Planning The Perfect Engagement Party: A Step-By-Step Guide

Planning an engagement party is a great way to celebrate your proposal and kick off the festivities before your wedding day. It's a chance to revel in your newly engaged status and share the excitement with your loved ones. When creating your guest list, it's customary to invite everyone you plan to celebrate your wedding with, but you can also have multiple engagement parties to suit different groups of friends and family. It's important to pick a date that doesn't conflict with other major events or busy times of the year, and to consider whether you want to combine your engagement party with another celebration, such as a holiday or birthday. You'll also need to decide on a location and whether you'll be serving food, as well as any gifts you'd like to receive.

Guest list: usually, whoever is invited to the engagement party is also invited to the wedding

When it comes to planning your wedding engagement party, it's important to consider the guest list. Usually, whoever is invited to the engagement party is also invited to the wedding. So, when creating your guest list, work backward by adding everyone you'd like to see on the big day.

It's also worth noting that it's customary for guests to bring a gift for the happy couple, so registering early will ensure that guests can shop for, and the couple will receive, gifts that they truly want.

If you're planning the engagement party yourself, it's a good idea to wait a few weeks before jumping into the details. This gives you time to envision the guest list size, style, and location of your wedding, which can influence the decisions surrounding the engagement party.

You can plan an engagement party completely separate from your upcoming wedding, so there's no need to have any wedding details nailed down before you host. However, it would be nice to share those details with guests when they ask. Doing this often works best for couples who don't live in the same city as most of their wedding guests and will only be in town for a short time.

If you're throwing the engagement party at a restaurant, work with the event staff to create a menu that fits your budget. If you're partying at home, decide whether you're up to the challenge of cooking the food yourself or whether you'll need to hire a caterer, based on the extravagance and size of the menu.

Date: pick a date that doesn't conflict with other major events or busy times of the year

When planning a wedding engagement party, it's important to pick a date that doesn't conflict with other major events or busy times of the year. Try to avoid dates that fall on holidays where people have plans to be with family, such as Christmas, Thanksgiving and Valentine's Day. If you're planning the party yourself, take some time to revel in your newly engaged status and absorb the fact that you're getting married before you jump into the details. Waiting a few weeks will also give you time to envision the guest list size, style and location of your wedding, which could influence the decisions surrounding the engagement party.

If you're getting together with friends and family for another holiday or your birthday, you can combine both celebrations. This often works best for couples who don't live in the same city as most of their wedding guests and will only be in town for a short time.

Location: if you're throwing the party at a restaurant, work with the staff to create a menu that fits your budget

If you're throwing your engagement party at a restaurant, it's important to work with the staff to create a menu that fits your budget. Communicate your budget to the restaurant staff and ask for their recommendations on dishes that will work within that price range. Consider the size of your guest list and whether you want to offer a set menu or a buffet. If you opt for a set menu, choose a few options for each course to cater to different dietary requirements and preferences.

When creating the menu, think about the time of day your party will be held and the type of cuisine you'd like to serve. For example, if your party is in the afternoon, you might want to offer a lighter menu with salads, sandwiches, and finger foods. If it's an evening party, you could go for a more formal sit-down dinner with multiple courses.

Be mindful of any dietary restrictions or allergies among your guests and ensure the restaurant can accommodate these needs. It's also a good idea to ask the restaurant about their beverage options and whether they have a corkage fee if you plan to bring your own wine or champagne.

To make the planning process smoother, provide the restaurant with as much information as possible about your vision for the party, including any themes or decorations you plan to use. This will help them understand your budget and create a menu that aligns with your expectations.

Remember, the key to a successful engagement party is to enjoy the process and celebrate this special time with your loved ones.

Gifts: it's customary for guests to bring a gift for the couple, so registering early will ensure they receive gifts they want

It is customary for guests to bring a gift for the couple, so registering early will ensure they receive gifts they want. It is a good idea to set up a wedding registry before sending out the invitations. This will give guests plenty of time to shop for gifts and ensure the couple receives gifts they truly want.

If you are planning an engagement party, it is a good opportunity to combine it with another celebration, such as a holiday or birthday, especially if you don't live in the same city as most of your wedding guests. You can also have more than one engagement party – an intimate celebration with family and a more informal party with friends.

When creating your guest list, work backwards by adding everyone you'd like to see on your wedding day. It is also important to pick a date that doesn't conflict with other major events or busy times of the year.

Food: decide whether you will cook the food yourself or hire a caterer, based on the extravagance and size of the menu

Planning an engagement party is an exciting time, and food is a key part of the event. If you're throwing the engagement party at a restaurant, work with the event staff to create a menu that fits your budget. If you're partying at home, decide whether you are up to the challenge of cooking the party food yourself or whether you'll need to hire a caterer. This decision should be based on the extravagance and size of the menu.

If you're planning on cooking the food yourself, you'll need to consider the time and effort required to prepare and cook the food, as well as the cost of ingredients. You'll also need to think about how you'll manage the food preparation on the day, especially if you're expecting a large number of guests. It's important to be realistic about what you can achieve and whether you'll have enough time to enjoy the party yourself.

If you decide to hire a caterer, you'll need to consider your budget and find a caterer who can work within it. Discuss your requirements with the caterer and be clear about your expectations, including the number of guests, the type of food you want, and any specific dietary requirements. Ask for references from previous clients and taste the food before making a final decision.

The size and extravagance of the menu will also impact your decision. A simple menu with a limited number of dishes may be more manageable if you're cooking yourself, while a more elaborate menu with multiple courses or specialised dishes may be better suited to a caterer. Consider the time and resources required to prepare and serve the food, as well as the overall impact you want to create with the food presentation and flavour.

Frequently asked questions