An engagement party is a wonderful way to celebrate the exciting journey toward marriage. And, this special occasion is an opportunity to bring family and your closest friends together to share in your joy.

If you're considering hosting an engagement party, this guide will walk you through the essential elements to ensure it's a memorable occasion for everyone involved.

Is an Engagement Party Right for You?

There are good reasons to host an engagement party, but also a few drawbacks to keep in mind.

Some of the upsides of engagement parties include:

Celebration of Love

Engagement parties allow friends and family to join in the celebration of your love and upcoming marriage.

Intimate Gathering

The celebration provides an opportunity for a more intimate gathering before the larger wedding event.

Formal Introduction

An engagement function gives couples a chance to formally introduce families and friends who may not have met before.

Engagement party downsides include the following:

Added Expense

Another event means added expenses, so consider your budget before committing to and planning an engagement party.

Logistical Considerations

Planning multiple events may be challenging, especially if you have a short engagement period.

When do you have an engagement party?

Typically, engagement parties are held one to three months after the proposal. This gives you time to announce your big news before sending formal wedding invitations.

Consider timing and look at your wedding planning timeline when choosing a date.

Selecting a Venue

Choose a venue that aligns with the atmosphere you want. It could be a cozy backyard gathering, a private room at an elegant restaurant, or an event venue.

Consider the number of guests and the overall vibe you want to create as you narrow down choices.

Who Should Host the Party?

While you can host your own engagement party, traditionally, the bride's parents host this event.

Friends or other family members handle the event planning, too.

Budgeting and Expenses

Establish a budget early on to guide your planning process. Consider expenses such as venue rental, catering, decorations, and entertainment.

Invitations and Guest List

Send out invitations well in advance, ensuring guests have enough time to RSVP.

Your engagement party guest list can include close friends, family, and anyone who will play a significant role in your wedding.

It's fine to have a bigger engagement party guest list than your wedding invite list.

What to Wear: Set Expectations

Provide dress code details on your engagement party invitations so guests can plan their attire.

Casual, cocktail attire or black-tie optional are common options.

Food and Drinks

Offer an assortment of passed hors d'oeuvres or display them in an appetizing spread. Popular options include:

-Meatballs

-Stuffed mushrooms

-Bruschetta

-Mini quiches

-Cheese and fruit skewers

-Shrimp cocktail

-Pinwheels or tea sandwiches

-Chicken satay

-Bacon-wrapped dates

-Mini crab cakes

If you're offering a seated dinner, opt for crowd-pleasing entrees like pasta, chicken, salmon, or steak. Consider buffet stations so guests can easily serve themselves. Some full meal ideas include:

-Pasta bar with different sauces and toppings

-Taco/nacho bar with all the fixings

-Slider or mini sandwich bar

-Salad bar with protein additions like chicken or shrimp

-Interactive stations with made-to-order menus

Don't forget desserts: Sweet treats like cupcakes, a cake or pie bar, or an ice cream sundae station make fun additions. Opt for bite-sized desserts or small servings so guests can sample a variety.

For drinks, consider hiring a bartender to serve beer, wine, champagne, and signature cocktails. Offer non-alcoholic options too.

Your Engagement Party Theme

A theme can help set the tone and style of your party.

Try an engagement party theme that reflects your personalities or complements your wedding theme.

Some ideas:

-Back garden barbecue: Set up picnic tables, hang string lights, and serve classic barbecue cuisine. Provide lawn games like cornhole.

-Retro cocktail party: Play oldies music, serve classic cocktails and finger foods, and encourage vintage attire. Decorate with retro decor.

-Mexican fiesta: Serve tacos, margaritas, and other south-of-the-border food. Add festive flowers, paper banners, and piñatas. Play Latin music.

-Luau: Set a tropical vibe with tiki torches, leis, and Hawaiian cuisine. Incorporate grass skirts, limbo, and beachy music.

Dessert party: Fill the room with sweet treats like a sundae bar, cake pop tower, or rows of macarons.

Black & white formal: Require black and white attire and serve elegant appetizers. Choose accent colors like gold or pink for a classy look.

Entertainment

Plan entertainment that enhances the celebratory atmosphere.

This could be a live band, a DJ, or a playlist curated for the occasion.

Fun Engagement Party Games

Engagement parties are all about bringing people together to celebrate the couple. Adding some interactive games can encourage guests to mingle and get to know one another.

Some ideas for fun engagement party games include:

-The Newlywed Game: The bride-to-be and future groom are asked questions about each other, and the engagement party guests guess the answers.

-Wedding Trivia: This game tests guests' knowledge of wedding traditions.

-Wedding Mad Libs: Hand out funny Mad Lib stories with blanks for guests to fill in. Read the silly stories aloud.

-Find the Guest: Hand out clues describing each guest and have people mingle to figure out who it is referencing.

-Wedding Advice Cards: Supply note cards for guests to write down marriage tips for the newly engaged couple. Share the funniest bits of advice.

Engagement Party Decorations

Engagement party decor doesn't have to be over-the-top.

Possibilities include string lights, balloons, flower arrangements, a photo backdrop, engagement photo displays, and fabric drapery.

Use colors and props that tie into your theme.

Toasts

Designate time for speeches and toasts to express gratitude and share anecdotes. Make sure that key people, such as parents and close friends, have an opportunity to speak.

Follow Etiquette Rules

Don't use the party to fish for gifts or wedding RSVPs. Send handwritten thank-you notes to guests and hosts after the event.

More Tips and Engagement Party Ideas

Photography and Memories

Consider hiring a photographer or designate someone to capture moments throughout the party.

Gifts

While gifts are not mandatory, some guests may bring them. Be prepared with a designated area for gifts.

Relax and Enjoy

Most importantly, relax and enjoy the celebration. It's a time for joy and anticipation, so savor every moment.

The Bell Tower on 34th is a Houston wedding venue where team members are committed to delivering excellent events that no one will ever forget.

Our venue near Cypress, TX, offers complete event planning and works closely with newly engagement couples to help them realize their wedding vision.

Learn about holding a wedding here.

The Bell Tower on 34th

901 W 34th St, Houston, TX 77018

(713) 868-2355