Engagement Party Planning--long

Engagement Party Planning--long

Since this part of the wedding planning is coming up, I am asking for some help on this.
I haven't been to a wedding in a few years- I am not kidding! So I have no idea where to begin and what to do. But this year is the yr of weddings for me so I can take some notes but no one is having an engagement party b/c of time. Besides the sending of invitations (do these have to match the style of the wedding invitations) what else is necessary? The toast I got but who does that usually? My dad will probably say something. I have read in past posts on doing a BBQ w/ keg which is what I plan on doing. Makes it easier I guess. This may seem dumb to ask but who exactly does the BBQing? I would rather get help than to have my dad with his apron on standing at the grill the entire day! Although he wouldn't mind but I want him to enjoy himself.
Thanks all for the advice and suggestions!
Wanda

Engagement Party Planning--long

I think formal engagement parties have fallen out of favor due to shower and wedding gifts,etc., but the BBQ idea still sounds good. No, the invitations absolutely do not have to match the wedding ones, in fact for a BBQ should be way more informal. Could you afford to have it catered so no one in your family has to worry about the bbq-ing? You could also pre-prepare foods like pasta, hot dogs and hamburgers, etc. and put them in aluminum chafing dishes (somewhere where it's not too windy) and people could serve themselves. good luck! Also - it's been posted a few times, the reviews seem to be split on whether or not to register before the engagement party and if so whether to put the registry announcement in the invite. My vote is go ahead and register, but don't put the announcement in, but that's just my opinion! good luck!

Engagement Party Planning--long

We had a BBQ engagement party. My FI godparents hosted the party, so his Godfather and a family friend did all the cooking. I think they also just liked playing host.

Engagement Party Planning--long

Your e-party should be a bit more casual than your wedding. I think a BBQ is a great idea! My suggestion is to hire a waitress to help with the party. My parents always do that and it costs about $100. Honestly, it is sooo much easier and you or your parents are not running around nearly as much. The waitress makes sure everything is served timely, heats stuff up, puts out the desserts, makes the cofee and helps clean up. Just one idea for you to consider.
Invites- I would make them fun and casual. try www.cardstore.com for them I got my e-party invites there. I did postcard invites and they even address, stamp and send the cards for you. Made my life a lot easier this way.

I registered right after I got engaged because a lot of my family was asking my Mom about it. My close family wanted to get me gifts. But not everyone invited to the party brought me a gift- which was fine. You should not open the gifts until the guests leave. My mom and sister opened the gifts the next day with me.
My Dad gave a toast and my FH said a few words as well. Basically my Dad said he is very happy for us, and welcomed Scott to our family. Scott said thank you very much to everyone for coming to our e-party and that he cannot wait until I am his wife (I teared up, I admit).

Have a great time!!

Thanks all for the suggestions! *NM*

michele31-engagement party

Thanks for the suggestions!
I was wondering how I can get some help. I was thinking of asking my sister's friends to help out but do you know of anyone I can talk to about waitressing? I would also need a bar tender. I prefer people that do this often for fear my sis's friends may spill something all over the guests!
Thanks again!

cw0904

Just e-mail me and I will send along the information. My family has used a few girls and I am sure I can find you a bartendar too. It really makes the party better for you and your Mom.
[email protected]

agree with hiring

my parents did this for our parties, otherwise my mother would not be able ot relax...

all the food was made before and only had to be heated up...

for drinks we just set up a make-sift...self-serve...bar...no problems...then people can make things the way they want...

Engagement Party Planning--long

Your engagement invitations do not have to match your wedding invitations. There is a place on Merrick Road called Christophers. They have deals where if you buy the food from them they will send someone over to BBQ. We used them for a family reunion.

bartender

you could try calling a bartending school-the all star bartending school in levittown---they keep their students on file and may be able to give you a name of one of their students for you to contact for your party

E Parties

Has anyone heard of e-party games, similar to bridal shower bingo, etc??
What do you do to keep your guests involved and busy??