Engagement Party 101: All about the who, what, when, where and why
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Source: Sarah and Brent Photography
Congratulations on your engagement, and get ready to dive into the exciting world of engagement party planning. Planning this special celebration can be both thrilling and overwhelming, but fear not, because we're here to provide you with the essential knowledge and answers to the most common questions that arise during the process.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through the key aspects of planning an unforgettable engagement party in 2023. From understanding the who, what, when, where, and why, to navigating through various considerations, we've got you covered. Whether you're a bride, groom, family member, or friend, this blog aims to offer valuable insights and practical advice to ensure a seamless and enjoyable celebration.
So, let's embark on this exciting journey together, as we unravel the intricacies of planning an engagement party in 2023. Get ready to make lasting memories and celebrate the beginning of your new chapter surrounded by loved ones. Let's dive in!
1. What is an engagement party?
An engagement party is a fun way to celebrate your "she said yes" moment with your loved ones, beyond a simple announcement on social media, you can share your excitement with your friends and family by throwing a party. Engagement parties are a great way to introduce your families to each other, break the ice and get your wedding guests mingling before the day, and to celebrate the upcoming wedding.
Engagement parties are not a must but can be a nice touch to start your wedding planning.
2. Do you have to have an engagement party?
In short, no! If you aren’t looking to do an engagement party, you don’t have to. With weddings, there are loads of opportunities to celebrate before the day, which means there is no need to place strain on your wedding budget if you don’t need to.
But if you are really feeling in the mood for a celebration, why not?
3. Who hosts and pays for the engagement party?
Keeping to tradition, the bride’s parents usually throw the engagement party. This isn’t always done anymore and can be hosted by close friends and family of the bridal couple or the couple themselves, if they wish. The bride’s parents should always be given the first option of hosting.
If you are really excited about getting married, you might also feel that you’d want two engagement parties, one for each of your hometowns or one for family and one for friends.
4. Where do you hold an engagement party?
Engagement parties can be as big or as small as you like, giving you loads of flexibility for the venue. Depending on who's hosting it, a cocktail reception at your parents’ home or a party in your aunt’s backyard is a lovely, intimate option. Depending on your budget, you could also rent out a private dining room at a bar, pub, garden, an estate, or your favourite restaurant for something a little more formal and without worrying about setting up and cleaning up afterward.
Something to keep in mind; if the hosts are local, the party would be celebrated in your city/ town. But if the hosts are not local, you may want to have it in their city/ town.
5. When do you have an engagement party?
In a perfect world, the engagement party usually takes place as soon as a couple of months after the proposal. This gives you enough time to experience the joys of being engaged together and to let the excitement sink in. The engagement party also serves as a start to getting down to serious wedding planning.
Though with global pandemics such as Covid-19, sometimes this can't happen until a year or so later and that is also ok. Unlike a bridal shower that would need to be held closer to the wedding date, your engagement party can be at a time that suits both of you and the surrounding circumstances around lockdowns and social distancing.
Once you’re both happy to set a date to celebrate with your loved ones, I recommend giving your guests one month’s notice (up to 6 weeks if you’re inviting long-distance friends and family), to send out your engagement party invitations.
6. Do you need to send engagement party invitations?
No, engagement party invitations are not a must but are a nicer touch than a haphazard text or email. Deciding whether to send formal invitations to your guests depends on the type of event you are wanting to have.
- If you are having a seated dinner, or a cocktail party that is a little more formal, paper invitations are an elegant option.
- If you are going for a more casual, laid-back, and intimate party, e-vites are a playful option that your guests would enjoy and carry on their phones with them too.
Don’t worry about the theme of your invitations, they don’t need to match the theme of your wedding. Feel free to choose a simple, informal, or playful design that can be printed or digital. Most designs nowadays come with professional wording already laid out that you can type in your details and send, saving you the time to sit in engagement bliss.
If you are a little more organized and have your wedding registry ready, you could also include a link to your registry on your invitations in case some guests would like to buy you an engagement party gift.
Source: Make Me Digital Contemporary Calligraphy Engagement Party Invitation
7. How long should an engagement party last?
There is no set time but can last between 2 – 4 hours. This allows you enough time to share in your excitement with your guests, have a good catch-up, and enjoy a few drinks and nibbles with everyone.
If you’re wondering what to do in terms of food, it can be as simple as a potluck or BBQ. If you are at a restaurant, they would then take care of that for you (which can save you on cooking and cleaning time)
Source: Brooke Womack Photography
I hope this helps you with your engagement party planning. If you are keen to get started on planning one, that's great!
When it comes to engagement party planning, you might be wondering about the best resources to make your event truly remarkable. Look no further than Make Me Digital, a leading provider of editable party templates specifically designed for engagement celebrations. With a wide array of engagement party invitation themes, matching signage, engaging games, and even customizable menus, Make Me Digital has everything you need to bring your vision to life. Discover how our user-friendly designs can simplify your planning process and create a truly unforgettable engagement party experience.
Shop your engagement party stationery here
If you have any questions regarding engagement party stationery or need help deciding on a theme, please feel free to get in touch