|| MARRY ME ||
TIME to
PARTY
MORE THAN JUST ONE DAY OF FUN! BY MEGAN ZINGER
Congratulations on your engagement! Now it’s time to start planning all the fun parties before the big day. First, of course, choose a date that you and your spouse want to have the official wedding on. After that, you can start planning out each party based on the timeline you’ve chosen. Let the celebrations begin! ENGAGEMENT PARTY The engagement party is the first event to take place after the proposal. Depending on how long you plan to be engaged, you can arrange to have the party weeks or months after the engagement. It is really up to the newly engaged couple when the best time to throw the party will be for them. Traditionally, the engagement party is hosted by the bride’s parents, but anyone can be the host — even the couple themselves if they choose! The first steps are picking a date, creating the guest list and finding a venue or house to host. Little details, such as menu and decor, can come after. BRIDAL OR COUPLE SHOWER As the big day approaches, the bridal shower is an opportunity for the almost bride to be celebrated and for guests to give gifts. Typically, bridal showers take place two months to two weeks away from the wedding date. As for who is to host the bridal shower, that is really up to the bride. Anyone from aunts, cousins, grandmothers, mother-of-the-bride or friends, tend to host. The almost newlyweds can even decide to do a couple shower to be more inclusive. Couple showers have become increasingly popular over the past few years and allow the celebration of both people getting married. BACHELORETTE & BACHELOR PARTY For the bachelorette and bachelor parties, the maid of honor and best man are typically the ones to plan this outing. Whether you decide to keep it local or travel, that will be up to the soon-to-be bride and groom! A few popular bachelorette and bachelor parties are Las Vegas, Miami, Nashville, Cabo, Key West, New Orleans and many more! It’s important not to plan these trips too early or late before the wedding. Between one to four months out is ideal. Be sure to give attending guests one to two months before the trip to plan accordingly for tickets and passports. REHEARSAL DINNER Wedding rehearsals are crucial in making sure your big day runs smoothly. They are also considered the “kick-off” to your wedding weekend and typically occur the night before the wedding. The type of rehearsal dinner will be up to the couple, from a backyard barbecue to a formal sit-down dinner. It just depends on personal preference. The first thing to do at this event is to rehearse the wedding ceremony at the venue with all wedding party present. Then on to dinner, usually at another location. Traditionally, the rehearsal dinner is hosted by the groom’s family if not the couple themselves. This is a special evening as it is an opportunity to share a more intimate and relaxed time with primarily family and the wedding party . Usually out of town guests and other close friends may be included as well. Remember: The purpose of these parties and showers is to celebrate you and your spouse. So try to relax, have fun, make memories, enjoy the company of family and friends and be spoiled a bit— you deserve it!
8 WINTER 2022
Cheers!
