When Should We Have Our E-Party?

Sorry about that - I hit enter too soon. Take 2!

Hi Ladies!

Here's the story - my FH and I got engaged in May 2003. That summer his parents were looking for a new home, and FH was changing jobs so it was pretty crazy. His parents found a home in the fall and said that they wanted to host the party in their new home. Unfortunately, by the time they moved in, it was a few weeks before Christmas, and then we were all busy with the holidays. Now, it's February, and everyone's worried that it's too late to hold an engagement party. We want to give people a few weeks notice, so we're thinking of having it in March or April. We would prefer April b/c the weather will be nicer, but at that point, our Sept. wedding will be only 5 months away!

What do you guys think, should we have it in March, April, or is it already too late?

Thank you all for your help!

(We really don't want presents at the e-party. We want to bring both of our families together so they can get to know each other before the wedding, and so we can celebrate our engagement.)

I think it's too late for an e-party. (JMHO, I think e-parties should be closer to the engagment then the wedding).

At this point I would just invite the families to get together and meet and not give it an official title.

I think it is too late. Why dont you wait til early summer and just have a little BBQ to have a little meet and greet or use it as a house warming party for your inlaws.

I just think it is going to be too close with your shower comming up and then a wedding all within the next 8mths.

That is exactly why I didnt want one, We got engaged end of Oct. With Thanksgiving, Christmas and new years quickly following we were looking at like the earliest of Feb or march for a party and I didnt think it was the right thing to do to have an E-party, Bridal Shower and Wedding all within 8-10mth period of time. IMO i didnt think it was fair to my guests b/c it was going to seem like we were pushing for gifts.
I sent STD's out instead as kinda an announcement and everyday I get another engagement present from someone.

Thanks for your responses and honesty ladies. I really appreciate it!

We don't want presents at the e-party, I was planning on writing something to the effect of 'Your presence is present enough' on the invite. We just wanted to celebrate with everyone. Oh well, I guess we missed our chance for a real e-party.

Jo Ann - I think your BBQ suggestion is great! FH parent's house has a beautiful inground pool in the backyard and it would be so great to have a party in the summer. Maybe we can call the party a 'Pre Wedding Celebration' or something like that, instead of an engagement party so people wouldn't feel like they had to bring anything.

Would that work? Hmmm...maybe we could have it on May 23, to celebrate our 1 year engagement and my FH's birthday. (He proposed on his b-day.)

What do you guys think? Would that be a better idea?

(I did send STDs out with Christmas cards.)