Ajanta Roy

So, you just said “YES” and you flashed your ring! You happen to be engaged and now you want to announce it to your friends and family. This is when the “Engagement Party” comes into picture! An engagement party seems to be the most common way of announcing your engagement, and with all the excitement of the proposal it’s easy to become overwhelmed with even knowing where to begin! Are there specific rules to follow? Should we expect gifts? Who do we invite? Don’t panic! We’ve got all of that.

Who throws it: If you want to stick to tradition, someone in the bride’s family (usually her father) throws the engagement party; however, a good friend on either the bride or groom’s side is equally qualified. Old school protocol dictates that a couple does not throw their own party, however, that rule has been smartly tossed aside in recent years and now many couples proudly throw their own engagement parties with triumphant success.

Who’s invited: Invite close relatives, plus your bridal party and dearest friends. Don’t even think of asking someone who is not going to be invited to the wedding. On the other hand, you don’t have to invite everyone on your wedding guest list either, especially those who live out-of-town. Formal invitations are an acceptable way of informing and asking them to attend the party, but a simple phone call would also suffice depending on the formality of the event.

When to give it: To clearly designate this party as a celebration of your engagement, the gathering should be held preferably six months or more before the wedding.

Where to hold it: Totally depends on your personal style. For some, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres in an elegant restaurant is the right kind of get-together. For others, a relaxed backyard barbecue could be a better option.

What else to know: Favors are not necessary or expected. Live music is a nice touch, but discourage the host from making it too formal.

Are presents expected: Customs vary across the country, but, in general, presents are purely optional at an engagement party. If you prefer not to receive gifts, have it written in the invitation. However, it’s likely that some of your closest friends will want to bring a present. Open the presents after the party and remember to send a Thank you note!

No matter what the rules are, take comfort in knowing that if you choose not to have an engagement party, there are still many other festivities to look forward to. And if you do decide to have one, it can be one of the most stress free get-togethers associated with your wedding – one where you can sit back, relax and have an engagingly good time.