Engagement Parties
Engagement parties aren’t mandatory, but if you’ve got a choice, why not party, man? In a sense, engagement parties kick off the round of parties and the general celebratory mood that attaches itself to weddings. They can be rather formal affairs, if that’s what you’re after, but most couples favor a casual dress down get together of friends and family. Any theme, style, cuisine, entertainment or choice of beverages and refreshments are appropriate, so you have all the freedom you want to make of the party what you want.
Engagement parties usually are hosted by parents of the bride or groom, or a close friend of the couple, although sometimes the couple throws a bash themselves to have their friends and relatives join them in celebrating their engagement. An engagement party normally follows the proposal by maybe a month or two, but not much longer than that. The aura of recent exciting news is part and parcel of the engagement party spirit, so once the engagement has become old hat, an engagement party seems passe’.
Gifts are not normally brought to engagement parties, although frequently the honored couple give mementos or party favors to guests commemorating the event and their engagement.
