What Usually Happens At An Engagement Party?

An engagement party is a customary event that serves as a celebration of the couple’s engagement and serves as a way to define the wedding. It is typically smaller and more casual than weddings, with speeches, toasts, love stories, dancing, and fun questions happening at the party. The sweet spot for having an engagement party is two or three months after the proposal, based on the average engagement length of about 15 months for most couples.

To plan your engagement party, decide who should host it, whether it be the bride’s parents, anyone who feels compelled to throw this pre-wedding kickoff event, or the couple themselves. Make your guest list before starting to compile it, and consider the couple’s preferences for a small and intimate soiree or a large-scale event that includes everyone from coworkers to college friends.

The engagement party is the first in a series of social events centered around the biggest one of them all—the wedding. It is a chance for both friends and loved ones of the soon-to-be-married couple to come together and make a toast. It is important to practice good engagement party etiquette and introduce people and encourage mingling.

An engagement party can be as formal as a sophisticated dinner, cocktail evening, or black tie event, or as casual as an evening at a pub or restaurant. During the celebration, the hosts will give a little speech to thank guests for attending, and it is normal for other friends and family to share a few words.

What is the difference between an engagement party and a proposal party?

Proposal party vs engagement party: whats the difference?. An engagement party usually takes place a few months after the big proposal, providing an opportunity for the engaged couple to mark the occasion with all those who are closest to them as well as grab some great gifts. In contrast, a proposal party is hosted immediately after the proposal.

The benefits of throwing a proposal party. Fresh from the proposal and feeling super romantic as a result, many people consider the perfect time to celebrate their engagement immediately after the question has been popped. A surprise proposal party also clears up the issue of who to tell first, with all your nearest and dearest there to officially hear the announcement at the same time.

Hosting a proposal party is a great way for family and friends to get involved, without actually being involved in the proposal. This means you can have the best of both worlds – a private proposal and a very public announcement.

What is expected of guests at an engagement party?

Dont expect to receive gifts. When it comes to engagement party etiquette, dont expect your guests to bring a mountain of gifts. Some guests might come bearing presents for the happy couple, but many wont — and thats absolutely fine. Your friends and family members are there to toast to your love and celebrate you! If someone does bring an engagement gift, resist the temptation to open it at the party. Instead, save the unwrapping for a more private moment. Its all about keeping the festive vibes high and ensuring no one feels awkward about not bringing a gift.

Do register for gifts. Now, while you definitely shouldnt expect to receive anything at your engagement party, its totally okay to be proactive in creating a wedding gift wish list. Setting up a wedding registry soon after your engagement provides a few options for those who do want to shower you with love at this pre-wedding party. Make sure to include a few affordable, low- to mid-range goodies that wont break the bank. Choose items like cozy throw blankets for Netflix nights or quirky kitchen gadgets for your culinary adventures. These are perfect gift ideas for anyone wanting to get you something to mark the occasion! Pro tip: Set up your wedding website and registry with Joy to keep all of your most important wedding info all in one place.

Dont include your registry information on your invitations. Keep your engagement party invitations simple and festive with no mention of your wedding registry. This allows your guests to focus on the festivities without feeling the pressure to get you the perfect gift. Let details about your registry spread by word of mouth or simply include your wedding website on the invitations. This is a low pressure way to pass along registry info without indicating that presents are expected. Plus, sharing your website URL can offer guests a fun sneak peek of what to expect at your ceremony and wedding reception!

Who normally throws the engagement party?

The Host. Traditionally the engagement party is hosted by the brides parents, but can also be given by friends of the bride and groom, or other relatives. Yes, you can have two or more parties; one for relatives and family friends, for instance, and another for your own friends.

Type of Party. An engagement party is the start to building the bridge between families and friends, so the host should consider a setting that is comfortable and engaging. There are no hard fast rules for the style or theme, so have fun! A cocktail party, casual barbecue or formal dinner are all great options.

The traditional rules of etiquette suggest that guests invited to the engagement party should also be invited to the wedding; however, many couples are having smaller weddings or holding their ceremonies far from friends and sometimes even from family, so the engagement party, in those instance includes people who may not be invited to the wedding.

Do you congratulate a woman on her engagement?

When to Congratulate Someone on Their Engagement. The timing of when to congratulate someone on their engagement is often put into question, as some couples prefer to enjoy the initial period of the engagement on their own without all of the attention that comes with so many people knowing their big news. Thats why Maryanne Parker, etiquette expert and founder of Manor of Manners, recommends only extending best wishes if the engagement was officially revealed to you or publicly announced. If you were expecting that the couple might be getting engaged or if there is a rumor going around, congratulating them is not appropriate, she says. However, if this is confirmed officially, or if we are very close to the to-be weds and they share the happy news with us, we should congratulate them immediately.

