February 2024

Statistics Surrounding Modern Canadian Weddings

Tying the knot is a very exciting chapter in the love story you are creating with your partner. Still, it can prove helpful to take a closer look at whether or not your event reflects current wedding trends. From the median age of a couple when they decide to get married to the traditions surrounding surnames, Canadian wedding trends fluctuate from one year to the next. Take a look at these statistics surrounding modern weddings and learn a bit more about the evolution of marriage in Canada over recent decades.   

Waiting To Wed

In the 1980s, the average age for a person to get married in Canada was 23. Over the last few decades, however, people have been waiting long periods before making the decision to walk down the aisle. Some experts believe this is due to younger individuals putting a heavier focus on their careers. Others attribute the delay to the rising costs of living and how expensive it has become to start a family. Regardless of the exact reason, the median age for a person to wed in Canada has shifted to 31 as of 2022. 

Breaking With Tradition

Modern couples often like to break with traditions that no longer suit them. A great example of this can be found in brides who decide to keep their own last names after getting married. In the 1970s, almost all Canadian women who tied the knot changed their surnames. According to polls taken in 2019, this number has shifted a considerable amount. Roughly 40% of women who get married nowadays opt not to fully change their names. Of this percentage, about half decide to hyphenate their last names in order to incorporate their married names. 

Setting Statistics Aside

As of 2023, about 36 countries across the world have legalized same-sex marriage. While this trend highlights how accepting people around the planet have become of LGBT relationships, it is important to note that Canada was one of the first countries to make this decision. Same-sex marriage was officially legalized in Canada on July 20, 2005, after the Civil Marriage Act was passed. While this act made same-sex marriages legal nationwide, certain provinces had legalized these unions earlier. Provinces that passed marriage equality laws in 2004 include Quebec, Yukon, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan, and Newfoundland.

Opting for Winter Engagements

There is no “right” time of year to get engaged. As long as you and your partner are on the same page, the decision to get married can be a great choice. Still, some studies have shown that a majority of Canadian couples prefer to pop the question during the same period. According to a number of reports, a large chunk of couples make the decision to get engaged between December and February. While they may prefer winter engagements, most couples wind up hosting their weddings during the spring and summer. 

Sharing Space First

Several decades ago, it was commonplace for couples to live separately until they officially tied the knot. This is a trend that has shifted dramatically in recent years. According to national stats, roughly 75% of couples decide to live together before making the decision to get married. Many couples opt to move in together before marriage in order to see how well their relationships fare when they’re sharing a space. If you wait until you’re married to live with your partner, you might discover that the two of you have very different ideas on cohabitation. 

Ignoring Statistics & Following Your Own Path

While it can be helpful to take a look at statistics now and again, it is important to remember that your wedding does not need to follow any specific rules or trends. As long as you and your partner are happy with the decisions you have made, everything else will fall into place. 

What Canadian Couples Should Know About Credit

When a couple decides to marry, usually there’s an understanding they’ll be sharing things moving forward. This is true for couples in Canada and all over the world. Many newlyweds will share a last name, a primary address, several monthly expenses, and finances.

While these are all important elements in a marriage, finances can be very complicated. Sharing finances should lead to conversations about income, assets, debts, bank accounts, and credit histories, among others. Here’s what engaged and seriously dating couples should know about credit.

What Is Credit?

Generally, the term “credit” refers to a person’s creditworthiness or history as a borrower. This record is often expressed as a number or code, typically called a credit score. This score is based on your debt history and provides insight to lenders on the likelihood of you repaying debt on time. Credit scores not only impact your ability to secure loans or credit cards, but they can also affect employment opportunities sometimes.

What Does a Score Say?

In Canada, an individual’s credit rating is alphanumeric. A number ranging from 1 to 9 indicates your payment track record. A “1” means the person always pays their bills within 30 days of the due date. A “9” means the person never pays their bills. A “0” means the person has no credit history. Letters indicate the type of debt a borrower has:

  • I – This is an installment loan where the borrower makes fixed payments on a regular schedule until an established date. Think of a mortgage or a loan for college.
  • O – This is an open credit account where a balance must be repaid in full after a certain period. Certain charge cards (as opposed to credit cards) work this way.
  • R – This refers to revolving credit, such as credit cards, where the balance and repayment vary.

