Getting engaged is such an exciting time in your life, so it’s no surprise that you want to celebrate it with friends and family. But when do you have an engagement party? We have some guidance on the best time to host your party as well as a handy printable checklist!
When do you have an engagement party?
Your engagement party should be soon enough after your actual engagement that it’s still a relevant event but gives enough time for your guests to plan to attend. When it comes to engagement party etiquette, we suggest having the celebration between 4-8 weeks after you “say yes”! Depending on how elaborate your party is, you may need more or less time to organize everything, but that’s a good starting point for your engagement party plans.
Who plans the engagement party?
Generally speaking, most couples plan their own engagement party as it’s not always a traditional pre-wedding event. While almost everyone has a bachelor night or a bachelorette party, not every couple throws an engagement party. Your bridal party may throw you a bridal shower, and the bride’s parents might chip in for the wedding reception, but celebrating your engagement falls to you and your fiancé. Don’t fret – we have an entire engagement party checklist to help you stay organized.
👰 Read our article about who throws the bridal shower for hosting details and planning tips.
Who do I invite to my engagement party?
When it comes to creating your engagement party invitation list, you should know that it doesn’t have to be as inclusive as your bridal shower or wedding guest list. This is a time for your closest friends and family to celebrate you as a couple in a smaller way than the actual wedding itself. You can likely omit extended family and acquaintances without them feeling slighted – they’ll have a chance to party with you during the wedding later on! It’s probably a good idea to invite anyone you may want to include in your wedding party just to see how everyone mixes and mingles together. Include your parents and siblings, but grandparents, aunts and uncles, out-of-town friends, and extended family can get a pass on the engagement invitation.
It’s important to know that you should not expect gifts from your engagement party guests. While your close friends might get you an engagement gift, many won’t. Some guests might be planning on getting you a gift for your bridal shower or upcoming wedding. That being said, there is no need to make an engagement party gift registry.
Planning your engagement party
Throwing an engagement party takes a few steps and you may have to start fairly quickly to get everything lined up for your event. But hey, that just means more quality time with your favorite person!
Set up your engagement photos
The first step to planning your engagement celebration is to take some cute engagement photos! It’s time to show off that ring and have some fun with your fiancé. Plus, you can use those photos in your engagement party invitations or even on the save-the-date cards for your wedding. Book a local photographer to set up a photoshoot in your favorite spots to make it personal to your love story! You can even go an extra step and hire a makeup artist to help you look perfect for your photos.
📷 Not sure where to start? Check out these 7 Adorable Engagement Photo Shoot Ideas!
Find a venue
Once your photos are done, you’ll have a few days to wait until you get them back. In the meantime, you can choose a date and start looking at venues for your engagement party. You’ll need this information on hand before creating your invitations, so it’s important to get your engagement party venue locked in. There’s nothing wrong with hosting at home but you can also consider a local venue that offers all the seating, drinks, and food that you’ll need for your party! It all depends on how elaborate you want to be and how big your guest list is.
Choose a theme
Now comes the fun part! Your engagement party theme should reflect you and your fiancé as a couple, so don’t be afraid to be yourselves. It does not need to be a formal affair. Embrace what makes you unique and play off that for your theme. Maybe you’re obsessed with Schitt’s Creek, or you have a standing Taco Tuesday every week. Maybe you’ll want to have a Speakeasy-themed cocktail party. Lean in and incorporate the most-loved parts of your life together into your engagement party!
👉 We’re here to help! Here are some Cute Engagement Party Ideas for the Low-Key Couple.
Send out invitations
After the date, venue, and theme are set, you can begin choosing engagement party invitations. Check out sites like Etsy to support local artists for ordering your invitations! Or if you’re more of a DIY-er, we’re partial to Canva and its easy-to-use platform and templates.
As an alternative to sending out physical invitations, you might consider just making a Facebook event or using Eventbrite for digital invitations. Wedding sites like Zola have options to create pre-wedding events, too!
Set the menu
There are lots of ways you can go with the menu for your engagement party. Again, this is a great way to let your own personality shine! If you love beer and tacos, hire a food truck and toss some local craft beers in ice. More of a sushi and wine couple? Take the sophistication up a notch and book a personal chef or caterer instead. Or take the playful route and offer cotton candy and concessions for your guests. Depending on the size of your guest list, it may be a good idea to hire some waitstaff to help pass around food and clean up.
🍸 Pro tip: Signature cocktails aren’t just for weddings! Book a bartender to help mix up a fun drink (or a few) in honor of your engagement.
Book the entertainment
If you’re having entertainment at your engagement party, it’s always a good idea to book it as far in advance as possible. Weekend events fill up quickly and you don’t want to be stuck without the perfect performer! The entertainment will likely be determined by your theme and venue, but music is always a good choice. Try a harpist, singing pianist, or jazz band for more sophisticated events. Booking an acoustic band or singing guitarist is a great fit for casual engagement parties. If you want a more interactive experience, we recommend a unique entertainer like a belly dancer, strolling magician, or juggler!
Design the decor
You may not need much to dress up your space, but it never hurts to add a little pizazz to your engagement party! Balloon decor is always a classic look and they come in almost every color to match your theme. If needed, you can rent tables, table linens, or even a tent to set up for outdoor events. Depending on the season, there are lots of fun options for centerpieces. Pumpkins and mums are great for fall parties, or a florist can help with pretty arrangements for spring and summer events. At the very least, simple white pillar candles are a classic choice for any party!
💟 Need inspiration? Our Pinterest page has tons of decor ideas for any theme!
Knowing when to have an engagement party is the first step to getting your closest friends and family together to celebrate your new chapter! Just remember to tap into what makes you both special as a couple as you plan your celebration and everyone is sure to have a great time. Congratulations on this milestone in your life!
Book something unforgettable for your engagement party! Find the best musicians, entertainers, and services on GigSalad.
Megan is the Director of Customer Experience at GigSalad and has gained 9+ years of insight on what makes a great event on both sides of the booking process. Her favorite things include books, true crime podcasts, coffee, hiking, puns, and making people laugh.