Engagement Party Checklist
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The Engagement Party signifies the official start of your wedding countdown.
Ten to Eight Weeks before the Party
Agree on a Host
Traditionally, the Bride's family throws the engagement party, but often the Groom's family likes to share in the festivities by co-hosting the affair. Part of the fun of an engagement party, is letting your two families get to know each other, as well as friends or extended family you don’t often see.
Pick a Date
Generally, the engagement party is held three to four months after the proposal.
Compile a Guest List
Make sure your invitees are also on the guest list for the wedding ceremony and reception.
Register... or not.
Decide if you want to register (preferably for gifts in the low to middle range of prices – don't forget, the wedding is still to come), or include a note in the invitation kindly requesting no gifts. If guests do bring presents, wait until after the party to open them so as to not obligate or offend the other guests.
Four to Six Weeks before the Party
Send Invitations
The tone of the party should be in keeping with that of your upcoming wedding. These can be as formal as you like but the engagement party is usually a more relaxed, playful occasion.
Decide on Decorations and Centrepieces
If you wish, choose a theme that reflects you as a couple or something that reflects your two families. No need to go overboard though, the point is to celebrate your engagement. If you’ve already decided on your wedding stationery / theme motif, including it in the engagement party lends a welcome element of cohesion.
Plan a Menu
Whether your party will be held at a restaurant or a private home, you should be mindful of any allergies or food specifications of your guests.
The Week Before
Go Shopping, if Necessary
If the party will be in a home, give yourself a comfortable margin of time to buy the food, drinks, party goods or anything else you may be contributing.
Prepare the Venue
Make sure there are plenty of places for guests to sit and eat as well as an area to store gifts. For a party at someone's home, arrange to have the lawn cut and the house cleaned and be sure the air conditioning/ heat works. Let the neighbours know you will be having a party so as to preempt any complaints of disruption.
Lineup your Help
Need some extra hands to get everything done? Involve the members of your wedding party if you've already chosen them, or ask for help from willing friends and family members.
Decorate
Just because it's not the main event, doesn't mean you can't go a little overboard on the decor. Especially if you're using a house, this is your chance to turn an ordinary flat or home into an opulent reception venue for your engagement party for the evening, and if it's a family home, you'll always have the memory of how beautiful it looked! Look what we did to a Remuera flat (home to 6 boys!!) in just the space of a few hours!
We'd love to help you style your home or venue for your engagement party!