The type of debt you incur also matters to anyone reviewing your history as a borrower.

Do Married Couples Share Scores?

When two become one in marriage, their histories (and scores) do not merge. Your history is your own, and the same is true for your partner. Should you choose to open an account together or secure a loan together, lenders will review both histories. That shared account will also show up on both of your records. It’s important to discuss current debt and attitudes toward borrowing in advance.

Does Bad Credit Impact My Partner?

The good news is that having a spouse with bad credit doesn’t lower yours by marriage or association. Getting married doesn’t do anything for or against your rating. Joint debt will show up on both reports. Potential lenders will review both your and your partner’s histories if you’re applying for a loan together. If you add your partner as an authorized user to one or more accounts (or vice versa), those accounts will be a part of both histories.

Do Name Changes Impact My Score?

Taking on your spouse’s last name, hyphenating names, or choosing a new name doesn’t impact your score. It doesn’t reset your borrower history. You can initiate a name change with credit reporting bureaus by formally contacting them. Your reports may also update as you register a name change with existing accounts. 

What About Disputes?

If a report shows inaccurate information, you can formally dispute it with credit reporting bureaus. This is true for individual debt and shared debt. Because your and your partner’s credit records are separate, clearing up a dispute on shared debt does not automatically clear it for both you and your partner.

Finances are a complex subject for dating, engaged, and married couples. It’s important to be up on all the facts before you and your significant other decide to make joint purchases and take on debt. Your individual credit histories can’t automatically impact your shared financial future, but they may provide critical insights sooner than later.

Getting Guests To Unplug at Your Wedding

Many people have a problem giving up their devices, even for a solemn occasion like a wedding. An unplugged wedding is one in which the guests are asked not to have their phones out at all. It’s not about putting phones on silent or turning off the flash on their cameras. Guests are requested to put their phones away completely.

Even though device-free weddings are on trend, asking your friends and family to go without their phones for just a few hours can be controversial. Here are some things to consider if you’d like to have an unplugged wedding.

Decide How Much of Your Wedding You Want Technology-Free

Before you tell guests that you want a device-free wedding, make sure you and your partner are on the same page. Do you want both the ceremony and reception free of phones? Many couples ask that the ceremony be device free while allowing phones at the reception, provided that guests respect the professional photographer when getting those special moments, like cutting the cake or the first dance.

Present the Positives of Unplugging

Smartphones today are almost necessary, so getting guests to buy into your unplugged wedding will take some delicate footwork. Starting with your invitations, tell your guests that you’d like them to enjoy the ceremony without distractions from their phones. You want your guests to be present and in the moment.

You’ll need to repeat this multiple times through your wedding communications, from the save the date, on your website and at the venue itself. Have the officiant mention it during the welcome speech, too. This figure of authority can be more impactful than signs. 

How Do You Enforce an Unplugged Wedding?

You’re going to have to deal with guests who think they’re exempt from the no-device rule. Plan on taking a gracious approach, not a confrontational one. Give guests a station where phones can be safely stored during the ceremony. Don’t make this mandatory, but give options. Have one or two ushers who are comfortable asking guests to put their phones away if a guest sneaks them out to take a selfie.

Don’t threaten to take phones away. You hope your guests will want to support an unplugged wedding because it can be a refreshing moment where they can slow down. Going into punishment mode will put people on the defensive, which will take away the moment.

Are There Disadvantages to an Unplugged Wedding?

Before you completely unplug, consider another side. Guests like to take photos of events to remember for themselves. You may get copies of all your photos from the photographer, but most guests won’t have that option. In addition, you won’t get to see your wedding through the guest’s eyes.

Your guests may want pictures of family and friends they only get to see occasionally, and your photographer won’t be able to be everywhere. During the reception, guests can help take pictures of the fun stuff you might otherwise miss. While it’s nice to unplug for a while, getting those candid shots the photographer might miss is a good reason for guests to have their devices during the reception.

