Planning Your Engagement Party

Planning your engagement party:

Who should host your engagement party?
Traditionally, the parents of the bride host, but today there aren't hard and fast rules. The bride and groom can host it themselves, or a friend or other family member can undertake the hosting duties.

What kind of event should it be?
This depends on your budget and personal style. It can be a formal affair with printed invitations and reply cards, a casual backyard event, or anything in between. A cocktail party with hors d'oeuvres is always a safe bet.

Who should be invited to your engagement party?
You'll definitely want to invite your families so they can get to know one another. It's bad etiquette to invite anyone other than those who will definitely be invited to the wedding, so it's probably best to limit the guest list to those very close to you. Typically, guests who would have to travel are not invited, as you will already be asking them to travel for the wedding. (The exception to this rule would be the parents of the bride or groom).

When should you hold your engagement party?
For those with especially long engagements, engagement parties are held one to three months after the engagement, and/or about a year before the wedding. For others it can be held any time more than six months before the wedding.

Should you expect gifts and register for them?
You shouldn't expect gifts as etiquette does not dictate that guests should bring them. But the announcement of an engagement inevitably gets some guests thinking about gifts, and this is a time that they might start asking your family if you are registered or they will give you a card with a check. Some of your guests will bring present to the party. Therefore it's a good idea to have registered for a few things before sending the invitations. However, as not everyone will bring something, don't make the gifts a central part of the party. Put them aside, and open them after the guests have left. Don't forget to send to always send thank you notes!

What Should you wear?
Remember, this is an engagement party, not the actual wedding, a very pretty cocktail dress can look appropriate and elegant.

Do I introduce my wedding party?
If you have your wedding party chosen, then yes you may introduce them to your guest.

From your,
Event Specialists