She Said YES! Engagement Party Tips
Few moments compare to the excitement and thrill of announcing an engagement. Becoming engaged is a huge step toward a lifelong commitment, filled with hopes, dreams and possibility. It is an event that should be shared with loved ones. Throwing an engagement party is a great way to honor the occasion.
An engagement party may be hosted by anyone, but typically the bride’s parents are the hosts. Other family members or close friends may also choose to host a party. Typically, the guest list is reserved to family and close friends of the bride and groom (and their respective families). Guests to the engagement party should be on the “short list” for the wedding. Depending on the type of gathering, the guest list may be small or more inclusive. A sit-down dinner will obviously have a shorter guest list than an open house-style or reception-style party.
A date should be chosen that is good for the guests of honor and the families. The sooner after the engagement is “official”, the better, especially if it is to be a secret until the party. Who wants to keep a secret for months? And, choose a venue that works well with the style of party. Many engagement parties are held in the bride’s parents’ home or backyard. A nice restaurant, a museum, or even an outdoor location such as a park make excellent location choices.
Be sure to create a budget, and include such costs as invitations (and postage), food, drink, entertainment and decor. The size of the budget will be determined by the number of guests expected and the type of party that will be thrown. A sit-down meal is typically going to cost more in the food budget than a reception-style party.
Send out invitations as soon as possible, especially if the event is to be an “announcement” for the engaged couple. Coordinate the invitations with the overall decor of the event. If the party is to be at an unusual location, such as the beach, at a historic landmark or other, coordinate the invitations with it to tie it all together.
Food for an engagement party is fairly open. If the party is a come-and-go or cocktail party, serve finger foods and hors d’oeuvres. Drinks should be varied and of high quality. If serving wine or beer, be sure to serve only top-quality beverages. Consider hiring a bartender for larger events. For a sit-down meal, either prepare the food on site or hire someone to prepare it. While hiring a cook or caterer will increase the budget, it will also free up the hosts to be involved in the party without having to worry about the behind-the-scenes details.
Entertainment at an engagement party can be as simple as recorded music on a sound system or as elaborate as hired musicians or a band. Be sure that if background music is used, that it is exactly that: background music. Allow time at the party for toasts, especially from the bride’s father and followed by the groom. Toasting usually occurs about two-thirds of the way through the event. Anyone may toast, but be sure the father of the bride and the groom go first.