Be Gracious and Find Balance

There’s nothing wrong with wanting an unplugged wedding ceremony. Putting phones down can help your guests connect with you and your other guests. Expect pushback but stay confident in your decision; have polite answers that affirm your choice of an unplugged wedding. Give guests the opportunity to take photos with the bridal party and their friends and family.

Your wedding can be more intimate when your guests unplug during the ceremony. Ask your guests to “hold the phone” to be present for your wedding.

How the Religious Scene Is Shifting in Canada

The fabric of daily life for most people in Canada has long included some spiritual elements. However, recent Pew Studies have highlighted a few key details suggesting that traditional religious beliefs are not as important as they were to previous generations. To gain some perspective on this, it can be useful to look at some of the biggest shifts that have taken place in the last few years. Review these statistics and learn the how and why of Canada’s current religious landscape. 

Immigration and Population Changes

Canada has long been a nation that has welcomed immigrants from all over the world. From refugees looking for a more stable place to raise families to those simply seeking to reap the many advantages Canadian citizenship can offer, roughly 300,000 people from every corner of the globe immigrate to the country each year. As these numbers continue to grow, Canada has seen significant population increases in various religious groups. In the last decade, about 50% of immigrants to Canada come from the Middle East and Asia. For this reason, groups like Buddhists, Hindus, and Muslims have grown.  

However, people are also leaving Canada in consistent numbers. Reports state that about 25,000 Canadians emigrate to other countries annually. As this occurs, existing populations of those who follow different Christian beliefs have gone down. While Christianity is still the dominant religion of the country, these changes have seen the number lower significantly in a short amount of time. 

Religion Has Less of an Impact 

While the religious scene in Canada is becoming more diverse, the role of religion has become less important in many ways to citizens. Another study released by the Pew Research Center revealed that younger generations are not connecting to organized religion as much. Though many individuals may still identify as belonging to a particular religious group, a majority do not believe that religion has much of an influence on their routines. Younger generations are also adamant about keeping religion out of government affairs, whereas previous generations were more divided on the matter. 

Personal Prayer Is More Important Than Religious Gatherings

There are a number of metrics that can be used when determining whether a person is actively involved with a religious group. However, younger Canadians are less inclined to take part in community activities. Daily or weekly worship, for example, has much less of an impact on this demographic than prayer. According to recent research, about 60% of all Canadians admit to praying on some type of regular basis. Conversely, only about 50% of the population attends worship services throughout the year.

Where You Live Dictates Your Religious Beliefs

Location has always impacted a person’s religious beliefs. However, reports from the last few years show that people of similar mindsets tend to move to certain regions of Canada. Census data has highlighted that Western Canada is populated by a large number of individuals who consider themselves non-religious. About 45% of citizens in this region consider themselves atheists, agnostics, or disinterested in the topic of religion altogether. On the other hand, cities like Quebec tend to have the strongest and most consistent population of people who identify as Roman Catholic. 

People Are Fine With Other People’s Beliefs

International news is filled with plenty of stories about religious intolerance of all degrees. Though Canada is not without its fair share of incidents, studies have pointed out that the country is largely welcoming of other people’s beliefs. Though this will always vary from person to person, the country is routinely ranked as one of the best places to live for those who wish to practice their religion freely and without stigma.

Religion has always had some type of influence on life in Canada. To gain an understanding of how people will feel in the future, it can be helpful to review recent statistics and learn more about the “why” of it all.

Tips for Planning a Pet-Friendly Wedding

Modern couples often want to include their fur baby in their wedding, but doing so is more challenging than simply bringing your pet to the ceremony and reception. You must consider several factors to ensure your pet-friendly wedding is as joyous and stress-free as possible for everyone involved.

Choose the Best Role for Your Pet

Consider your pet’s personality and style to find a role for it in the wedding. If you have an especially active pet, you could let him greet visitors to use up some of his energy. A couch potato may be better suited to walking down the aisle with you to her favorite pillow so she can nap during the ceremony.

