E-party?

This morning as I was getting ready for work my fiance asked me if I'd like to throw an Engagement party BBQ next month. We're really on a tight budget when it comes to wedding events for right now so an elaborate party is out of the question. But his dad has a nice sized backyard and we could actually turn it into a really nice evening under the stars! Plus we've already been engaged for 2 months and everyone keeps asking us when we're gonna throw an engagement party...

I was wondering do I need to have favors? This IS our official engagement Party so I don't know if it's customary to have them for all our attendees. ALSO-since it's a BBQ I'm sure people are going to ask what they can help w/or bring. Should I accept their offers? Is asking friends to bring hot dogs; drinks etc proper etiquette? Even though technically they are offering?? Do I need to hire a bartender?? Or can everyone just serve their own drinks?

Also-do we need to do any formal acknowledgements? Like who we want in our bridal party?? I've only been to 2 other e-parties before; one was SUPER formal at a hall with the full recession of bridal party members; and the other totally opposite and was basically just a party at a lounge so I'm not exactly sure what to do? Sorry for the long post!
Thanks for your help ladies!

Hi! I think if can be as formal or informal as you want. FH and I had a small engagement party at my parents' house with just immediate family and some fam friends. My mom got food catered from a local pizzeria..we had 2 pasta dishes, pizza, chicken dish, meatballs, salad, bread and then an engagment cake. Some guests brought desserts with them as well. We had a drink table with alcohol and soda and guests served themselves. When a bottle finished my dad went to get more in the cellar. It was very informal and just my taste! My mom decorated with balloons and in my wedding colors. At the time, I did not have my bridal party decided on so I didn't do anything special in the way of acknowledgements of bridesmaids or groomsmen.

I think a BBQ night is a great idea!! i would set up a drink table and a cooler with some beer maybe and let guests make it themselves. If you are tight on $ there is noooo reason to hire a bartender. Also for music you can make a pre-set ipod list and have it playing throughout. I think it is completely up to you to take offers from friends and family. if it is more on the informal side, i see nothing wrong with some people bringing cups or hotdogs for example. This is just in my opinion though. You will find many girls on here that would not go for that but there are no rules.

I do think you should get small favors though even if it's informal. Our party was right at the start of spring so my mom gave out 1 plant per couple and a knee pad for gardening (came in diff colors). For kids we had an easter egg hunt and they kept the chocolate from their eggs. I'm glad we gave little favors even if it was just my family b/c we ended up receiving lots of unexpected gifts and plus it's just a polite thing to do in general.

SORRY for the length and hope this helps!

yay! congrats!

i think you can do whatever you want with everything!!! I think a cooler would be just fine, and the ipod idea sandy mentioned is perfect!

as far as favors....maybe just a small something...i reccomend morgan's bay confections! they make amazing choc truffles and have so many boxes to choose from! they are also super affordable!! they are now a vendor on here! you can fm me for any details! They are also great people!


xo

I just had a BBQ eparty. We did it in a park, and it turned out wonderful! We had it catered by Fireside Caterers (and I highly reccomened them- they are also very affordable!!). You could always have friends/family bring dishes..but getting it catered helps alleviate some stress.

For favors, I did DIY. SInce were did a Yankee themed party, I made up bags filled with peanuts.



For Bridal Party acknowledgement, I got frames from the dollar tree and did a 'meet our bridal party' table. This included pics of us with each of our bridal party members.



I have more pics on this thread

Good luck!!!

Thanks for all the great ideas! We'll definitely have the BBQ catered but also have the staple BBQ foods like hotdogs & hamburgers and different salads.

I'm going to do some searches online today for good favor ideas. I don't like chocolate and since it will be outside I probably won't do any chocolate favors or truffles but I could do some other form of candy.

My fiance is close friends with a DJ but if we can't get him we'll definitely do the iPod!

I'm just a little bummed because we're planning this party and my sister just moved out of state. Not sure if she'll be able to make it up for the party :( But she doesn't want us NOT to have it just because of her.

Hey,
Congrats! I'm having a backyard eparty also at the end of August. We aren't doing BBQ, but I think its a really cute idea that you can get creative with! My mom & FMIL are cooking everything (FH & I come from very Italian families so our mom's want to cook lol). We did hire a waitress & rented tables & chairs. Other than that, we are doing everything ourselves.

As for favors, I'm keeping it simple. Me & my mom love to make chocolate- so I'm making my own chocolates & putting them in cute boxes.

I don't think you need a bartender. We are going to set up a table with a mixer, beer, liquors, dressings (limes, lemons, cherries) & guests can serve themselves.

As for the bridal party, we are not announcing our bridal party until around the holidays. Besides family, those friends that were invited to the party will more than likely have some part in our wedding. The only members of the bridal party we have announced is my MOH (which is my sister) & his BM (which is his cousin).

I think you're eparty, just like your wedding, should be whatever you want it to be. I think whether its at a hall, a restaurant, a park or your backyard, your eparty, wedding, & all other celebrations involved in this amazing time in all of our lives, is special regardless of how formal it is. Have fun with it & enjoy!

Good Luck- Let me know if you need any help/suggestions!

Bump for VCanizalez


It's SummerBride10-she's got pic's in her album of her Park E-party-not sure where she had it though.

Shout out to Summerbride10! Thanks!

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Posted by Notwedyet08

Bump for VCanizalez


It's SummerBride10-she's got pic's in her album of her Park E-party-not sure where she had it though.

Shout out to Summerbride10! Thanks!

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Thanks Chica...
I FM her!!!