Should you have an Engagement Party

SimHawk8 Posted: Feb 06, 2010 11:16 PM

Should you have an Engagement Party

I'm not sure wheter or not we are having an engagement party. I am trying to figure out if it worth it. Are you having one? Who usually pays for it? Is it really necessary? How long do you have to have an engagement party?

NYBride Posted: Feb 06, 2010 11:22 PM

Re: Should you have an Engagement Party

Its a fundraiser. I believe the parents pay, whether its 50/50 or if just one set of parnets pay. FH and I opened our first joint account with that money.

Its worth it, fun and everyone gets familiar, its the first of many different occassions...

FutureMcBride Posted: Feb 06, 2010 11:25 PM

Re: Should you have an Engagement Party

We definitely want to have one. Especially since our wedding is so far away, we want to have a party so all of our friends and family can celebrate our engagement with us. We aren't doing anything too fancy, some people have really expensive engagement parties, but we just want to have it at my parents' house. We will rent a tent, tables, a bar, hire a bartender and cater food. We did this for my dad's retirement party and it was a blast.

You could also have a small one at a restaurant or something and only have 20-30 people!

ETA my parents and us will most likely pay for it

MikesBride2B Posted: Feb 06, 2010 11:25 PM

Re: Should you have an Engagement Party

We didn't have one...it felt excessive to us.

cmrcmr0430 Posted: Feb 06, 2010 11:26 PM

Re: Should you have an Engagement Party

I had an Engagement Party on May 20th, a year before my wedding. It was kept simple and in my SIL's backyard. My husband and I paid for most of it. My Mom helped out with some things too. We had hors devoures, wine and catered hot food. It was nice....I only invited the Bridal Party and significant others and immediate family....We had a Valentine's Day theme in May because not only is it my favorite holiday...but I LOVE the colors!!

Having an Engagement Party is the best opportunity for everyone to chat and get to know one another...the Bridal Party shared some ideas about our Wedding too!

Happy Planning!!

leesah85 Posted: Feb 06, 2010 11:37 PM

Re: Should you have an Engagement Party

We're having one but we're just inviting our immediate families to a nice restaurant and both sets of parents are splitting the cost since my FH and I are paying for the whole wedding.

cc2011 Posted: Feb 06, 2010 11:38 PM

Re: Should you have an Engagement Party

Posted by leesah85

We're having one but we're just inviting our immediate families to a nice restaurant and both sets of parents are splitting the cost since my FH and I are paying for the whole wedding.

Same thing.

CloudNine Posted: Feb 06, 2010 11:42 PM

Re: Should you have an Engagement Party

we had one since we were going to be engaged for 2 years. we had it 3 months after we were engaged. it was a gift from my parents

ttdiff11 Posted: Feb 07, 2010 10:16 AM

Re: Should you have an Engagement Party

i had one and it was soooo worth it, my parents paid for it. it def turned into a mini wedding but it was so much fun and i wouldnt change a thing.

mybabylovesmoi Posted: Feb 07, 2010 10:20 AM

Re: Should you have an Engagement Party

I'm on the fence about it. I feel like it would be nice but not neccesary and extra money that could kick it up for the actual wedding? FH and I may have a casual engagement/housewarming BBQ in the summer if we have one at all.

AngnShaun Posted: Feb 07, 2010 10:26 AM

Re: Should you have an Engagement Party

we didnt have one... not a fan... we had a short engagement as well

rdubs Posted: Feb 07, 2010 11:15 AM

Re: Should you have an Engagement Party

FH's parents offered to have one but we declined and asked them to put it towards the wedding. On the other hand, I love parties so if someone is willing to throw it for you, go for it!

JLWSJC Posted: Feb 07, 2010 11:21 AM

Re: Should you have an Engagement Party

We're having a long engagement, but we felt the oney our parents would put towards the aprty would be better used for the wedding itself. It's sad to look at it this way, but we didn't think we'd make the same funds back in gifts if we had a party and we're both so busy we decided against it.

We sent out announcements in lieu of a party so that out OOT relatives and friends would a) know we were engaged and b) be able to see a photo of FH/FW. We did wind up getting some gifts as well as a response to the announcements, which was not the intention.

MrsVtoBe Posted: Feb 07, 2010 11:27 AM

Re: Should you have an Engagement Party

We're having one next month. Its going to be at a room in FH fire house. We are getting it catered and having a DJ. We invited about 85 people, family and friends. My parents are paying for catering and DJ, his parents are paying for bar bill and cake. We are paying for the rest.
It's not going to be a fancy party. We just wanted to get everyone together to party and have a good time.

We plan on putting the money in our joint account and use it towards the wedding.

eshenn Posted: Feb 07, 2010 11:41 AM

Re: Should you have an Engagement Party

We had 2!!
Both were low key. One was at a clubhouse of a high rise (Florida) and the other was in my finace's backyard.
It was so nice to see everyone together.
I think it's a good chance for family socialization.

Roccosgirl Posted: Feb 07, 2010 11:49 AM

Re: Should you have an Engagement Party

Posted by MikesBride2B

We didn't have one...it felt excessive to us.

we felt the same way

Chanwich Posted: Feb 07, 2010 01:17 PM

Re: Should you have an Engagement Party

we are having a really low key one. I don't want a mini wedding. We are just having a BBQ in the backyard with immediate family and close friends. My parents are paying for it, but we are just having it catered by the local deli because thats what we want. I don't think it has to be anything fancy and super expensive if you don't want it to be

Ray8183 Posted: Feb 07, 2010 02:49 PM

Re: Should you have an Engagement Party

We had one, it's was like a mini wedding dancing, cake etc. It was at the Elks club in Massapequa, LI. We paid for it ourselves. There are many places to have an e-party and not break the bank.