant other and guests. Don’t stress too much over specific details or if everything is perfect. Remember, your guests are there to celebrate YOU! Eat yummy food, enjoy good company, and keep this as a time to celebrate a new season of life.
Congratulations on your engagement, have fun planning, and don’t stress too much! Recruit the help of family and friends to plan this event and keep it as simple or extravagant as you’d like. Although some planning is necessary, such as invitations, guest list, and food, this is a time for you to be celebrated.
