Throwing An Engagement Party

How much do engagement parties cost?

Engagement parties, like weddings, range in price depending upon the type of event you're having, the location, the number of guests and what kind of style you're going to be incorporating.

What percentage of couples are having engagement parties?

A lot of people, a lot of couples are having engagement parties. But then a lot of couples are not having engagement parties. The couples that aren't having an engagement party usually send out an announcement of their engagement and that can be by paper or maybe it's included with their save the date for their wedding.

What's the difference between an engagement party and a wedding shower?

An engagement party and a wedding shower are different. You can have a couple's wedding shower or an engagement party. An engagement party is to announce the engagement and that the couple is going to get married several months from now. When the wedding shower takes place, which could be a couple's wedding shower, that's really celebrating that the couple is starting their life together in their new home and you usually bring them gifts for their home.

What's the most popular type of engagement party?

Engagement parties generally are more casual than the wedding. So popular engagement parties could be; luncheons, barbecues, cocktail receptions or even surprise parties.

When should I throw an engagement party?

The engagement party you can have between one and three months after the proposal, but don't have it too close to the wedding; you want to allow at least six months before the wedding takes place, because you don't want to have too many activities too close together. When you are six months before the wedding, you are going to start planning the wedding and getting involved in those activities; dress fittings, organizing the flowers, and people are starting to think about that day, they already know that you are engaged by that time.

What are the etiquette rules for an engagement party?

Engagement party etiquette that is suitable for each couple will vary depending on the type of party that they're having. Something to consider is timing - you don't want to have it too close to the wedding. Also, guests - you want to make sure all of the guests that you're inviting are also invited to the wedding. A couple of things you don't want to do is register for gifts - you are going to be getting gifts at the wedding so don't register for gifts for the engagement party. And also you want to keep the engagement party announcements just to the proposal and announcing that the couple is getting married. Try to keep that just the engagement party.

What style should I consider for an engagement party?

What style you consider for an engagement really depends on what kind of style you have as a couple, what your interests are, and what your wedding is going to be like. You want to have it maybe complement the wedding, but you also don't want it to take away from the big bang of the big ceremony. So have an engagement party that's a little more casual than what you're going to do for the wedding.

What sort of ambiance should I create for an engagement party?

The ambience and the mood for an engagement party should be celebratory--flowers, balloons, candles creating a comfortable mood so people can socialize. Socializing is key for engagement parties, so make it relaxing but also make it fun.

What are the best places for an engagement party?

The sky's the limit when it comes to venues for engagement parties, although it would be nice to have it in a place where socializing can take place, where it's comfortable for the guests. Those things you might not want to consider are bus tours or if you're out on the putting green, it might be difficult. But locations such as hotels, banquet rooms, people's homes, your favourite restaurant, maybe a jazz club. Those are all good locations.

What sort of invitations are best for engagement parties?

Engagement party invitations can range from fancy letter press invitations for the more formal events to an e-mail invitation you can send out. Generally, for engagement parties you do send out some sort of paper invitation or if it's a fun, casual event, you might want to send along a keepsake. For instance if you're doing a party, maybe it's a get together with beer and pizza, you might want to send out coasters. So make it a little fun.

What games or activities are best for engagement parties?

Party games and activities at engagement parties is really dictated by what type of style you have for your event. So if you're doing a picnic party, you're going to be wanting to be playing tug-of-war games, maybe, or potato sack games. any type of game that involves interaction and socializing so that people can get to know each other. Other traditional engagement parties, such as cocktail parties, they don't play any games, but they have some activities, such as toasts. And those toasts are: father of the bride usually toasts the couple, and announces the engagement, then some friends -- actually the floor is opened up, and some friends can get up and say a few words about the couple.