1. Once you’re engaged, share the news with your parents. They will be just as excited and will want to welcome their new son/daughter into the family.
2. Select an ideal date and venue for the announcement
An important part of the engagement party planning is choosing the date for your engagement party, it can be simple but tricky. You may want to hold it at least eight to ten months prior to your wedding. There will be much to do before the wedding and holding it to close to the wedding will be too stressful.
There are so many choice venues for your party! It may be a simple and intimate affair at home, a special corner at your favorite restaurant or a private room at your favorite restaurant or a barbecue at the seaside. This is the opportunity for you to have fun without the stress of planning something as grand as your wedding. Keep in mind, the engagement party does not have to similar in style of design to the wedding.
3. Have an alternative or contingency plan for outdoor events
If you are planning for an outdoor engagement party, do check on the weather. Choose the outdoor barbecue or picnic area where you can gather your small party at the eleventh hour to a sheltered bar or restaurant and continue your party. Another option would be to rent a tent to cover the outdoor area. The decision to rent the tent will need to be made 5-7 days in advance due to most rental company policies.
4. Planning for the engagement party food
There are many components which go into creating your engagement party. One of the most important parts of an engagement party is the food. Take time to make a list of the items you will serve and always consider a caterer as you will not want to be in the kitchen cooking it yourself.
5. Photography and videographer
Although this is not the wedding day, pictures do tell a thousand words and they do last a long time. Depending on your budget, you can choose to get your friends and relatives to take pictures and capture your special moments on video camera or get a professional to do both photography and video for both events (your engagement and wedding). This may also be fun to display the pictures or video at the wedding.
6. What to wear to an engagement party
You don’t want to wear something elaborate or similar to your wedding. Consider colors, smart casuals for beach and outdoor and evening gowns for a glamour night out. It all depends on the theme of your engagement party really. Some prefer the free and easy for all, no fuss just, focus on the happy couple.
7. Asking your bridal party
What better opportunity to take a moment to recognize those who are most important to you. You could also find a fun way to ask them with a unique gift or card or give a toast to each of them.
8. The Invitation