Did you have an engagement party? Especially OOT brides..

Hey Everyone,

I've been reading some old threads and sometimes I feel as if I'm missing so much of the wedding process because I'm an OOT bride. I live in Chicago, so I can't get back to NYC until Christmas, so I'm basically asking my MOH (sister) and parents to check out all my vendors.

SOrry for babbling, now to the point of the post:
OK, FH and I didn't have an engagement party and now I'm like damn maybe we should have because basically I've been spreading the word to family as I see them. We've been engaged since Feb. 2003 and I think that most of our family know, but is it ever too late to have an engagement party?
I guess it is because everyone knows already.... Are engagement parties typical? Is there anyway that I can throw one when I go back to NYC for Christmas or should I just take an L on it.

I'm soooo sad. I just want to experience all the things that most brides do. Does anyone else feel (felt) like this...

Re: Did you have an engagement party? Especially OOT brides..

Since you've been engaged for over a year and a half and you're getting married in 9 months, yes, I think it's too late for an e-party. Send out save the dates - that'll do the trick.

ETA: I did not have an engagement party and I am not an OOT bride. Most people that I know don't, although I did have one to go to for a friend.

Re: Did you have an engagement party? Especially OOT brides..

I had one because i choice not to have a bridal shower. I wanted FH to be able to share in the celebration of our engagement, plus i wanted both families to meet so i didnt spend my whole wedding day introducing everyone

Re: Did you have an engagement party? Especially OOT brides..

I'm an oot bride and we had an engagement party... mostly at the insistance of my fmil though

We had it about a year before hand (and a year after we got engaged). 9 months might be cutting it close, but you could always have a dinner or something w/ close family and friends.

Good luck :)

Re: Did you have an engagement party? Especially OOT brides..

I am having one at the end of October. Initially I wasn't going to, but had a bunch of people ask if we were going to and then figured why not.

9 months might be too close though.

Re: Did you have an engagement party? Especially OOT brides..

We didn't and we're not OOT. We were going to but it just became more of a hassle and a pain in the a$$. We just got to the point where we couldn't be bothered.

Re: Did you have an engagement party? Especially OOT brides..

Ok, I feel a little better because I'm not the only one that did not have an e-party.

Thanks ladies.

Re: Did you have an engagement party? Especially OOT brides..

i agree that you are probably cutting it too close with 9months before the wedding.

An intimate dnner with the two families might be nice!

Re: Did you have an engagement party? Especially OOT brides..

We gave our daughter and fsil one. It was an either or situation. Either a Bridal Shower or an e-party. They chose the e-party because they just bought a house and need all the basics now not 2 weeks before the wedding in July. Her BM's can throw a bachlorett party or a day at the spa and dinner or something for her but not a shower. That to me seems tacky asking for all those Gifts. What is your consensus ladies?

Re: Did you have an engagement party? Especially OOT brides..

No i didnt have one. I felt like everyone would think i was just haivng one to get gifts! plus i just didnt think i needed one. no regrets

Re: Did you have an engagement party? Especially OOT brides..

I live out of town too but we managed to have dinners with both families to celebrate in lieu of a party. It just seemed like a big bother. I'm trying to gear up to spend 30000 on this wedding day

Re: Did you have an engagement party? Especially OOT brides..

Yes we had one at an Italian restaurant on a Saturday afternoon with 45 friends and family. It was fun for everyone to hang out and have a good time.

Kim

Re: Did you have an engagement party? Especially OOT brides..

No we decided not to have one.

Re: Did you have an engagement party? Especially OOT brides..

We had one. I was living in MA at the same time, thats where I'm from. I live in Queens now w/ my FH, he's from Queens. At the time I was planning my engagement party from MA and it wasn't easy, finally we found a place w/ excellent food. I had OOT guests come from MA and all my FH family and friends live in NY so it wasn't a prob. I knew of some people who were having engagement parties here and I thought it would be a nice idea. They really are not popular in MA. There are also many people who don't have engagement parties either way it really isn't something that has to be part of the process. We payed for part of it and my parents payed the rest. We ended up making more money in gifts than what was spent for the party, which was nice for us.

Re: Did you have an engagement party? Especially OOT brides..

We didn't have one.
And other than the gifts, I don't think I missed anything...

Honestly, if you really want one, have one! So what that you have been engaged for a while? You can still celebrate your engagement!

Re: Did you have an engagement party? Especially OOT brides..

My friends threw me a small friends only party. I feel like I missed out but my family doesn't like them and his family is very far OOT. Oh well.