If you want your pet to wear a special outfit during the wedding, practice putting it on ahead of time. If you have a shy pet or reactive dog, think about other roles that may be less stressful for your companion. For example, your fur baby could star in your engagement photos or invitations.

Hire a Pet Sitter

Before you plan to bring your pet, check with the venue to see if it’s pet friendly. Make sure you know the rules at each venue about what’s expected of your pet. Once you’re sure you want to include your animal, hire a pet sitter for the day. You and your wedding party are going to be busy. Don’t rely on them to take care of your pet.

Give your pet time to get to know the sitter before the big day. Also, ask your venue if there is a space where your pet can rest if things get overwhelming, or make arrangements for your sitter to take your animal back to the hotel or your home.

Make Your Guests Aware Of Your Pet

If you’re planning on bringing your pet to the wedding, you should alert guests because many people have allergies. This gives guests a chance to prepare by taking allergy medicine or to decline the invitation. Also, you should note whether other pets are welcome at the wedding or not. Mention it ahead of time so there are no questions or surprises.

Talk to Your Vendors

Let your wedding photographer know your pet is part of your wedding party. This can help the photo team set up the right angles to get your pet in the pictures.

Talk to the florist about your bouquet and floral arrangements, which should not include plants that are poisonous to your pet. For example, lilies are very toxic to cats, and some are toxic to dogs.

If you think your dog will be at the reception, you should alert the band or DJ and tell your caterer that a dog will be on-site. Communication before the event will help things go much smoother.

Pack Supplies for the Big Day 

You’ll want to make sure to have plenty of food, water and treats for your pet on your wedding day. Pack the pet’s food bowl and water dish to give him a sense of normalcy. Don’t forget to include a couple of favorite toys, plenty of waste bags and a pillow or dog bed. It might even be good to include a towel or puppy pads for accidents. And a lint roller for pet hair is an absolute must.

Having your best four-legged friend in your wedding party can make your day special, but you’ll want to practice with your pet beforehand. Let your pet get familiar with the space before the big day so he isn’t stressed out. Have a plan B in case things don’t go how you want, and you’ll still be able to have the wedding of your dreams. 

How To Include Friends on Your Big Day Without a Wedding Party

Having a lot of friends can be both a blessing and a curse while you’re planning your wedding. The more people you want to have a role in the festivities, the more complicated it becomes to have a wedding party of a sensible size. One way around this is by ditching the idea of bridesmaids and groomsmen altogether. Instead, there are plenty of other ways to include your loved ones during the ceremony and reception. Consider these alternatives and discover useful ideas for giving everyone a part to play.

Ask for Assistance With Preliminary Events

Typically, members of the wedding party are responsible for planning preliminary gatherings like the engagement party and the bachelor or bachelorette parties. Even though you’re opting to forego the traditional wedding party, you can still ask your close friends and family members to help you with certain precursory affairs. You should remain mindful of the costs of planning, however. Offer to pay for the parties, and be sure to purchase small gifts as a way of showing your gratitude to those who dedicated time and effort to putting together these events.  

Give Them Something To Read

Another great way to include your loved ones on your big day is by asking some of them to do readings during the ceremony. Whether you follow a traditional religious format or select texts that hold a special significance to your heart, this is a perfect way to show people you care about that you want them involved in your event. Be mindful of whether the people you ask are comfortable with public speaking. If certain people have a fear of talking in front of groups, it is best to find another task for them. 

Have Friends Give Speeches

You can also ask friends and family to give speeches during the reception. Traditionally, the best man and maid of honor deliver toasts over the course of the festivities. If you aren’t having anyone fill these roles, then you can feel free to ask anyone you’d like to say a few words. The more people you ask to speak, the shorter you need to make the speeches. Guests tend to become restless when people talk for too long, so be sure to ask only people who you know will be able to deliver succinct and sentimental toasts. 

Delegate Important Tasks

Throughout the course of your wedding, there are some tasks that need to be handled by individuals who are competent and trustworthy. If you want to make the people you care about feel included, consider asking them to take on these responsibilities. For example, you may need people to usher guests to their seats before the ceremony begins. You may also need a person or two to coordinate with the caterers and other vendors to ensure your big day follows a tight schedule. Asking responsible friends to fill these roles can offer you peace of mind. 

