Tips for Planning an Amazing Engagement Party

Tips for Planning an Amazing Engagement Party

For Canadian couples who are either engaged or considering it, an engagement party is a great way to start the wedding festivities. This party is widely thought to be the official start of a couple’s wedding, even if the actual date of the nuptials is far off. Although this pre-wedding event is not usually as formal as a rehearsal dinner or the actual wedding, a little planning can go a long way into making an engagement party all the more special.

Exploring the History of Engagement Parties

The tradition of an engagement party goes as far back as Ancient Greece, where this event was part of an oral contract between the groom and the father of the bride. In Western culture, such a celebration appeared as a typical shindig where a bride’s parents made a surprise announcement to attendees that their daughter was to tie the knot. As a result, engagement parties historically don’t involve giving presents. Today’s gatherings are known as celebrations of an engaged couple’s happiness. They may be thrown by the bride’s parents, other family members, friends or even the couple to be wed.

Picking a Date

Although there’s no set rule as to when the festivities must be held, typically the party should be thrown within a few months of the actual proposal. The engagement should be fairly new when you inform loved ones of the celebration. If there are attendees who live far away, you’ll want to give them plenty of time to make arrangements to come.

Handling Invitations

Engagement party invitations don’t need to be as formal as that of a wedding. You can go old-school with mailed cards or take advantage of a wedding website and social media to spread the word. Creating an event on a platform like Facebook or using sites such as Zazzle to make and send ecards leverages the power of technology to inform loved ones of the event. Invitations, whether printed or digital, don’t need to match a wedding theme, especially if you haven’t yet gotten to that part of nuptials planning.

Choosing a Location

Because this pre-wedding event doesn’t have to be very formal, there are several options for this gathering:

  • House of a friend, family member or your own: Home is where the heart is, and where’s a better place to celebrate pledging love to another person than a home? This environment is familiar, comfortable and relaxed.
  • Private room at a favorite restaurant: If you or your partner have a restaurant you enjoy, see if it has a private room you can use. Depending on the number of attendees, those celebrating can order food off the menu or a prix fixe option might be more your speed. Did you and your partner meet at a particular place? Throwing your engagement party there can make it extra special.
  • Rented hall or public space: A large number of guests may require a venue such as an event hall, neighborhood clubhouse or country club space.

Wherever you hold the event, remember that it’s not supposed to outshine your actual wedding ceremony.

Planning Activities For Your Engagement Party

It’s important to remember that the engagement party isn’t like a bridal shower or other pre-wedding events that might involve gifts. Some attendees may bring presents, so you should have a space to collect those, but opening them shouldn’t be a scheduled activity. This is the time to eat, drink, be merry and introduce friends and family to one another. Laid-back group games are perfectly fine for such an event. You and others may feel compelled to share well wishes, but formal toasts aren’t required.

Congratulations to you and your partner, or some near-and-dear ones who you’re planning for. An engagement party is a lovely way to start the countdown to a big day ahead. It can be as laid-back and fuss-free as you make it.

Tips for Planning an Amazing Engagement Party

For Canadian couples who are either engaged or considering it, an engagement party is a great way to start the wedding festivities. This party is widely thought to be the official start of a couple’s wedding, even if the actual date of the nuptials is far off. Although this pre-wedding event is not usually as formal as a rehearsal dinner or the actual wedding, a little planning can go a long way into making an engagement party all the more special.

Exploring the History of Engagement Parties

The tradition of an engagement party goes as far back as Ancient Greece, where this event was part of an oral contract between the groom and the father of the bride. In Western culture, such a celebration appeared as a typical shindig where a bride’s parents made a surprise announcement to attendees that their daughter was to tie the knot. As a result, engagement parties historically don’t involve giving presents. Today’s gatherings are known as celebrations of an engaged couple’s happiness. They may be thrown by the bride’s parents, other family members, friends or even the couple to be wed.

Picking a Date

Although there’s no set rule as to when the festivities must be held, typically the party should be thrown within a few months of the actual proposal. The engagement should be fairly new when you inform loved ones of the celebration. If there are attendees who live far away, you’ll want to give them plenty of time to make arrangements to come.

Handling Invitations

Engagement party invitations don’t need to be as formal as that of a wedding. You can go old-school with mailed cards or take advantage of a wedding website and social media to spread the word. Creating an event on a platform like Facebook or using sites such as Zazzle to make and send ecards leverages the power of technology to inform loved ones of the event. Invitations, whether printed or digital, don’t need to match a wedding theme, especially if you haven’t yet gotten to that part of nuptials planning.

Choosing a Location

Because this pre-wedding event doesn’t have to be very formal, there are several options for this gathering:

  • House of a friend, family member or your own: Home is where the heart is, and where’s a better place to celebrate pledging love to another person than a home? This environment is familiar, comfortable and relaxed.
  • Private room at a favorite restaurant: If you or your partner have a restaurant you enjoy, see if it has a private room you can use. Depending on the number of attendees, those celebrating can order food off the menu or a prix fixe option might be more your speed. Did you and your partner meet at a particular place? Throwing your engagement party there can make it extra special.
  • Rented hall or public space: A large number of guests may require a venue such as an event hall, neighborhood clubhouse or country club space.

Wherever you hold the event, remember that it’s not supposed to outshine your actual wedding ceremony.

Planning Activities For Your Engagement Party

It’s important to remember that the engagement party isn’t like a bridal shower or other pre-wedding events that might involve gifts. Some attendees may bring presents, so you should have a space to collect those, but opening them shouldn’t be a scheduled activity. This is the time to eat, drink, be merry and introduce friends and family to one another. Laid-back group games are perfectly fine for such an event. You and others may feel compelled to share well wishes, but formal toasts aren’t required.

Congratulations to you and your partner, or some near-and-dear ones who you’re planning for. An engagement party is a lovely way to start the countdown to a big day ahead. It can be as laid-back and fuss-free as you make it.

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