NYC Engagement Party Ideas
Planning an engagement party in New York City can sound complicated, but broken down into tasks, it can be just as feasible as any location. Some of the most important and most often considered aspects of planning an engagement party include: selecting a location, invitations, décor, food, and photography. These basic ideas are relevant for the bride planning an affordable, budget-friendly affair all the way to a bride planning an elaborate, no-expenses-spared event. Does this Spark an idea?
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Location
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Once the guest list is relatively finalized, the engaged couple should choose a location, one that will accommodate the numbers of guests as well as match the feel they want to create. A park pavilion, a hotel ballroom, a church rectory, a funky loft, a rooftop garden---New York City has no end to fun, unique venues. The key to finding these is to ask friends where they have attended parties, read New York City wedding blogs, and search the Internet. It is likely that any space can serve as a party venue.
Invitations
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Ideally, invitations match the style of the venue, which matches the couple's personality. Engagement party invitations do not have to be as formal as the wedding invitations. They can be whimsical, homemade, postcards, a photograph that has text added in Photoshop, an E-vite, or even a typical card. Invitations can be ordered from local stationery stores or from online retailers such as PsPrint, VistaPrint, or Wedding Paper Divas.
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Decor
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The diverse neighborhoods of New York City provide excellent opportunities for creative party décor. Street fairs, craft exhibits, flea markets, and antique stores are good places to start looking for one-of-a-kind decorations. The Hell's Kitchen Flea Market, open on Saturdays and Sundays, is a famous flea market open year round and will likely have good finds.
Food
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Feeding guests at a party is often where most of the budget is spent, mostly because food is expensive. A word of caution: Some venues require that parties use their specified caterers. Some do not allow alcohol. Parks have certain restrictions on barbecuing. It is important to always acquire the proper permits, particularly if the couple is not hiring a caterer, but rather enlisting the help of family and friends. The couple should come up with a list of venues and caterers in order to see which will mesh well with budget and food packages.
Photography
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Hiring professional photographers for engagement party photography is not as commonplace as hiring professionals for the wedding day. However, some couples do choose to have their party documented in full. For a budget-friendly photo shoot, hiring a photography student from one of the local schools in New York City can be just as good as professionals, which are of no shortage in the city. It is essential to look at samples of the photographer's work in order to judge the quality and style of his work.
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