Include Your Friends in Photos

Finally, consider including specific loved ones in your wedding photos as a way of making them feel involved. However, don’t wait until the last minute to make this decision. Inform all of the people you want in your photos of your plan before the big day arrives. This is important because you don’t want people to wander off or get too drunk before you have the opportunity to get them in a picture. It can also be helpful to give a list of names to the photographer so that he or she can ensure everyone is present.

Though it might be traditional, there is no rule stating you must have a wedding party. If you still want your loved ones to feel included, there are plenty of alternatives that will make them feel special on your big day. 

Engagement Ring Colors and Their Meanings

Selecting the perfect ring has long proven a challenge for couples looking to take the next step in their relationships. While factors like price and style may influence your decision, you might also find it interesting to learn more about gemstones. The color of the rock in an engagement ring can signify many different ideas. If you want to have some more fun while picking a ring, take a look at these common stones and what their colors say about your love.

The Classic White Diamond ring

To kick the list off, consider the classic white diamond. Once popular because of its rarity, this type of stone is actually now the most common gem found in engagement jewelry. This has led many couples to shy away from white diamonds and turn to more exciting and unique options. If you still think this is the perfect fit for you, then remember that diamonds are meant to signify strength. Just as diamond is one of the most durable materials found on the planet, so will your relationship withstand whatever is thrown at it.

The Alternative Diamond Shades

Since white diamonds are seen as too traditional by many modern couples, colored diamonds have taken off in popularity. Those with a golden hue, which are sometimes referred to as champagne diamonds, are said to represent the effervescent, joyous side of relationships. Pink options are also a nice choice, the soft color symbolizing romance and imagination. Finally, yellow diamonds are a stone connected with excitement. Choosing a gem in this shade means your years will be filled with wonderful surprises. These are just a few colors available, with each representing a unique facet of your love story.

The Shades of Blue ring

If you want to forego the standard diamond option, there are troves of other stones worth your time. Those who have a preference for blue may want to think about aquamarine. The color of this stone captures the cool tone of ocean waters and represents the fluidity of love as it changes over time. Blue sapphires are also a great choice, their bold appearance being the prime option for celebrities and royalty alike. Though a bit more of a deep purple than blue, tanzanite is an appealing option that represents the magic of your love.

The Red Hot

In contrast to the cool-blue tones, stones in red offer a chance to really make a statement. Rubies are a perfect pick for those looking to capture the passion of a relationship. Along the same lines is the almandine garnet. While this gem also represents passion, the deep-red hue of the stone symbolizes the serenity that can be found in a long-term partnership. Though more pink than red, morganite is a great pick for a couple looking to capture the whimsical aspect of love. 

The Rest of the Rainbow

Gemstones come in every shade you can imagine, meaning that it can be difficult to cover all the options available to you in one list. Some popular choices to consider include emerald, the deep green said to symbolize good fortune and wealth. The sparkling orange of citrine can also offer a fetching look, the color representing the shining and nourishing light that marriage can bring. If you want to capture all of the colors of the rainbow in a single stone, the iridescent opal is a perfect fit that represents the couple’s desire and beauty. 

From the durability of classic white diamond to the unique shimmer of opal, there are countless colors to consider when it comes to your engagement ring. While not the most important factor to consider, selecting your gemstone based around color can add a touch of personal significance. Explore your options and proudly wear a ring that is undeniably you.

Quebec’s Education Minister Cracks Down on Religious Students

Secularism is an important aspect of Canada’s identity as a nation. Though the country has a large religious population, the government of Canada values secularism, which is the separation of church and state. The education minister of Quebec, Bernard Drainville, issued a directive in April 2023 to ban students from gathering together to pray while in school. Read on to learn about the background of this issue and what this crackdown on religious students means for schools and families.

