Engagement Parties

Engagement parties are not only fun, but also a great way to announce your engagement to the world. Your party offers an excellent opportunity for your families and friends to get to know each other.

Your party could be scheduled anytime after your engagement and before your wedding day. Normally, the parties are scheduled within a couple of months after the engagement. The party should provide an opportunity for friends and family to celebrate the engagement together. They are informal gatherings, and the main purpose is for the families and friends to meet and become friendly.

Even though traditionally the parents of the bride host the engagement party, it can be hosted by anyone close to the bride and groom. The location of the party is insignificant. As long as it is conveniently located, a friend's house or the parents' home are both popular choices. It is quite common for the future bride and groom to host. Both sets of parents could throw a party together for the bride and groom. You should invite anyone that's important to you; friends, family, coworkers, and school friends. You should only invite people to the party who will be invited to the wedding too.

The parties are informal events. The food is usually finger food, or something simple. For people who require more formal surroundings, it is not unusual to have the party held at a restaurant.

Do not use the engagement party to introduce the parents for the first time to each other. It would be best to choose a more intimate occasion when only the parents and bride and groom are present. A pre-engagement dinner might be the perfect solution to introduce your parents to each other.

While engagement parties are fun, they can be expensive. They are more advisable for couples with a long engagement; it may be awkward to have an engagement party only a few months before the wedding.

You shouldn't expect gifts as etiquette does not dictate that guests should bring them. The engagement party provides a good opportunity to start thinking about your gift registry. After the party, don't forget to send thank you notes!

About the Author:

George Meszaros is owner of americasbridalshop.com, offering unique wedding and bridal shower favors.