Day Engagement Party??

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Posted by brideinstride

If I could continue to party with my friends till at least 10p-11pm at night, then I wouldn't mind at all! But she has stressed that she does not want the party to be all night - that means 11pm, and she is extremely worried that someone will drink and drive leaving her house making her liable - which leads into the reason she told me that I have to stay sober making sure that everyone that is driving is sober. So it would be a 4 hour party and then it would be over. And I would have to stay sober at my own engagement party! This is a big part of my 'boring backyard party' dilemma

Thank you all for your input and great pointers. I am trying to find a fair compromise and you are all helping me to do so! Thanks!

Any more suggestions?

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Do it on a saturday, and go out AFTERWARDS.

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Posted by KPAC

If you don't mind me asking- how old are you? I'm assuming you are over 21 and all of your friends are right? Then they should be responsible enough to attend a party and have someone sober drive them home. I understand your mom is worriedsince she is hosting, but it isn't like you are throwing a party for 18 yr olds! (well i don't think you are)

You should be able to have a few cocktails to enjoy yourself! If you friends are in their 20-30's they should know when they shouldn't be driving home. i know 11 PM is 'early' but honestly, drinking during the day is the best anways! ha ha

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You are right on, and you can tell my mother this till you are blue in the face, but she has always worried and no matter how old I am or how mature and responsible me and my friends are, she will continue to worry...so hopefully I can convince her of this, but it's not easy, so I am trying to figure out a way to make a great 4 hour backyard party if she doesn't budge or it turns into a fight...which I don't want to happen since I do appreciate her giving this to us.

Our engagement party was a brunch at a restaurant on a Sunday afternoon. It started at 11 o'clock.

We really just had the party because I wanted our families to meet before the shower & wedding (my family is HUGE, his family is very small).

It was casual and laid back and comfortable, and everything I wanted it to be.

It sounds like you're looking for something different than that though ...

A brunch sounds like a good idea. I mentioned it to FH and he seems to think that it is a good resolution to a nice classy party if it has to end early. And then a possible drive out to the wineries. We also talked about having everyone going out afterwards if it ends at 8pm - so that too is an option. I'm not set on any one idea, I just want to make sure it's worth the money to have it and worth the time for people to travel. My family does the same backyard boring party at every event. Everyone comes, sits around a bowl of chips with the people they came with, they eat have cake and coffee and then their off!

Again, I really appreciate everyone's input! It's helping me to come up with some great ideas and keeping me calm along the way!

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Posted by LaurenMichele

We just had our engagement party this past weekend in my backyard inside a heated tent. We had about 80ppl. It started at 3pm but a lot didn't start showing till about 4 or so-- it was great! I think the last group of ppl to leave (of course our friends) was 1am. Starting earlier makes the party longer!

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That's one of my big problems, my mother wants everyone out by 8pm. I would love to have it till 1am...I would be happy with 11pm, but I can't really argue too much if she is throwing it for us at her house. So this is why I need to come up with a fun idea for 4 hour backyard party.

Just got an e-mail from my mother. She told me that 10pm is too late to have a party till and she doesn't want to have this big party with a tent and 40 of my closest friends. I guess I'll do the brunch with just family and call it a day!

Thanks again everyone!