Schools in Montreal Gave Students a Room for Prayer

Education minister Drainville decided to issue a directive because he discovered that some schools in Montreal had given students rooms in which to pray together. The schools reported that students were not forced to pray or exposed to religious messages against their will, but this didn’t ease Drainville’s mind or make him change directions. He felt that any group worship in schools went against Quebec’s secularism law. 

In 2019, the government of Quebec passed the Act Respecting the Laicity of the State, also known as Bill 21. This bill made it illegal for government employees, including in schools, to wear any religious symbols while at work. In a broader sense, Bill 21 invokes secularism as the law of the land in Quebec, laying the groundwork for other directives to enforce secularism at every level of society when it comes to government services such as education.

Education Authorities Ban Prayer Rooms in Schools

Minister Drainville’s directive is meant to direct schools to ban prayer rooms and prayer groups in schools in Quebec. It seems that Drainville doesn’t want to see prayer happening visibly at all in schools. Regarding his directive to ban prayer rooms, he explained that students can pray as long as they do so individually and quietly. Of course, Christians and Catholics may find it easier to conform to this regulation than Muslims, considering that group prayer is an important part of the tradition of worship in Islam.

The ban may apply to extracurricular activities and after-hours activities because it has enough vague language to enforce in a variety of situations. So, while the motivation behind Drainville’s ban may seem harmless, the enforcement of the ban could end up encroaching on students’ freedoms and human rights. The application of such a ban tends to affect non-Christians more than Christians, which makes it appear like an attack on people of certain religions more than others.

Religion and Culture Play Important Roles in Student Education Life

Canada’s Human Rights Commission is looking further into this issue because religion and culture play important roles in students’ lives. Banning prayer rooms for the sake of protecting non-religious students isn’t as innocuous as it seems. For some students, religion, culture, and identity are intimately connected, and when they have to suppress or ignore a part of their identity to exist at school, it can feel harmful and upsetting to them.

One of the issues is that young people, especially students, often suffer more intrusions on their human rights because they are young and in school. Student speech is censored, they can get in serious trouble for protesting or holding demonstrations, and they often can’t express their identities through clothing, style, and accessories. This religious ban further erodes students’ rights in the name of protecting non-religious students from being pressured to follow a religion. Some Muslim groups see this ban as another veiled attack against their community with language that invokes an unfounded fear of religious radicalism in Canada.

Although the education minister received some negative backlash for issuing his directive to ban prayer rooms in schools, he did not back down. Minister Drainville expects school officials to enforce these policies and ensure that students are not praying in schools.

Make Your Wedding Special by Making It Sustainable

Sustainable weddings have been on trend for years. Weddings can be extravagant affairs with a lot of waste, but with a little forethought, an eco-friendly event is more attainable. Making your wedding green not only reduces your impact on the environment, but it also reduces the impact on your budget. Have a mantra of reduce, reuse and recycle for your upcoming wedding by starting with these tips.

Look for a Green Venue

Today’s hotels and event venues have many ways to reduce their carbon footprint, from using solar panels to composting on-site. Look for venues that have multiple sustainable initiatives in place that support green operations. Some buildings get certified through federal or state programs to indicate their commitment to sustainability. Under the Canada Green Building Council, hotels can be audited to receive a green key rating of one to five to demonstrate their current environmental efforts. Holding your wedding in a green environment and housing your guests in green hotels can make a big difference in your own environmental impact.

Sustainable Ways For Wedding Attire

Fashion has a huge impact on the environment. Creating dresses and tuxes that might only be worn once or twice takes a lot of resources. Instead of buying new, rent or buy a used wedding gown and bridesmaids dresses. If you do buy new items, look for sustainable fashion that is made of recycled or sustainable materials and made in ethical working conditions. Check for social responsibility statements by the corporate office. Shop locally or use brands that limit packaging.

Reuse or Rent Décor

Decorations and flowers are items that can end up in landfills after the wedding. Talk to the wedding venue about wedding decorations that you can reuse or rent.  Shop locally for reused decorations on social media or in second-hand stores. Ask your friends to reuse their wedding decorations. Even if your colors aren’t the same, the greenery and glass vases will fit into any color scheme. Plan to offer your own wedding decorations to others after your wedding.

