Every year quite a few people pop THE question over the holiday season. (You know which question we're talking about, the one that means you'll both be saying "I do!")
If you happen to be one of the lucky lovebirds that this happens to, plans for an engagement party will need to be made soon. WhereBridesGo.com has a few tips for you on how to throw an amazing engagement party that will have everyone extra-excited about seeing what you do next for the wedding!
Decide Who Will Host
Traditionally, the bride's parents always hosted engagement parties. Today, not many people choose to stick to tradition, so it's perfectly acceptable for anyone that wants to host the party to do so. Other relatives or close friends may want to throw a celebration to officially announce your engagement. Lots of couples even decide to throw their own engagement event. If the bride and groom, as well as each of their families, are from different towns, more than one party may be needed.
Create a Guest List
You will need to decide whether this is a party for only family and your closest friends or if you want to open it up to a larger group of people. One thing to keep in mind is that you should only invite guests that will also be invited to the wedding.
Pick the Time & Place
If this party will be the big announcement to everyone, then you will want to have it as soon after the proposal as possible. Even if everyone already knows beforehand, it's best to throw it fairly soon after getting engaged. That way you can begin focusing all of your attention on planning the wedding after this party is over. As for the venue, that will depend on how formal your party will be and the number of people you want to invite. Also, consider whether you prefer to serve a full dinner or simply hors-d'oeuvres.
Choose a Style of Party
An engagement party can be a small get-together, a gigantic formal event, or anything in between. If you are having the party in a fancy restaurant, the decorations will need to be a bit more formal. On the other hand, if you choose to have the celebration in a more casual venue or even at home, your party style can be anything you like. Have some fun with it and make sure that no matter who is hosting the party, the feel of the event reflects the newly engaged couple.
Take LOTS of Photos
You will want to remember every moment of this special celebration before the big day. Hiring a professional photographer will guarantee that you get lots of great photos from the engagement party. If you don't want to go that far, encourage your guests to share their pictures with you. This is a great opportunity to get some wonderful pictures to use on your wedding website.
Prepare a Toast
This is most definitely the type of party that requires a toast or two. The host will be expected to say a few words about the people they are honoring. The future bride and groom should say something too. If you can work the proposal story into the toast, that will save you from having to tell it over and over to each person individually.
When you are ready to start shopping for engagement party decorations, toasting glasses, invitations, and more, you will find everything that you need at WhereBridesGo.com. While you are there, go ahead and take a peek at the incredible items we have for your upcoming wedding too. After all, WhereBridesGo.com is "Where brides go... for what brides love!"
~ The WhereBridesGo.com Team
Post by Deanna Powell, Certified Bridal Consultant