How to Plan an Engagement Party

He asked and you said yes, now the fun can begin. As you’ll soon realize (if you haven’t already) planning a wedding involves a lot of work, organization and decision making. Fortunately for you, many people will help you handle the wedding plans along the way, like your mother or Maid of Honor. However, the responsibility of planning the engagement party may land on your shoulders. With the steps below, whether you’re the bride or the parents of the bride, you’ll be able to plan this special uniting event that is called for with grace and ease.

Things You'll Need

• Budget
• List of venues
• Guest list

Instructions

1. First, set a budget. Knowing how much you can spend will affect everything.

2. Decide who will be invited. Often the engagement party is composed of the key “wedding players” from both the groom and bride’s side. This includes the bridal party, close relatives and any one else who may have an important role in your wedding (i.e. speakers, vocalists, close friends). Ask the groom, bride and any other key wedding party members (specifically those who will be paying for the event) to create a list of people they want invited. The more limited the individual lists are, the better.

3. Combine all lists and determine what names show up on all versions. Discuss who should be added as well as who should be dismissed as attendees.

4. Find the venue. Much like the wedding reception venue, the engagement party venue must be able to comfortably house your guests. Keep in mind that the engagement party is often going to be the first event which will set the vibe for your coming wedding. In other words, if you’re planning on having a laid-back wedding, consider a backyard picnic for your engagement party. If you’re having a destination wedding, perhaps visit your local beach or plan an adventurous group activity like whitewater rafting. For those who want to host a formal wedding consider choosing a venue like your local country club.

5. Prepare and send out the invitations. Just as your venue will convey a vibe of what’s to come on the big day, so will the invitations.Keep in mind what the wedding invitations will look like and tone it down a notch. For example, if for the big day the invitations will include a specially designed monogram on heavy paper made especially for the happy couple, then consider using the monogram but printing them out on a less expensive formal paper that you can run through your own computer printer. Likewise, if the wedding day invitations are set to be more casual, then buy your invitations at a local store where you may find something fun and festive but certainly not expensive.

6. Run through the day in your mind and make a list of everything you need. Some engagement parties are loaded with games, group sports, trays of a wide arrangement of food, etc. Others are kept low key with a potluck theme or even just a simple family style meal.

7. Begin shopping. Hit your local stores for decorations, food, sports paraphernalia, etc. so that when the big day arrives, you as the host can enjoy the party just as much as the guests.

Resources

• Engagement Parties: 5 Glam Get-Togethers
• Engagement Party Invitations