Step By Step Guide On Planning An Engagement Party
An engagement party is a big part of a couple’s journey, although it is somewhat understandably overshadowed by the big day. Once you get engaged, it is normal for everyone around you to start asking questions about the wedding. This day does take a lot of planning, after all. However, a lot of couples are forgetting to pause and focus on the engagement party.
An engagement party is a great time to bring your loved ones together to celebrate you before things get hectic with wedding planning. Fortunately, these events are easier to put together so read on to find out how you can quickly put your engagement party together.
Choose The Host
When it comes to your wedding, everything is planned by and around you both. However, this notion gets a bit murky when it comes to an engagement party. Not every couple wants to go through the effort of planning another big party, especially since they are trying to save up for a wedding. Luckily, you have several options of hosts to choose from.
You can elect either of your parents to host and plan your engagement party or choose the maid of honour or best man to do the job. whatever option you pick, you can be sure that they put all their effort into making your party incredible.
Choose A Theme
An engagement party is more laid back than a wedding. Therefore, you can get really creative with the theme. Many couples choose to have a simple garden party, but this is not your only option. You can take everyone on a day out or even go on a bar crawl if that is what you prefer. You will never be lost for engagement party ideas if you know where to look, s head to Greenvelope for some inspiration. Just make sure the theme reflects you both, and it will be great.
Make A Guest List
The people planning your party should have a good idea about whom you would want to be there; however, it doesn’t hurt to give them some help in this regard. To ensure that no one is left out, make sure to provide your host with a guest list for the event. This list does not have to include everyone you intend on inviting to the wedding down the line. You don’t have to start thinking about that list for a few months yet. However, the engagement party guest list should give you an indication of whom you want to share your special day with.
Pick A Location
As mentioned above, you can have your engagement party wherever you see fit. Although, it is common for the event to take place at the host’s address. However, you can’t be sure that your host will want to have dozens of people in their back garden, so you will have to keep your options open. Have a talk with the people closest to you, and they should be able to come up with some ideas based on your theme. A local town hall or club should be able to accommodate you all, so make sure you research your options before relying on someone hosting at their house.
Food
You will discover this later when it comes to planning your wedding, but it is incredibly difficult to cater food for a large group of people at one time. You will have guests with specific dietary requirements, not to mention a couple of vegetarians and vegans on the list. Sadly, this limits your options when it comes to creating a menu for your engagement party.
You can use this information to aid you in your hunt for a venue, but most companies are now equipped to deal with a multitude of dietary issues. Make sure your guests RSVP with details of their dietary requirements, and you can get food sorted much faster.
The Party Split
The party split refers to the fact that you are two different people that have led very different lives up until this point. Therefore, you will have a lot to navigate when it comes to planning a party of this magnitude. For example, one of you may have family in a completely different part of the world. As such, you may have to plan two parties in both locations. In other words, you have to split the party.
More than likely, though, the party split will involve two separate generations. As a young couple, you will have friends of a similar age that want to throw you a loud and raunchy party, whereas your parents and their friends will want to host something more reserved. Again, you may need to hold two distinct events for both crowds. Prepare correctly and you can appease everyone with a party aimed at their demographic.
Summary
You should try and have fun planning your engagement party. Consider it as a practice run for the wedding reception, and you can get a taste of what planning a party of this magnitude is really like.
*This is a collaborative post