Ways to Congratulate a Newly Engaged Couple. Once youre ready to give congratulations, follow these expert-tips for how to do so with etiquette top of mind.

Give them a call.. One of the most basic and straight-forward ways of congratulating a newly engaged couple is by calling them via audio or Facetime. This is especially ideal for couples who might live far away. Even if they dont answer, leaving a congratulatory voicemail is sure to be very much appreciated.

What is proper etiquette for engagement?

The traditional rules of etiquette dictate that guests invited to the engagement party should also be invited to the wedding. However, the guest list will likely be shorter. Often the idea is to make this a more intimate event than the wedding itself. But this is no longer the only accepted approach—times have changed! Now, since many people throw small weddings or hold their destination ceremonies far from friends and even family, the engagement party often includes people who may not be invited to the eventual nuptials. Pro tip: For a traditional party (like one given by the brides parents), both families should definitely be invited, whether or not all members will be able to attend the event.

Everyone at the party will want to have a chance to speak to the happy couple, so create a space where the bride and groom (and their respective parents!) can comfortably greet guests as they arrive.

Once the party is underway, there is also the matter of toasts. At an engagement party given by the brides parents, the etiquette regarding toasts is quite clear: First, the brides father proposes a toast to the bride and her fiancé. Then, the fiancé rises and toasts his bride-to-be and her parents, and then his own parents. At informal events hosted by friends, of course, anyone can make a toast at any time. Certainly, the engaged couple will also want to make a speech of their own before the end of the event.

What should a guest wear to an engagement party?

• Casual: This is obviously the most relaxed dress code, meaning its also pretty versatile. If the party is in the afternoon, it is generally accepted to skip the tie and keep some of the top buttons undone, Sanchez says, in regards to mens attire. For women, floral patterns evoke feelings of romance and joy, which is very fitting for the occasion. The length can be short or long, just as long as you are comfortable. Fun patterns and bright and light colors are encouraged.
• Semi-formal: Right in between casual and cocktail attire is semi-formal, which is a step above casual but not quite as dressed up as cocktail. Semi-formal can also be called dressy casual and the best way to interpret how to dress is a more formal business casual, shares Allie McKenna, New York-based wardrobe stylist and personal shopper. A more casual wrap dress is a chic choice, and a suit without a tie could also work in this scenario.
• Cocktail: Think of what your parents might have worn to work, Sanchez says. In other words, take todays business professional definition and dress it up a little. She notes that for men, ties can be optional, and you can opt for short sleeves or bring a coat or sweater. For women, dresses are again the norm, but a nice two-piece outfit could fit the occasion. Dress up the look with some elegant jewelry, Sanchez recommends.
• Formal or Black-tie optional: Most engagement parties likely wont be this formal, but on the off chance yours is, you should know what to wear. Its important to remember you can never be too over-dressed. A traditional suit and elegant dress or jumpsuit are appropriate for this dress code. McKenna notes. A tuxedo is appropriate, but a dark suit with dress pants and nice shoes is also acceptable. Similarly, a floor-length gown is always a safe bet for any formal occasion, but a midi or knee-length or cocktail dress will also work.

Season. The outfit you choose for an engagement party in the middle of the summer is probably going to be different than the one you choose for an event around Christmas time. For spring and summer, Sanchez recommends playing around with color, like pastels and brighter shades. Neutrals are always on-trend, but colorful hues are fun when the weather is warm. She also recommends lighter fabrics, especially for the summer, like linen and seersucker.

For men, socks may be optional, just consider the venue; it is okay to go sockless when wearing loafers for garden parties, Sanchez says. For women, floral patterns and lace are popular choices.

Do you bring a gift to an engagement party?

Do I Need to Bring a Gift to an Engagement Party?. You wont be barred entry if you come to an engagement party without a gift. However, some guests feel more comfortable bringing a small gift rather than showing up empty-handed. Either way, no rule says gifts are required for engagement parties.

When you consider how many other events leading up to, during, and sometimes after youll be obligated to bring a gift to, it can make sense to save your money and give the couple your presence at an engagement party.

What is Proper Engagement Gift Etiquette?. As mentioned, the happy couple often only wants you at the event and not a lavish gift. Suppose youve received an invitation to this special occasion. In that case, youre likely someone the engaged couple loves, cherishes, and desires to share the joyous moment with.

Are engagement parties a big deal?

1. To Celebrate and Acknowledge This Important Milestone. First and foremost, an engagement party is a great way to celebrate this important milestone in your relationship. Often, the moment is overlooked in light of the upcoming, big event of your wedding day. However, this was not a decision that was made lightly, and your engagement should be celebrated and acknowledged!

