Traditionally, the bride’s parents plan the obligatory engagement party, but these days, anything goes. It is your wedding after all and more couples are even planning their own. So whether it’s you or a friend who organises it, just make sure it’s a fun-filled bash to remember!
Bide your time
As much as the excitement of being engaged will make you want to crack open the bubbly and throw a soiree that very night, try to wait at least a month before doing so. This will give you time to revel in your newly-engaged status and allow enough time to plan the engagement party of your dreams. An intimate family meal to mark the occasion is the perfect idea before the real celebrations begin!
Budget wisely
Have a budget for your engagement party in mind. Crunching numbers can be time consuming and boring, but having a budget in mind will narrow down your options as to the type of event you can actually afford. Plus, you have a big, expensive dream wedding to save for now, so conserve the cash to splurge on that instead!
Choose your venue
Pick a venue which suits the formality of the event. For example, choosing a garden/house/local pub as the venue, would suggest a casual wedding event, whereas a country club or hotel rooftop choice would suggest otherwise. Whatever you decide upon, you don’t want to upstage the actual wedding day so keep all of your greatest ideas for then!
Scrutinise your guest list
When sending out the invitations, really scrutinise your guest list. It’s traditionally assumed whoever is invited to the engagement bash would naturally be attending the wedding day so be frugal with your list and keep the numbers down if necessary. Choose e-invites for a casual affair whereas paper invites are more suited to a formal party. As always, leave guests with plenty of notice!
Choose an engagement party theme
Decide on a theme which will carry on into the actual wedding day. Use the engagement party décor and menu as a trial run as to what works or what doesn’t work as a theme. Above all, have a fabulous time.
- Michelle Storey
Image credits: Champagne: Calligraphy by Jennifer | Bridesmaids: Happy Wedd | Venue: Ballymagarvey Village | Invitation: Pinterest | Engagement party: Our Labor of Love via Ruffled