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Engagement parties are not supposed to be as big and elaborate as your wedding is going to be, not by a long shot. Yet many people feel like the celebration of their engagement is cause enough to invite everyone on their wedding guest list, rent out a reception hall, and spend a ton of money that they don’t have to do. (Unless of course you are royalty or filthy rich) Traditionally, engagement parties are attended by immediate family and close friends, and are much more laid back than a typical wedding reception. That could be because not many families are not used to throwing engagement parties, they really really want to celebrate this engagement, or they just don’t know about any other options when it comes to engagement party ideas. There are lots of different engagement party ideas to use that can help you tailor the engagement party to the newly engaged couple’s tastes and preferences. But, if you’re having trouble coming up with something, here are some great engagement party ideas to get you started.

Consider A Theme

While some people feel that choosing a theme for an engagement party, or any party for that matter is unnecessary, I beg to differ. Having a theme that you can decorate to will help you to search out your options more efficiently than just a tad of this and that here and there. Some popular themes for engagement parties are : a tropical beach party, a romantic evening in Paris, a night under the stars, or even funny themes such as ball and chain. So if you choose to have a theme with your engagement party, and I really advise that you do, you’ll find decorating the party will be much easier.

Find a Location

While tradition states that engagement parties should be small, making them formal or informal is merely a personal choice. You could host your engagement party in a friend or family member’s home, at a nearby restaurant or even a park. Some other popular engagement party ideas for locations can include amusement parks, sports bars and other fun centers.

Engagement Party Activities

There are certain rituals and activities that are expected to take place at any engagement party. Of course, the activities differ from couple to couple, but overall they ring pretty true. First of all, there is the announcement of the engagement (especially if the engagement is a surprise). Sometimes the family plays some games together, and of course talk about the wedding! This is also a great place and time to ask your friends to be in your bridal shower, announce your wedding day, colors, ideas, etc. Also, be sure to expect many toasts and well wishes from family and friends on your upcoming nuptials.

Engagement parties are typically a great time for everyone involved. It allows the family to celebrate together as well as to get to know the people who will be joining their family very soon. Whatever engagement party ideas you go with for your planning, just be sure that it is centered around the tastes and preferences of the couple. What a truly memorable time you’ll have.

Tags: engagement parties, Engagement Party, engagement party ideas

For some reason, I’ve been pretty interested in looking into engagement parties lately. Maybe it’s the celebration before the celebration, or it could just be the fact that I really never heard that much about it before when I was planning my wedding.  Engagement parties are meant to only be for close family and friends, and kind of a low-key affair. While some couples choose to throw an engagement party for themselves, it is still better if someone else, such as a parent or close friend throws it for you. You want to have a great time at your engagement party, and you want everything to be perfect, so what kind of engagement party invitations are you supposed to use to invite your guests? Are you supposed to send formal invitations to an engagement party, or can you go with something else? I’m sure these are questions on any person’s mind when they are planning such an important event as an engagement party. Here is what engagement party etiquette has to say about the whole situation, and some different ideas for engagement party invitations.

A Formal Engagement Party Invitation

Unless you are planning a formal engagement party, you don’t really need to send out a formal engagement party invitation to all of the guests invited to the shindig. A formal engagement party invitations involves having invitations printed, and look a lot like wedding invitations. Typically only the extremely wealthy throw large and lavish engagement parties with this kind of engagement party invitation.

A Casual Engagement Party Invitation

Most engagement parties that couples plan fall into the casual range. This includes activities such as a nice dinner in someone’s home or in a private room of a nice restaurant.  A casual engagement party invitation can include anything from store bought invitations to homemade invitations made either by hand or on the computer. These casual engagement party invitations are charming, and will help your guests remember the date.

A Totally Informal Engagement Party Invitation

If you are planning a casual or a very informal engagement party, then you don’t really have to send out engagement party invitations at all. In this scenario, a phone call or an email would serve as an excellent invitation to the event.

Engagement party etiquette states that since an engagement party is supposed to be an intimate affair by nature, that you shouldn’t have to send out invitations at all, and that a phone call or email would work. However, due to human nature and the preferences of the couple, engagement party invitations may be necessary to make sure your guests don’t forget about your engagement party.

