6 Steps to Planning an Engagement Party An engagement party is a great way to celebrate a wedding proposal. It gives couples a chance to celebrate with friends and family before the wedding, show off the new engagement ring , and otherwise have fun before their big day. While planning an engagement party isn't nearly as stressful as a wedding, it can definitely be an overwhelming experience when you're not sure how to go about it. To plan your engagement party easily and as stress free as possible, just follow these 6 steps. Step 1. Decide Who Will Host The first step to planning an engagement party is deciding who will host it. Engagement parties are traditionally hosted by the bride's family, but in modern times it's hardly a requirement. The host can be the bride's family, the groom's family, a close friend of the couple, or even a joint combination of both families. The important thing is that someone needs to take responsibility for hosting the party and overseeing the arrangements that need to happen beforehand. If the bride and groom's families live in different cities, deciding where the party will be held can sometimes lead to friction or one side feeling like they're being left out. If both families want to be responsible, holding two parties, one for each family, can solve the problem. Step 2. Pick a Date Once someone has agreed to host, the next step is to pick the date the party will be held. While it's tempting to want to celebrate a new engagement right away, it's a good idea to schedule the party a few months down the road instead. Instead of jumping right in to serious party planning, it's best for a newly engaged couple to relax a bit at first and get used to the thought of being together forever before rushing to plan a party together. After that, take into consideration how big the party will be, and how formal. If the party is going to be a low key, informal affair, there's no reason to wait too long to hold it. If it's going to be a largescale event with lots of guests and lots of details to be sorted out, the date should be far enough in the future to take planning into consideration. Step 3. Choose the Location There's a lot of freedom to be had in choosing an engagement party's location. The party can be held at a restaurant, at someone's home, or at a place that has special significance to the couple. An engagement party can be a formal dinner, or it can be a causal party. Once the level of formality is decided, pick a place that fits the chosen atmosphere (and that fits your budget, of course). Step 4 . Draw Up A Guest List There aren't many rules for engagement party guest lists. Depending on the size of the wedding, the size of the venue, and the people the bride and groom want to be at the party, a guest list can
range from 10100 people long. Create a list of everyone invited to the party, and then send out invitations at least six months in advance. Step 5. Food and Décor The settings and food options will depend a lot on the location, the guest list, and other specific factors, but it is definitely a good idea to pick out food options and the overall décor of the party as soon as possible. Some couples feel pressured to make sure the engagement party matches the color scheme and theme of their wedding, but it's definitely not a requirement. Just pick out flowers, place settings, and other decorations that liven up the space, and that match the style of the party. Step 6. Decide What to Wear Just like a wedding, an engagement party is a onetime event for a couple. As such, it's important to pick out something special to wear to celebrate the occasion. The dress code for an engagement party shouldn't be anywhere near as formal as the actual wedding, but it is important that the couple looks good together and wears something appropriate for a day they want to remember. Some couples set up a gift registry for their engagement party. If gifts are being accepted, the registry should be set up around the same time as the guest list so that guests have a chance to register and select a gift.