Wedding Help

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.

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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