Celebrate the Beginning of Life Together

As a happy couple you've decided to turn your relationship into something more permanent. Congratulations on your engagement! Most people like to celebrate the good news with an engagement party, the first in a series of momentous festivities leading up to your wedding. Engagement parties can be the ideal way to introduce your two families to each other and build new and lasting relationships.

Tradition used to dictate that the brides' family was responsible for hosting the engagement party. But along with other changes in social etiquette, the rules for this party are no longer so hard and fast. These days anyone can host the engagement party – including you.

Engagement parties can be a large-scale formal event, a small casual gathering or something in between. The possibilities are endless for its venue. Organize an evening cocktail party at an upscale restaurant. Hold a backyard barbecue. Host a Sunday brunch potluck at someone's home. It can be basic or as creative as you desire.

An engagement party isn't as full-blown in nature as a wedding. But you can add some wedding-like touches to make it more fun and elegant. Hire a pianist, violinist or flutist for musical background. Decorate the room with balloons, or adorn tables with vases full of flowers.

When deciding who to invite, don't feel like you have to invite everyone you are planning to invite to the wedding. However, all the people you invite to the engagement party should also be invited to the wedding. If you are really torn about who to invite, make the party "families only" to save yourself any unnecessary agony.

Gifts aren't expected at engagement parties. You can write "no gifts" on the invitations, but some people will still bring one with them anyway. Register for a few items to lead gift-givers in the right direction.

At the party, acknowledge and mingle amongst the guests. Introduce them to one another, and introduce yourself to people you've never met. And most of all – have fun! You are engaged! §
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