How to Host an Engagement Party

If you decide to host an engagement party, you have a tough, but fun, task ahead of you. Hosting an engagement party takes planning, especially if you want the party to go smoothly. It may be your engagement party, but you want family members to get along with your fiance or fiancee and his or her family...and in order to do that, you have to take some major steps to ensure a successful engagement party.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Plan the logistics of your engagement party. Would you like to have something simple, like a backyard barbecue? Or, would you prefer someplace like a VFW? Choose your location, as well as a date and time for your engagement party.

2. Plan your guest list. This will vary, depending on the goal of your engagement party. Below are some possible types of invitation lists for your engagement party:
   
   The family only list. This is good if the goal of your engagement party is to create a meeting and / or celebration for your family and the family of your husband or wife to be. Keeping it strictly family will allow the two groups to mingle and form relationships with each other.
   
   The friends and family list. This list is best if you just want, well, a party. Invite everyone that you know and love, and let the fun begin!
   
   The intimate gathering. This kind of event is great if you want to bring your close loved ones and friends together to enjoy a good time and celebrate your engagement.

3. Send out invitations for your engagement party. Keep in mind, this is a great way to get everyone to give you their addresses now, so you won't have to scramble for addresses as you send out your wedding invitations. You can send an online invitation for this party, but that's tough because you probably have at least one friend or family member who is less than internet savvy.
   
   If you really want engagement gifts, register at a store or website, and include the registry information in your party invitation. Or, if you don't think it's fair to ask for a gift (since you'll be getting bridal shower and wedding gifts later), write something like "Your presence is the only present I need" on the invitation.

4. Set a budget for your engagement party, and be ready to stick to it. It's easy to want to splurge on food and decorations, but keep in mind, you have an upcoming wedding to pay for. Keep it minimal. The wedding is the real event, so this does not have to be extravagant.

5. Recruit members of your family or bridal party (if you've chosen already) to help you set up on the day of your engagement party. Tell them to consider it practice for bigger events that will be coming up shortly!

6. Make or buy party favors to give to engagement party guests. These should not be extravagant - candy is a great choice because many people love candy. It's nice to give people something as they leave. It does not have to be expensive to be special.

7. Arrange for photos to be taken by friends and family at the engagement party. These photos will be great to show on a collage at the wedding. This way, you can skip the expensive engagement photos in favor of photos taken by friends and family.

8. At the engagement party, get everyone's attention and introduce your wedding party, if you've chosen the lucky few. These people are going to be helping you a whole lot - the least you can offer is some fun recognition.
   
   You can also introduce your parents and others who are significant in your life. Keep in mind, your future husband or wife's family may not know your family, so introductions can be very helpful.

9. Sit back and enjoy the party as it happens. Yes, you put a lot of planning into it, but the idea of the party is to celebrate. Let someone else cook and clean up - you and your significant other need to enjoy your party!

10. Send out thank you notes to everyone who attended your engagement party. This may be tedious, but it is proper etiquette to send out those pesky cards. So, do it! People will appreciate it, especially if you write something heartfelt about how much you appreciated their attendance.

[femwriter]

on 9/28/2009 Great tips on how to host an engagement party. Thanks for writing this article. 5* plus recommendation!