Planning Your Engagement Party- 5 Steps To Follow For Your Perfect Event

You're excited about being engaged, and you're ready to celebrate with an engagement party! You've got a date in mind, a venue or restaurant reserved, and you're feeling good. You might be wondering what comes next in the party planning process or there might be some confusion about how to go about creating an event that you'll love. Who do you invite, what do you serve- these might be questions that pop up as you start to plan. There's no need to get worked up-it doesn't have to be stressful. Planning your engagement party should be fun! It's also a perfect opportunity for you and your partner to start honing in on your budgeting skills which will certainly come in handy as you start to organize the big event. If you're unsure about what you need to do, or are just looking for a little extra guidance, that's where we come in. We've got 5 steps to help you create your best engagement party. Keep reading to see just what we've got in store.

Let's be honest- party planning costs money. But exactly how much money depends on you and your forever person's budget. Both of you should come up with a figure that works, so you know what you're working with. Creating a realistic budget will give you guidelines for how much money you'll be able to dedicate to your party. By understanding just how much you can spend, you'll be better able to plan and create an event that works within your means. You might already have an understanding of what you can spend when you book your party venue, but it's also important to keep in mind that there are usually extras- decor, invitations, and possibly outside food or beverages. Even if someone else has graciously offered to host, don't expect them to foot the bill, and talk with them about how much money they have to work with in creating your event. It's a great chance to practice budgeting for when you dive into wedding planning itself, so you'll have an idea of what event planning can really look like. It's important to remember that it's just one of the many parties you'll be having leading up to your special day, so there's no need to break the bank.

Photo by Smashing Rain

Both you and your partner should sit down together for this step and collaborate on creating your guest list. Figure out who you want there and start writing down names. One important detail to keep in mind- those you invite to your engagement party should also be invited to your wedding. It can be considered rude to do so otherwise and those who discover that they weren't invited to your wedding but to other parties might feel slighted. If you're unsure about just how many people you want to invite to your wedding, keep the guest list for your engagement party to only those you know with 100% certainty you'll be inviting to your wedding. This should also be decided based on your budget and how much you can spend on your soiree. If you're hosting the party at a family member or friends home, your budget might be more flexible, but restaurants and other venues might be more expensive. If you're unsure or just want to keep it small, a close family and friends guest list is a good way to go. Most people will understand if you go with an intimate party or family only event- this can also help your budget stay on track and potentially avoid any hurt feelings.

Photo by Mallory Rowan

Once you've got your invitees and budget complete, invitations are the next step. Invitations should ideally be sent out anywhere from a month before, or even longer at six weeks from the date you've selected. Guests will need to know all of the details to make sure they can be there and where the party will take place. Those you want to invite who live out of town should also be considered when you're sending out an invite, especially if you know they'll be coming to the wedding. They might not be able to make it, but including them is a nice gesture. Find an invitation that matches the theme or style you've chosen for your engagement party, or use a photo invitation that allows you to put your favorite couple's photo front and center. These invitations can also serve as your engagement announcement if you want to surprise everyone (if you haven't already posted on social media) or just want to have something more official. Engagement party invitations should be fun, and reflect the style or vibe you're both going for. There are plenty of styles and designs to choose from- you're sure to find the one perfect for you. Having trouble finding an invitation or need some ideas? Check out our collection of invites HERE.

ADELLA Collection Photo Engagement Invite by Unmeasured Events

CADENCE Collection Navy & Blush Engagement Invite by Unmeasured Events

You can't have a party without decor, and certainly not one without food & beverage offerings. Decor typically matches the design or theme of your party to reflect both of your styles. For example, if you're having a boho inspired affair, fun and decorative pieces are a good choice, and it's also a way to start thinking about wedding colors. If you're unsure about decor or just can't decide, the simpler the better. You can never go wrong with minimalist pieces like white table linens or delicate floral arrangements. Don't overthink what you'll be decorating with. Just remember- when in doubt, stick to what you love. For food and beverage, the restaurant you picked might already have this taken care of for you with their catering service or menu selections (it never hurts to ask about options, and address any food sensitives ahead of time for guests who have preferences) and bar offerings. If your party is at a loved one's home or any other space, decide what type of food and spirits you'll be offering, also keeping in mind any allergies or limitations. Don't forget dessert as well- there's always a good excuse for sweets. Who doesn't love a nice piece of cake? There's no wrong answer when it comes to food, so have some fun with picking your menu.

Photo by Make a Wish Balloons by Victoria

Photo by Blissful Cakes 1

This step might seem obvious, but we know how tricky it can be sometimes to fully get into the moment and just enjoy it. You want to make sure everything is perfect, so there could be some stress about making sure guests are enjoying themselves or if the food is delicious. Try not to get so caught up in the details, and if necessary, assign someone to help make sure everything goes off without a hitch. Family members and friends are often more than willing to help if you ask them. If your party is at a restaurant, hotel, or commercial venue, this details should be taken care of for you, allowing everyone to truly focus on having a good time. Remember, it's a party celebrating you and your partner's love for one another, and those in attendance are there to love, support, and yes, celebrate you both. There's no reason it should be anything less than wonderful. Your focus should be on spending time with the ones you love, and soaking it all in. Leave your worries at the door, and make some memories.

Photo by Kayla Stag

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What do you think about our engagement party planning tips? If you had an engagement party, was there anything we left out, or do you have any additional advice for us? We'd love to hear it! Share it with us by reaching out via Instagram or Etsy. Either way, we want to hear from you, and love receiving your thoughts. Recently Engaged and planning your special day? Congratulations! Let us help take the stress out of event planning- For more wedding inspiration, subscribe to the email list, follow us on Pinterest and scroll down below to save 10% on templates. That way, you can focus on what really matters.