Engagement Parties

So I had originally wanted to have an engagement party. I wanted to keep it small, with just close family and friends. Once I told my family about it, they were very negative. (FH's family was fine with it). My family has been saying that i shouldn't do it because then people feel obligated to give a gift, its too close to the wedding (we are getting married next March), its tacky, too expensive, and so on. My sister is also getting married next year too and didn't have an engagement party (bc she didn't want one), so I feel like since she didn't now people think I shouldn't... idk.

So after hearing all of this.. now I don't know what to do. Is anyone not having an engagement party? Does anyone have any views on it? TIA!

I had one about 2.5 months after I got engaged... but you can have one whenever.
I was getting gifts from my family and family friends even before I decided to have one, so I don't think it's 'asking for presents'.
It's a way to celebrate you guys before your actual wedding.
If you want one... I say do it!

We had an engagement party about a month after we got engaged.... I actually didn't want one for the same reasons that your family doesn't want you to have one. I felt it was asking too much of people and 'asking' for gifts. My fiance's parents wanted us to have one though, so we did. It wound up being really nice though to just get all of our friends and families together to meet and mingle before the wedding. Our wedding date was almost two years away at that point, so it wasn't close at all.

If you want one, then do it. I wouldn't not have one just because your sister isn't. You only (hopefully haha) have one engagement and one wedding, so do what you want to do!

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Posted by 2013Bride

We had an engagement party about a month after we got engaged.... I actually didn't want one for the same reasons that your family doesn't want you to have one. I felt it was asking too much of people and 'asking' for gifts. My fiance's parents wanted us to have one though, so we did. It wound up being really nice though to just get all of our friends and families together to meet and mingle before the wedding. Our wedding date was almost two years away at that point, so it wasn't close at all.

If you want one, then do it. I wouldn't not have one just because your sister isn't. You only (hopefully haha) have one engagement and one wedding, so do what you want to do!

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I had a very similar experience. Didn't really want one. Mom thought we should have one. We kept it small and it was a great way to get our bridal party and families familiar with each other before the wedding. It's totally optional though. No one will think twice if you don't have one.

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Posted by mf324

So I had originally wanted to have an engagement party. I wanted to keep it small, with just close family and friends. Once I told my family about it, they were very negative. (FH's family was fine with it). My family has been saying that i shouldn't do it because then people feel obligated to give a gift, its too close to the wedding (we are getting married next March), its tacky, too expensive, and so on. My sister is also getting married next year too and didn't have an engagement party (bc she didn't want one), so I feel like since she didn't now people think I shouldn't... idk.

So after hearing all of this.. now I don't know what to do. Is anyone not having an engagement party? Does anyone have any views on it? TIA!

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i wanted one too but my family feels the same!!

It's all about what you want...if you want to have an E-Party, then do it! You can tell everyone not to bring a gift, if the family is worried about the cost. Did you register yet? Your guests can also get you something off your registry that isn't too expensive.

We were engaged May 2011 and had our E-Party in Aug 2011. We are getting married in March 2013. I really wanted to have an E-Party because my family is out of state, so I wanted to a party so both sides could meet.

You only get one wedding. Good luck!

I am planning one with my mother for June and instead of calling it an Engagement Party we have labeled it a meet and Greet. Just to get ride of the 'we want gifts.' many family members have made that comment..

As much as We are the bride we still have to hear everyone's comments.

thanks everyone!
I like the idea of a meet and greet-- because that was actually why i wanted to do it too- my FH's family and mine have not really met- and some people in the bridal party don't know each other too well- so i thought itd be nice in that way.
i will have to think more about it.

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Posted by kdkaboom38

I am planning one with my mother for June and instead of calling it an Engagement Party we have labeled it a meet and Greet. Just to get ride of the 'we want gifts.' many family members have made that comment..

As much as We are the bride we still have to hear everyone's comments.

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That's a great solution!