2. Its a Chance for Both You and Your Sweetheart to Celebrate Together. As a newly engaged couple, you and your significant other will have many opportunities to celebrate between now and the wedding day. However, from bachelor and bachelorette parties to bridal showers, you two are celebrating individually and not together as a couple. An engagement party is your chance to throw an event for the two of you to celebrate with each other and with your friends and family before the big day!

3. Its An Opportunity To Bring Family Together – Likely for the First Time!. If youre like the majority of couples, your families probably havent met each other yet. An engagement party is a great way to break the ice and help your loved ones get to know each other before the craziness of your wedding planning begins! After all, they are gaining another side of the family as well.

What are you supposed to do at an engagement party?

• Toasts and speeches: Seeing as you just decided to spend your lives together, you might want to commemorate the occasion with some toasts and speeches. Typically, you and your partner might say a few words, as well as your parents.
• Cake cutting: Although this is quite similar to that at a wedding reception, cutting and sharing a cake can be a symbolic gesture during the engagement party. This is totally optional and can feel too formal for some people.
• Gift-giving: Guests may bring gifts or tokens to celebrate the engagement. These gifts are typically smaller in scale compared to wedding gifts.
• Socialising and mingling: This is most likely the ultimate goal of an engagement party. Its the perfect opportunity to introduce people to those they might see later at the wedding. Meanwhile, it gives the couples families a chance to get to know each other better. Of course its also about having fun!
• Engagement announcement and photos: If youre not much of a public speaker, you could do a brief yet official announcement of the engagement, along with sharing some engagement photos
• perhaps printed or on a slideshow.
• Music and dancing: Depending on the atmosphere and preferences of the couple, there may be music and dancing to create a joyful ambiance.
• Food and drinks: Whether its a full meal or simply some snacks, canapés and drinks, its common at engagement parties for the couple to provide refreshments.
• Games and activities: Although its not necessary, some engagement parties incorporate games or activities to entertain guests and to create a casual and lively atmosphere.

Engagement party FAQs. Your engagement party is a chance to celebrate and share the excitement of the engagement, and its yours to design. So as you begin to plan your party, feel free to customise the event to reflect your personal style and preferences. If you are stuck however or you need a little more information about engagement party etiquette, weve got you covered in the rest of this article.

First things first – do you need to throw an engagement party?. Is an engagement party obligatory? Certainly not. Throwing an engagement party is of course not a mandatory part of the wedding process. Whether or not to have an engagement party is a personal choice that depends on your preferences, circumstances, and naturally your budget. Some reasons for not planning an engagement party might include; having a short period between engagement and wedding and having family and friends a long distance away (and preferring that they make the effort to visit for your bigger celebration!). You might also just have lofty plans for your wedding day and only enough time to plan the one event.

Are engagement parties fun?

Engagement parties are a great way to gather family and close friends together to celebrate the love that you and your partner share. Theyre also easier and cheaper to plan, making them a fun experience for most couples to host once the journey to the aisle begins. But even if planning this party is a low-stakes event for you, that doesnt mean you should skip out on activities for your guests to partake in and enjoy. Sure, its totally fine to just gather everyone together for drinks and a meal, but planning a few games is an added bonus your guests will absolutely love.

With all this in mind, and to help you plan a memorable event, we put together a list of 25 creative engagement party games and activities that will keep your guests entertained. Read on for more.

Think of this as an Easter egg hunt, but with rings! Hide plastic rings all throughout the party and ask your guests to find them. Whoever finds the most rings, wins! Dont forget to have prizes handy, like a Starbucks gift card or a miniature bottle of Champagne.

What should a woman wear to an engagement party?

Firstly, consider the location. Is the party at a rooftop bar or a restaurant? In this case, we recommend going with cocktail party attire. As a general rule, if the event is taking place at a formal venue, you should err on the side of formal outfitting. If the party is taking place in a park or at home, youll be safe with an outfit that toes the line between semi-formal and cocktail. Consider a printed midi dress or wide-leg pants, a blouse, and heels.

The time of day in which the party is taking place will also play a part in your outfit. For daytime events, colour and print are welcomed. So, if the event is a park picnic at 2:00 pm, a floaty floral maxi dress or printed skirt and cami will be perfect. For a party at an inner-city bar at 7:30 pm, wed recommend a satin slip dress in an earthy hue.

Lastly, consider the season and the weather. In warmer months, bright colours, florals, and silhouettes with ruffles will be more appropriate. For an engagement party in winter, you might like to consider opting for jewel tones and more streamlined silhouettes instead.