An engagement party is a celebration of the commitment and love between two people. It is a time for friends and family to come together, share their excitement, and offer congratulations. To make the most of this special occasion, it’s important to observe proper engagement party etiquette. In this article, Viva Wedding Photography will explore the key aspects of engagement etiquette to help you plan a memorable event.
What Is An Engagement Party?
A beautiful engagement soirée is a delightful prelude to the grand symphony of love. It is a joyous occasion that heralds the commencement of a couple’s sacred voyage towards eternal bliss and unity. This pre-wedding occasion comes before the bridal shower, bachelorette party, or any analogous gathering.
It’s a moment when the happy couple announces their engagement, setting the stage for their journey towards eternal love. This magical occasion also serves as a perfect setting for new connections to blossom, as friends and family gather to forge meaningful bonds if they haven’t had the pleasure of meeting before.
Some Questions About Engagement Party Etiquette You Should Be Clear
1. When Is The Right Time To Have An Engagement Party?
According to wedding experts, the best time to have this engagement party is typically between two and three months after the proposal. This allows the couple to bask in the excitement of their recent engagement while still leaving ample time to plan for the grand wedding festivities that lie ahead.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that the engagement party should ideally take place no later than six months before the wedding day. This ensures that the engagement party remains a delightful prelude to the main event, setting the stage for a truly unforgettable journey towards marital bliss.
It is customary to provide your loved ones with approximately one month’s notice, and if you have friends who reside far away, extending that notice to six weeks is a thoughtful gesture. Therefore, I recommend sending out your party invitations a few months after you have a perfect engagement plan. This ensures that your guests have ample time to mark their calendars, fostering anticipation for the upcoming joyous celebration in line with engagement party etiquette.
>>> Recommend reading: 23 Romantic Ways To Propose Make Your Loved Unforgettable
2. Who Will Be Throwing The Engagement Party?
There is a long-standing tradition that the bride’s parents take on the role of hosting the engagement party. Not only does it show gratitude for all they’ve done to nurture their daughter, but it also brings the two families closer together as they rejoice in the union of their children.
However, in this modern era of love and togetherness, anyone can take up the mantle of throwing this delightful event. After all, what better way to celebrate the journey of two souls coming together than to send them lots of love and good vibes from all over the world? Whether it’s the groom’s parents, friends or other beloved family members are more than welcome to join in on the festivities and throw a memorable party.
3. Where Should an Engagement Party Take Place?
The location of the engagement party is one of the initial decisions that the delighted couple will face. This sweet ceremony is usually performed in the lively city where the happy couple now resides or in one of their hometowns.
In addition, you have to consider your wedding’s theme and vision in the big picture. Picking a venue isn’t just about picking a spot; it’s also about making sure your guests are conveniently located and comfortable for your big day.
Consideration for engagement party etiquette becomes vital, especially when planning a destination wedding to minimize travel stress for valued guests. You do not want your loved ones to have to worry about making several trips so that they may enjoy the celebrations to the fullest. So, you might be wondering if it’s a good idea to ask your visitors to go on two different trips.
4. Is it appropriate to have a formal or informal engagement party?
The choice between an official and an informal engagement party is entirely up to the happy couple. Remember, it’s all about creating an engagement that perfectly encapsulates your love story and leaves a lasting impression on your cherished guests.
Think about taste, as the custom of the engagement party was meant to help you begin to bridge the gap between your families. If you and your beloved are fans of elegant and sophisticated soirées, a casual cookout simply won’t do.
On the other hand, if you adore the relaxed and laid-back atmosphere of a backyard gathering, a formal affair might not be your cup of tea. A lot of engagement parties are fancy affairs held in ballrooms and country clubs, while some people choose to keep things casual with backyard BBQs and ice-filled beer tubs.
>>> Recommend reading: Best age to get married – guide for choosing the perfect time
5. Who Will Be Invited To Your Engagement Party?
One of the most frequently asked questions regarding hosting this occasion event is “Who should be invited to an engagement party?”. The wedding invitation list should include guests invited to the engagement ceremony. Even so, it’s probable that fewer people will be invited. The goal is usually to have a smaller, more personal gathering than the wedding.
Engagement party etiquette has evolved, and the traditional method is no longer the exclusive norm. With contemporary couples opting for exclusive or destination weddings, engagement party guests may include those not invited to the wedding itself. Even if not everyone from each family can make it to a typical celebration (such as the one thrown by the bride’s parents), it is still polite to extend invitations to each other.
