Your engagement party is a way to share and celebrate the news of your future wedding with your beloved family and friends. Traditionally the bride hosts the engagement party, but in todays modern times, the couple often plans it themselves. Here are our basics on engagement party etiquette.

When To Have It

It is always nice for the engagement party to take place soon after the engagement. They typically take place anytime within 1 week to 3 months after the engagement. This way the news and excitement is still very fresh. Although, its is a good idea to give yourself time to envision your wedding first, as you may want the style of your engagement party to be cohesive with the style of your wedding.

Who To Invite

Traditionally the rule of etiquette is that whoever is invited to the engagement party, should also be invited to the wedding. Although, as many people now have more small intimate weddings with just close friends and family, the engagement party often includes people who are not invited to, or can not make it to the wedding. Typically the families of the bride and groom are invited, close friends of the families, and any other good friends.

Formal Or Informal

How formal or informal your engagement party is is entirely up to you. Many couples often opt to hire a restaurant as their venue while others have something very casual at their own homes.

Gifts

Giving gifts to the bride and groom is not customary at the engagement party although, guests will often arrive with gifts for the couple as it is part of the celebration manner of weddings. If you are creating a wedding registry, you may want to add some low to middle price ranged gifts early on as guidance for those wanting to give you a gifts at your engagement party.

Invitations

The type of invitations that are sent are completely up to the couple. If your engagement party is going to take place a few week after getting engaged, it is acceptable to send out electronic invites. This could be via social media, email or even inviting your guests over the phone. If your engagement party is months away, you will have the time to mail out your invitations to your guests.

Remember The Wedding

When planning your engagement party keep in mind that you do not want to upstage the main event – your wedding. We suggest trying to create a different mood for your engagement party, while still keeping the style cohesive with the wedding to come.