Engagement Party Etiquette

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Celebrating with style & Grace

Congratulations, you're getting married! Nowadays word travels quickly for any recently engaged couple, but that doesn't mean an engagement shouldn't be celebrated or even formally announced. People want to congratulate you, and let's be real, a pre-wedding soiree is much more fun than a phone call. Here is what you need to know about throwing a proper engagement celebration. 

 

THE ETIQUETTE OF HOSTING

  • Traditionally, the parents of the bride are given the first opportunity to host the engagement party, followed by the groom’s parents.

  • However, anyone can throw the celebration including your friends or yourself.

  • If both sets of parents live far apart, having two separate parties is acceptable, although you should invite guests to only one gathering, not both.

 

THE ETIQUETTE OF TIMING & INVITATIONS

  • Traditionally, the party should be held between 30 and 90 days from the moment from the proposal. 

  • Plan the engagement party closer to the three-month mark if the wedding date is more than a year after the engagement. Schedule the engagement party within one to two months if the wedding date is within 10 months of the engagement.

  • Invitations should be sent or mailed 4-5 weeks prior to the event.

  • Don’t stress about the color palette and other decor details. The engagement party design does not need to match the rest of your wedding {this includes stationery}.

 

ENGAGEMENT PARTY GUESTS & ETIQUETTE

  • In terms of guests, both families should be invited so that they can get to know one another in a social setting. After immediate family, close extended family and the intimate circle of best friends are included.

  • Everyone in the bridal party should receive an invitation.

  • People who are invited to the engagement party should ultimately be invited to the wedding.

 

ENGAGEMENT PARTY GIFTS & ETIQUETTE

  • Engagement gifts are not customarily given, however close family and friends may choose to do so.

  • It’s proper etiquette to prepare your registry before the party for any guest that wishes to bring a gift.

  • However, it is considered bad manners to include the registry information on any invitations. You can inform guests of your registry if they ask, but not otherwise. 

  • If any gift is received, discretely place them aside and open them in private after the guests have departed.

 

ENGAGEMENT PARTY TOASTS & ACTIVITIES

  • Generally, the father of the bride leads a toast to the couple. The couple will respond with a toast to their families.

  • Depending on the venue, you can have a sit-down dinner, a casual appetizer and cocktail party or even a backyard barbecue.

  • An icebreaker activity is typically well received as it can provide each family with the opportunity to get to know one another.

 

AFTER PARTY ETIQUETTE

  • Send thank-you notes to all attendees.

 

Engagement PartyErika Grubbweddingtips, weddingplanning, engagementparty, engagementpartytips, engagementpartydetails, erikaamalia, erikaamaliaevents, centralvalleyweddingplanner, centralvalleyComment