6. The Toasts At An Engagement Party: How To Set Them Up?
The toasts are another thing to think about once the celebration has begun. There is no ambiguity about who should propose a toast at an engagement party held by the bride’s parents; traditionally, it is the bride’s father.
The groom-to-be then makes a toast to his soon-to-be bride, her parents, and his own. Anyone can propose a toast at any moment during a social gathering organized by friends. As the celebration unfolds, the newly engaged couple may also take the opportunity to address and share their sentiments with the attendees before the festivities draw to a close. This ritual adds a personal touch to what happens at an engagement party.
>>> Recommend reading: 29 Proposal Ideas At Home To Make Your Partner Say Yes!
7. Do People Have To Bring Presents To An Engagement Party?
“Do you bring gifts to an engagement party?” It’s not uncommon to bring presents to a party, even though it may deviate from the usual engagement party etiquette for guests. It’s totally okay to go along with this natural feeling because it fits in with the happy and festive vibe of weddings and joyful events.
To keep this in mind, the pair may choose to put together a rough draft of their wedding register wish list, which their parents may then share with any eager gift-givers in their midst. Guests at a casual party hosted by friends are not likely to bring much more than a wine bottle and some flowers, the standard engagement party presents.
>>> Recommend reading: What to know about engagement party gift etiquette
8. Should We Give Gifts To The Hosts Of The Engagement Party?
Observing engagement party etiquette, expressing gratitude to your host is beautifully conveyed through a heartfelt handwritten card. Also, it wouldn’t hurt to show your appreciation with a tiny token of monetary value, albeit nothing extravagant. Gifts for the host that can match the magnitude of the celebration, like concert tickets or a favorite bottle of Champagne, are kind gestures that the bride and groom might wish to consider.
>>> Read more: Mastering Engagement Gift Thank You Notes: Examples and Tips
9. Is It Necessary To Send Invitations To An Engagement Party?
Official engagement party invites should be sent by you (or whoever is organizing the event), but do not equate the phrase “official” with “formal.” You have the freedom to embrace a more formal aesthetic or explore the realms of simplicity, playfulness, and informality. From traditional paper invitations exuding elegance to whimsical and lighthearted designs, the choice is yours to make.
Engagement party etiquette allows for a tech-savvy approach, considering the modern option of digital invitations. One of the delightful facets of using e-invites for wedding events is the extensive range of design options. This means that when it comes to your elegant engagement party, you have the freedom to select a formal design that exudes sophistication and refinement.
Be sure to include a link to your wedding website on the invites and the party’s date, time, venue, and RSVP information. All it takes is a link to your register, some images, and the proposal narrative (you can always add more later).
10. For An Engagement Party, What Should The Guests Wear?
When left to their own devices, visitors will dress more casually for an afternoon event and more formally for a 7 p.m. or later evening event. One guaranteed approach to have everyone show up looking their best is to include a dress code on the invitation or have the information about engagement outfits for guests spread by word of mouth.
Keep in mind that a captivating theme can have an impact on engagement party protocol. The popularity of themed engagement parties is on the rise, therefore it’s important to keep visitors from feeling alienated from the chosen theme. To keep with the spirit of engagement party etiquette, it’s best to coordinate so that no one shows up in, say, Aunt Susie’s beloved little black dress while everyone else sports a pair of scrunchies from the ’90s.
11. What Should The Engaged Couple Wear To The Party?
What to wear is up to you and your host’s discretion. If you are planning a garden party for the spring, a bride dress with eyelets is a great choice. Putting together a meal for an upcoming dinner party? A chic and modern jumpsuit is ideal.
Gentlemen, keep in mind the season and the hour. The evening may call for a darker, slimmer, and more traditional suit, whereas the daytime may call for a lighter-colored suit (tie optional).
>>> Further reading:
- What is the average dating time before marriage?
- Navigating Engagement Ring Etiquette For A Perfect Proposal
- What hand does the engagement ring go on?
- Women Proposing to Men: Breaking stereotypes & taking control
- 10 Top Tips For Buying An Engagement Ring You Should Know
An engagement party is a special occasion that marks the start of a couple’s journey toward matrimony. By observing proper engagement party etiquette, you and your guests can ensure that the event runs smoothly and everyone has a good time. Viva Wedding Photography hopes our guide about this occasion will help you easily when planning your engagement party.