Create a Sustainable Wedding Gift Registry

Register with stores that are eco-friendly and sell items made from recycled materials, are Fair Trade Certified or made locally. You may also want to give guests an option to help give money toward your honeymoon or another large purchase. Some couples even ask guests to give to charity instead of giving a gift, especially when the couple already has everything they need in their home.

Sustainable Menu Items

The menu is another place where planning ahead can make your wedding more sustainable. Start by thinking about seasonal foods for the wedding. Anything that can be sourced locally is usually a better choice for the environment. Serving local wines and delicacies also supports your community. Plant-based menus are also more eco-friendly and usually less expensive than serving seafood and meats.

Ask your caterer about their own process to reduce waste. Rent dishes and flatware for serving. Although those items will need to be washed, it will keep a lot of waste out of landfills. Instead of a buffet, choose a plated dinner. Buffets require a lot of extra food for serving, which often goes to waste.

Make Small Changes To Your Wedding

Before buying items for your wedding, think about the impact on the environment. Candles and balloons might be traditional decorations, but both are not sustainable. Balloons just get tossed into a landfill after the wedding. Candles made of paraffin wax, which is a petroleum product, are not eco-friendly. Printed invitations use a lot of paper. Find eco-friendly options instead.

Think of ways you can be more sustainable on your special day to really enjoy your wedding, knowing that you’re not a burden to the environment.

Throw a Surprise Engagement Party

Engagement parties have long been a tradition that couples indulge in before getting married. However, younger Canadians have been putting a unique spin on this custom in recent years by throwing surprise engagement parties. This can be a great way to delight the happy couple and show them how much their connection means to their family and friends. Still, you need to go about the process in the right manner for it to work. Review this guide and gain more perspective on how to properly throw a surprise engagement party.

Ask the Right Preliminary Questions

Before you do anything else, you need to ask yourself a handful of questions about the couple. Namely, you must consider whether or not they will appreciate being surprised. Some people absolutely hate surprises, especially individuals who like to have a lot of control over their lives. If the couple likes to meticulously plan every detail of their routine without change, then you may want to nix the idea of surprising them. You should also consider whether the guests can keep a secret. If you’re working with people who love to gossip, you may want to consider other options.

Create the Guest-list For The Engagement Party

Next, you need to figure out who will be invited to the party. This can be a tricky step, especially if you don’t know all the people the couple would want present at the event. Since you cannot ask the couple without giving away the secret, you must work with other friends and family members to put together a succinct list. You must be very careful with who you invite, as custom dictates people who are invited to the engagement party must also be invited to the wedding. Be thorough to avoid any awkward situations for the couple. 

Pick a Place

One of the more challenging aspects of planning a surprise engagement party is selecting a location. Opting for a venue like a restaurant can make it easier to figure out food and drink concerns, but it also can be more expensive and limit how many guests you can invite. The popular alternative younger Canadians have been taking advantage of in recent years is hosting the party at someone’s home. This can help to create a relaxed and welcoming environment for everyone. If you decide to use a venue, be sure to book the space at least three months in advance.

Plan Activities At Your Engagement Party

To make the event more personal, you may wish to include a variety of activities. Specifically, it can be a good idea to plan games that are centered around the couple and their relationship. For example, you can create a list of questions about the couple and have all of the guests answer them to the best of their abilities. When the answers are read aloud, it can make for a fun and hilarious experience as the couple learns who knows the most about them. Look at sites like Pinterest for more inspiration on party games. 

Figure Out the Final Plan

Once you have all of the details figured out, you must create a plan for the day of the party. How are you going to get the couple to the venue without giving away the secret? Will someone be in charge of spending time with the couple beforehand so that they make it to the venue in a timely manner? You may also want to consider having guests park their vehicles away from the venue where the party is being held. This will help to keep the party a total surprise until the last possible moment. 

Throw a Wonderful Engagement Party

While surprise engagement parties have become a popular trend among younger Canadians, a lot of work goes into planning such events. As long as you’re prepared to handle all the details, a surprise party can be a wonderful way to celebrate a special couple.