Introduction:
Engagements are a time of excitement, love, and celebration. It is a huge milestone in anyone’s life and although we have been engaged for a few months now, we wanted to have an official bash. As a self-respecting & over-excited couple would do!
This is your chance to share your happiness with family and friends and to kick off the journey to your wedding day in style. But where do you start? In this guide, we’ll walk you through the essential steps to plan an unforgettable engagement party that will set the tone for your upcoming wedding, having learned from our experience. We will give you some tips and tricks and show you how we got our event together, which turned out to be perfect for us!
Decide on a guest list and set a date:
The first step in planning your engagement party is to choose a date that works for you both and decide on your guest list. Typically, this event should take place within a few months of getting engaged, but it’s ultimately up to you. We did ours after 9 months due to logistical and financial practicalities. It was also a housewarming party as we recently bought a house after a rocky few months!
Once you’ve settled on a date, create a guest list. The size of your party will depend on your preferences and budget, but it’s typically a more intimate gathering compared to the wedding itself. Dale was totally anal about the guest list. He was practically stalking everyone for their confirmations. Chris initially thought this was a bit too extra but, it is so so necessary. Chris only appreciated this the night before the event, as it turned out we needed more food than we thought. Lol. Learn from us. Confirm your guest list in good time.
Select a Venue:
Choosing the right venue is crucial for setting the mood of your engagement party. We were lucky in the fact that this was a housewarming as well as an engagement party, therefore, we had it in the back garden. Luckily for us, it did not rain that day although we were ready to set up the marquee, should the weather disappoint. The party can be as casual as a backyard BBQ or as formal as a rented banquet hall. Consider your guest count, the atmosphere you want to create, and your budget when deciding on the perfect location. As mentioned, because it was in our backyard, we didn’t have to think of the cost or logistics of this. We want to say it saved us money but buying a house in the UK is hella expensive in the UK!
Choose a Theme:
While not necessary, selecting a theme can add a fun and cohesive element to your engagement party. This was Chris’s job as I (Dale) had no clue where to start. However, we were both on the same page about wanting it to be colourful and fun. Whether it’s a romantic garden party, a beachside bash, or a vintage-inspired soirée, pick a theme that reflects your personality as a couple. Our party reflected all the things we Love. And to be honest, we could have added more but, this is where the budget comes in. It helped us out the brakes on when it came to decking out the place. We made sure we spent on the essentials and skimped out on the non-essentials. Chris’s handmade deco made the place sparkle!
Send Invitations:
Once you’ve nailed down the date, venue, and theme, it’s time to send out invitations. As mentioned, for our party, Dale was super scrupulous about this. You can opt for traditional paper invitations, e-vites, or even create a Facebook event. Make sure to include essential details like the date, time, location, dress code (if any), and RSVP information. We decided on Whatsapp invitations as that was the most convenient mode for us. We did not have a dress code for the guests, so it was much easier. For people that were travelling a long way we made sure we sorted out accommodation. This is also something we think is important, to let your guests relax and let them know what to expect.
Plan the Menu or wing it!:
Food and drinks are essential components of any successful party. Depending on your chosen theme and budget, you can choose between a buffet, plated dinner, or a more casual spread of appetizers and cocktails. Don’t forget to consider any dietary restrictions your guests may have. While we came up with a menu, this changed a billion times during the planning and in the end we had a mix of things. We initially wanted to have one meal for everyone but Chris’s family don’t do that so it ended up being a buffet. In hindsight, I don’t know why we ever considered one meal for everyone. The buffet and BBQ was a hit! Also, Chris’s auntie came through and took over the kitchen, which was brilliant. She brought the African mama vibes to the whole affair, and we just went with the flow. There was something for everyone and most people had several rounds of food which was brilliant! As for drinks, people brought some and we had a few and it worked out quite nicely.
Lesson: do not be afraid to go with the flow.
Entertainment:
Engagement parties typically involve music and entertainment to keep the atmosphere lively. You could hire a DJ, a live band, or create a playlist of your favourite songs. We had a playlist of our favourite songs which was humming away in the background. With the number of guests, we had it was more about conversation than a dancing party. We were glad to provide the music too even though it turned out not to be the focus of the event. We would advise you to plan entertainment and be open to go with the flow of the day. This free’s you in many ways. Don’t forget that food prep can be entertainment in itself. Gather round and prepare something delicious with your loved ones.
Decor and Ambiance:
Enhance the ambiance with decorations that match your chosen theme. This can include flowers, balloons, candles, and table settings. Consider personalized touches, like a slideshow of your journey together, to add sentimental value to the décor. We chose colours that we Love and ornaments from our home. We also had a blackboard with our event title. This was the centrepiece of the event and set the tone for the event. While doing this, it was all about budget before buying. Most times your budget will determine what you do. Chris made some paper leaves and spray-painted them gold and we stuck them to our fence to give us the vibe we wanted. We also got a neon sign which added a nice touch. We got free pallets and decorated them which served as a nice table for some of the guests and offered alternative seating for others. All in all, it was a nice combination for all. Everything certainly added to the ambience of the day.
Toasts and Speeches:
Engagement parties often feature toasts and speeches. This is the time for you and your fiancé to express your gratitude and excitement. You can also invite close family and friends to say a few words if you wish. I (Dale) gave a lovely speech. From the feedback, it was heart-warming and personal and I clued everyone in on the big day. It was the best moment for me, as I had everyone’s attention and felt the Love and support from all the guests.
Capture the Moments:
Hire a photographer or designate a friend to capture the special moments throughout the evening. These photos will serve as cherished memories and can also be used for your save-the-date cards or wedding website (as we are doing). We did this ourselves, as we did not have the budget to hire someone to take pictures. We equally wanted our guests to relax so Dale was whizzing around capturing moments of everyone having fun. This was incredibly personal and fun and we have plans for those pictures which we will keep a secret for now.
Thank-You Notes and party favours:
After the party, be sure to send thank-you notes to your guests or give them on the day (as we did), showing your appreciation for their presence and any gifts they may have brought. We made sure all our guests went home with personalised party favours. These were all handed to the guests upon leaving and they very much Loved the gesture and we equally enjoyed showing our appreciation this way. We hope to send more appreciation notes via post as we did not expect the outpouring of Love through presents from our guests. At the end of the day, everyone who took the time to come to our event was a present in itself. So, we would encourage to thank them as many times as you can.
Conclusion:
Planning an engagement party is a joyful endeavour that sets the stage for your wedding celebration. By carefully considering the date, guest list, venue, theme, and other key details, you can create an unforgettable event that brings your loved ones together to celebrate your love and excitement for the journey ahead. Be sure to note that everything will not go to plan but if you have a plan it definitely eases the stress and makes the whole affair more enjoyable. So, put on your party-planning hat and get ready to celebrate this beautiful chapter in your life!