What is an Engagement Party

Why Have an Engagement Party?

An engagement is a joyous occasion and many couples want to celebrate with their family and friends. This can range from a quiet dinner with a few of their closest friends to a lavish party with an extensive guest list.

There are many decisions that need to be made when considering whether to hold an engagement party and one of the most influential is budget. A wedding is one of the most expensive occasions that a couple is likely to face. Not only is there the wedding itself, which includes the dresses, reception, cars, photos, flowers, rings and more, but there is also the setting up of a home together and all the costs that this involves. This can add up to a lot of money and many couples may prefer to have a low key party, or no party at all, and to put everything towards the wedding.

There are occasions, however, when an engagement party is important and this outweighs other considerations. This might include a situation where the couple is living away from their home town and therefore celebrate their engagement on a trip home, knowing that many family and friends may not be able to attend the wedding itself.

Some couples also get engaged without any plans for immediate marriage. When facing a long engagement the couple may decide to have a party and to celebrate their engagement in lavish style.

Types of Engagement Parties

There are potentially as many different types of engagement party as there are couples! One of the great features about engagement parties not following traditions or customs is that couples can create a party that is unique and special to them. Therefore there are no hard and fast rules, or engagement party etiquette, as to who should be invited or what people should wear – instead, a couple can really do their own thing and have fun. An engagement party could be a simple picnic in the park where everyone brings their own food and drink or a party on a private yacht – or anything in between! This flexibility also means that the perfect party can be planned to meet a budget and any special requirements.

Potential Pitfalls

Don't request gifts.

While an engagement and wedding are the perfect time for celebrations, there are one or two pitfalls to watch out for when planning engagement parties.

Gift Overload

Just as weddings can be an expensive time for the betrothed couple, they can also be an expensive time for family and friends. An engagement party may precede a bridal shower, wedding, and housewarming party and it is important to consider the cost implications of so many gift buying occasions. Buying appropriate engagement gifts can prove expensive. Some family and friends may find buying gifts for all of these occasions plus engagement party gifts, in addition to new outfits and travel costs, prohibitive. It is important to be sensitive to this issue as it can otherwise cause unhappiness or even resentment.

Who to Invite to an Engagement Party?

Another pitfall to watch out for is whether an invitation to an engagement party will also give someone the indication that they are also going to be attending the wedding. This, again, can cause unhappiness and disappointment, however can easily be managed in well designed engagement party invitations.

How to Answer the Question 'What is an Engagement Party'?

Many people are confused as to what is required of them at an engagement party – for instance do they need to dress formally or buy gifts. Knowing how to describe what is an engagement party is part of the key to managing people's expectations and arranging the perfect party. This can be addressed in invitations, therefore if your plans are for an engagement party with games or a very simple party, such as a picnic or barbecue, outline in the invitation what the dress requirement will be (for instance warm and comfortable), what the plans are for food and other refreshments and what your thoughts are about presents. While it is considered bad form to provide a gift list for an engagement party, people would definitely appreciate knowing if gifts are not expected.

An engagement is a very special occasion and memories will be long cherished regardless of whether or not a party is part of the celebration.