Engagement party Questions and place needed in Queens (somewhere cheap)

I'm looking into having an engagement party. I'm not sure if we will because we will be paying for our wedding ourselves and need the money for our wedding. I was thinking of maybe having a small engagement party to celebrate so I don't feel like I missed out on anything. What's the best way to have a nice but cheap engagement party? I want to have dancing but will not be able to afford a DJ, any ideas? Also if anyone can give me an idea of about how much an e-party costs per person that would be great. Does anyone have suggestions for a place in Queens for about 30-50 people? I guess I can also use a party room at a restaurant. What other costs are involved in having an e-party? Do you have to invite everyone that is going to the wedding or just the people that you know will definately go and only people that are local? Hmmm, I think I'd also just want to serve beer and wine to save money, is that tacky? When do you usually have your e-party? Is it a year before the wedding?? Thanks everyone

You usually have an eparty soon after you have gotten engaged. I believe the purpose of the party is to 1. celebrate the engagement 2. have the two families meet. You can have an eparty at a restaurant, but you can also do one at a home. I've been to both and both were equally fun.


I didn't have an eparty because the period of engagement /wedding is a little less than a year and I didn't want my family thinking I was hitting up for presents twice...

You can always do one at home...or your parents home. It's really so that the wedding party can meet and the two families can meet.

I had my BM Bruch at the Sly Fox Inn in Queens and it was great. The food there was really good. I think it was like $12 pp

I just had an eparty and it was a few months after we got engaged. It is probably going to run you between $30-$50 per person based on all the places I called. You can try to do a cocktail party instead of actually serving a buffet or sit down meal. Also, keep the invite list down to save $$. Remember anyone invited to the eparty has to be invited to the wedding. Ultimately, your cheapest option is to probably cater in and have it at someone's house.
The cost of the e-party will probably be more than money you get from gifts from people or at least that was our experience. Also, we received mostly gifts (no money) from people.