To have an engagement party or not

NPenak13 Posted: Feb 26, 2012 11:10 PM

To have an engagement party or not

So, we were hoping to be married this coming January 2013, but it doesn't look so promising due to some personal money things.... but so the plans for the wedding are completely up in the air right now. we have no idea what we are going to do....we finally were able to save some money and now are thinking about having our engmt party, to have some fun, and kind of relax a little.
We were engaged August 21st.... We are wondering if it's worth having an engmt party or not.....
If we lay out the money for this party will we end up getting it back in gifts? or are we gonna just be losing money. Even though it will be a blast....is it worth it? Should we rent an American legion/knights of columbus......get a dj and do a buffet style?? or should we have a sit down dinner? or anything at all?!!
What is everyones thoughts??
Thanks in advance for ALL your input!!!!

futuremorasse Posted: Feb 26, 2012 11:37 PM

Re: To have an engagement party or not

I think it was worth it! I loved getting both of our families together. We just had a nice dinner at FH parents house in the backyard and had the food catered. It was a very casual thing, but everyone had a good time and we got some nice things and made a little extra money than we spent. All in all I think if you want to, go for it!!

mattandjess2013 Posted: Feb 27, 2012 07:13 AM

Re: To have an engagement party or not

If you are worried about the money, why don't you have it at someone's house and either have it catered or make the food yourself? FH & I got engaged in November and haven't really had time to have one, but will probably just do a small bbq this summer as an 'engagement party'. Something simple and easy.

4Everhisgirl Posted: Feb 27, 2012 10:28 AM

Re: To have an engagement party or not

Funny...I got engaged August 15 and I'm getting married January 2013..lol.
IMO i don't think an engagement party is necessary unless you really want want and you have the extra cash!

DB2013 Posted: Feb 27, 2012 10:37 AM

Re: To have an engagement party or not

Posted by mattandjess2013

If you are worried about the money, why don't you have it at someone's house and either have it catered or make the food yourself? FH & I got engaged in November and haven't really had time to have one, but will probably just do a small bbq this summer as an 'engagement party'. Something simple and easy.

Totally Agree!

We are having our engagement party this weekend. All of the food is being made by myself, my mom or my future mother in law and we are having it at a hall for like next to nothing. Everything is simple and just a chance for the families to get together.

ndeokinanan Posted: Feb 27, 2012 10:46 AM

Re: To have an engagement party or not

I did not have an engagement party and I do not miss it. I was able to save some extra money and stress

Bride2Be78 Posted: Feb 27, 2012 10:53 AM

Re: To have an engagement party or not

Posted by ndeokinanan

I did not have an engagement party and I do not miss it. I was able to save some extra money and stress

This!! Save your money or if your heart is really set on it do a backyward thing in the summer.

I didn't have an engagement party and didn't miss it. You still have your bridal shower

Bride2013 Posted: Feb 27, 2012 10:57 AM

Re: To have an engagement party or not

We decided not to have one to save money. Sometimes even getting food catered adds up! However, the idea of having everyone get together is priceless!

pixietina Posted: Feb 27, 2012 11:48 AM

Re: To have an engagement party or not

I did a bbq engagement party and no one gave gifts except my mother since I told everyone to chip in buying snacks and soda. I ended up having alot left over because everyone brought something. It was cheap about 300 bucks with food and decorations. Didn't need music or games and it was a great time.

Evan820 Posted: Feb 27, 2012 03:19 PM

Re: To have an engagement party or not

we had a party at a restaurant 7mnts after we got engaged (i got sort of sick in the middle, so we waited a while) it was fun, but a bit stressful. we also really didn't get money gifts- mostly we got a lot of our registry stuff. It's up to you if you want to spend the money, but don't go in thinking you will make it back.

csteen85 Posted: Feb 27, 2012 04:22 PM

Re: To have an engagement party or not

We didn't have one. We wanted to put all our resources towards saving for the wedding. We did have a really fun BBQ with our friends where we asked them to be in our Bridal Party, but it wasn't an engagement party.

We haven't missed it. We've really enjoyed having all the extra time and money to put towards the wedding.

LaBellaVita7712 Posted: Feb 27, 2012 08:18 PM

Re: To have an engagement party or not

We did not have an engagement party. I personally didn't want one and was not about to pay for my own anyhow.

gicrespo Posted: Feb 27, 2012 08:53 PM

Re: To have an engagement party or not

I would totally do a small low key engagement party. For ours, we did a bbq with his immediate family and mine. We did get a couple gifts tho. I dont regret it at all because it was nice just having the two families there.

Kristin31613 Posted: Feb 27, 2012 09:03 PM

Re: To have an engagement party or not

My parents offered us a gift toward the wedding or an engagement party. I chose their gift bc I knew it would be more than we would make at an engagement party.

NPenak13 Posted: Feb 27, 2012 09:50 PM

Re: To have an engagement party or not

Thanks everyone this has been very helpful!

Sabellabride12 Posted: Feb 27, 2012 10:32 PM

Re: To have an engagement party or not

I wouldn't throw one for myself because I would rather save the money and put it towards the wedding itself but if someone were to throw one for us I would never turn it down. I know that my FMIL has made some comments about having a BBQ in the spring/summer to get them families together and celebrate, which would be really nice. Any gifts would just be icing on the cake.

nyrvixen Posted: Feb 27, 2012 10:36 PM

Re: To have an engagement party or not

we had a small e-party at a restaurant and it was so much fun and def. worth it

lisak Posted: Feb 28, 2012 06:51 PM

Re: To have an engagement party or not

I had an engagement party and loved it...its hard to tell if its going to pay for its self or not because that's based on your guests. But I knew if I didn't have one I would have regretted it...good luck with your decision

Nichelmus Posted: Feb 28, 2012 07:19 PM

Re: To have an engagement party or not

I had one and we had such a fun time. We had to have one because our families are never really was around each other and i wanted on my wedding day for everyone to know each other. We had a party of about 100, catered food and a dj. We didn't get all the money back (we weren't expecting it). We just wanted our families and friends to get to know each other more and it worked. Everyone left excited to see how the wedding will be. We got gifts, money and cards and some didn't even give a card. So keep that in mind.

Our engagement party was not unil 9/10/11 (funny date)

We had a great time and I would always remember it.

If you can have it at a friends house or backyard go for it.

Jmrosa1 Posted: Feb 28, 2012 08:50 PM

Re: To have an engagement party or not

Posted by Bride2Be78

Posted by ndeokinanan

I did not have an engagement party and I do not miss it. I was able to save some extra money and stress

This!! Save your money or if your heart is really set on it do a backyward thing in the summer.

I didn't have an engagement party and didn't miss it. You still have your bridal shower

Even though we planned our wedding in 6 months we did not have an e-party and did not miss it either.