The Engagement Party

The newly engaged happy couple is so excited to share their good news with close family and friends.

 So it's time to plan an engagement party to announce their lifetime commitment to each other. 

Often times this engagement party serves the purpose of introducing the two families to one another.
 
Traditionally the engagement party was hosted by the parents of the bride.   However, today anyone can host the engagement party. 
The engagment party can be held at the home a close family member, at the couples favorite restaurant, or some other place that has special significance to the couple,  maybe where they had their first date or it could be a picnic at their favorite hiking spot.

Your engagement party depends on your budget and personal style. A simple or elaborate engagement party is acceptable:

• Desserts and coffee at the home of the bride parents,

• Champagne and hors d'oeuvres at the home of a best friend,

• a BBQ at the grooms brother's house

• a casual buffet at the brides sister's home, 

• a formal sit down dinner at the bride and groom's favorite local  restaurant

• or brunch hosted by the groom's parents

Those you invite to the engagement party should be friends and family very very close to you.

Invites can be a formal invitation especially designed and printed for you with reply cards, or a causal handwritten invitation.

Remember every host wants to plan an unforgettable engagement party, but never upstage the main event - the wedding.  

Try to create a theme or mood for the engagement party that maintains your own style.  If your guests perfer formal parties you don't want to force a casual cookout onto them. 

Hint;  Try the opposite of your wedding theme for your engagement party

.....if you are having a destination wedding at Walt Disney World, Las Vegas, Hawaii, Glacier National Park, New Orleans, or the Carribean balance it with a home-cooked dinner engagement party,  or if your are having a semiformal DAYTIME wedding have a swanky cocktail engagment party....ties optional,  or if you are having a formal black-tie wedding have a sit on the floor/ground engagement party. 

Be creative show your style enjoy your engaement! Congrats!!!