Tags: engagement parties, engagement party etiquette, engagement party invitation, engagement party invitations

You know, many people say that throwing an engagement party is quickly going out of style, that people just don’t want to throw engagement parties anymore. And yet, when I got engaged and started looking around at different wedding magazines and Internet sites, there was a lot of information out there about engagement parties. Not just what they were, but engagement party etiquette, and other frequently asked questions about a typical engagement party. So, I think that if there was that much information out there about that just a few years ago, that engagement parties are still alive and well. Plus, as long as families want to celebrate the engagement of their daughter, engagement parties will never go out of style. There are lots of questions about engagement parties, and especially the subject of engagement party etiquette. Hopefully, with these main points I can cover the highlights that you’ll need to know.

Who Should Throw an Engagement Party?

Traditionally, engagement party etiquette states that the party should be held by either the parents of the bride and groom, or a close family member or friend. In some instances, couples choose to host their own engagement parties, but preferably, it should be done by someone else.

When Should the Engagement Party be?

An engagement party should be held once the couple is officially engaged. Engagement party etiquette states that engagement parties should be held within the first three months after the couple becomes engaged, and at least nine months to one year before the wedding is scheduled to take place. Remember, you are celebrating the wedding festivities that are to come….not that are next month.

Should Guests Bring Gifts?

Engagement party etiquette states that guests are not required to bring gifts, nor should they be expected to either. An engagement party is meant to celebrate the couple and their love. Now, many guests will still bring a small gift, but the couple should not expect anyone to bring any gifts.

Who Should Attend the Engagement Party?

Engagement party etiquette states that engagement parties are meant to be small and intimate affairs, with only family and close friends in attendance. Remember, you don’t have to invite your entire guest list. Many famous people or the very rich choose to have a huge bash for their engagement party - but in my opinion you can’t beat the closeness and intimacy a smaller party brings.

Should Favors Be Given?

You don’t have to give out wedding favors, but what better time to hand out some great “Save the Date” magnets or other kind of favor? You want to find a great way to thank your friends and family for taking the time to show up for the celebration.

Engagement parties are much more intimate than any other kind of party you’ll have before the wedding. All of the bridal showers or bachelorette parties probably won’t hold a candle to your engagement party. Only at your engagement party will you be able to have your whole family there together, toasting your future (notice my picture) and really becoming a family.

Tags: engagement parties, Engagement Party, engagement party etiquette

You know, in the back of your mind right now you’re thinking that I’m crazy. Yes, an engagement party is a party that is thrown that celebrates your engagement, but there is a lot more to it than that. Many couples and their families throw out the idea of having an engagement party because to them it just seems like an extra expense at t he time. But what many couples don’t realize is that engagement parties are somewhat of a wedding tradition, and they are starting to make a comeback in today’s society, and really are becoming pretty popular. Typically, an engagement party is not only a time to celebrate the engagement, but also a time for the families and friends to meet each other, if they haven’t already. So while you may know that engagement parties are meant to announce your engagement to the world and celebrate with family and friends, here are some little known facts you may not know.

Engagement Parties are Informal

Engagement parties tend to be small, intimate and informal, typically consisting of close friends and relatives. Engagement parties can be as formal or as casual as you choose, but typically they don’t include very many people. Another great thing about engagement parties, they focus on the individual couple rather than the bride or groom to be. You don’t have to spend a fortune on this.

No Gifts are Given at an Engagement Party

As an engagement party is typically thrown one to three months from when the couple gets engaged, it is meant to be before they start their wedding registries. Leave the gift-getting to the future bridal showers. Instead, engagement parties are meant to celebrate the engagement, and not give a gift.

Who Throws an Engagement Party?

An engagement party is typically hosted by the couple’s parents, or another close relative. Etiquette surrounding engagement parties states that an engagement party is not to be thrown by the couple - and that it is in very poor taste to request an engagement party. However, many couples today are choosing to throw their own engagement parties, so really the choice is up to you.

When Should an Engagement Party Be?

As I mentioned above, engagement parties typically take place within a few months from the actual engagement. For couples with long engagements, your engagement party should take place about a year before the wedding, and they are a great place to hand out save the date cards with your favors. I know that when you get engaged, the last thing you’ll need to add the extra stress of throwing an engagement party, hence why they are usually thrown by family or friends. Keep in mind that while engagement parties can not only be a lot of fun, they can also be a time you’ll treasure with your family and friends. Also, if you don’t want to add the extra stress or expense that they aren’t really a necessity.

Tags: engagement parties, Engagement Party