He's proposed, and most likely you're flashing your new engagement ring. Now it's time to plan the celebration, but where do you start?
Your engagement party is the perfect setting for the families and friends of the bride and groom to meet each other if they haven't already done so. Make yourself available at the start of the event to greet all your guests and introduce everyone. Mingle as much as possible so that your guests feel comfortable and relaxed.
You can celebrate in style with a swanky black-tie cocktail party, or a formal sit-down dinner, or maybe a casual serve-yourself buffet is more your style. Whatever you choose, remember that many of your guests may not know each other so you want them to be able to mingle comfortably.
Once upon a time, engagement parties were usually held at the home of the bride's parents, but nowadays most couples like to host their own engagement party. If you want to go all out, you can hire a banquet hall with full catering, a local hall or you could set up a marquee in your own back yard. The choices are only limited by your imagination (and wallet!)
Engagement Party Themes
Many couples like to choose a theme for their engagement party. Having a theme party helps break the ice with your guests and generally adds an element of frivolity the occasion. You can choose a 50s, 60s or 70s party, depending on the decade in which you were born, or an Hawaiian or Mexican party for something more exotic. If you prefer, the theme can be as simple as your choice of colors or the style of your decorations.
For a 50s, 60s or 70s retro look, decorate with lime green, purple, hot pink and yellow. If you'd like to go Hawaiian choose lots of bright greens, yellow and blue. For a Mexican theme, choose gold, purple and blue and have a pinata filled with candies for a bit of fun.
For a romantic theme, choose pastel colors and use tulle or organza to drape the tables, chair backs, stair railings and ceiling. Scatter rose petals and sparkles on the tables and light the area with twinkling fairy lights. Candles add a soft glow to your surroundings and can be used in a number of interesting and inventive ways.
Party and theme shops have a fabulous array of party items and props you can buy or hire for the night. You can check out your local shopping mall, or go online for the most wonderful array of balloons, streamers, party poppers, confetti, and candles.
Engagement Party Entertainment
Entertainment always seems to enhance the mood at a party, although it's not a necessity. A quality sound system and some lively CDs are certainly enough to raise the spirits of party-goers.
If your budget allows, you can hire a pianist or a string quartet to provide pleasant background music. If you'd prefer something a little livelier, how about hiring a juke-box, a DJ or maybe you'd prefer a mariachi band? Or you could hire a karaoke machine and invite your guests to contribute to the entertainment!
Set aside an area for dancing, then start everyone off with a special dance for the newly engaged couple. It will help prepare you for the wedding waltz!
Your choice of entertainment should match the tone and theme of the party, so make sure you choose the kind of entertainment that appeals to your tastes and makes you feel comfortable.
These days anything goes when it comes to engagement party ideas, so let your imagination soar and create a memorable experience, both for you as a couple and for your guests. Just remember to make it a fun-filled and happy experience and above all, enjoy yourselves!
Alexis Miller has been involved in the wedding and jewelry industry for more years than she cares to remember! She has turned her passion for all things bridal into a website, http://www.engagement-rings-guide.com. Visit her website for interesting articles on weddings, jewelry, honeymoons, and much more.
shuttle to Midway Maywood re">chicago limos St. Charles west of Randal .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareYour Wedding Favors are a little bit of your wedding... Read More
How do you give thanks and make a lasting impression... Read More
Wedding favors are a delightful detail for any wedding shower,... Read More
These guidelines will help you avoid the three most common... Read More
There's an important question that you need to ask the... Read More
Many of the Jewish wedding traditions are derived from ancient... Read More
That first wedding was a dream, a gorgeous long white... Read More
Receiving wedding gifts is a whole lot more fun when... Read More
1) Write a mission statement:Most brides spend more time planning... Read More
The wedding service in the Greek Orthodox faith is an... Read More
Marriage is a wonderful thing, but planning the wedding is... Read More
The relationship expert on i.village.com, I am the author of... Read More
Planning a wedding is an exciting thing, and can be... Read More
Brides are looking for different ways to make their wedding... Read More
Today's tech savvy couples are plugging in and creating unique... Read More
When planning your event you should go with the most... Read More
India is a diverse, multi-cultural country with people of various... Read More
If you are actually planning your Las Vegas wedding reception,... Read More
Marriage has to be the greatest opportunity for mindfulness on... Read More
Are you looking for a las Vegas chapel to make... Read More
Between paying for the wedding and setting up a new... Read More
If you are planning to have a full wedding that... Read More
Diamonds may be a woman's best friend, but modern man... Read More
One way to increase your chances of enjoying a happy... Read More
There are many choices available when shopping for fine plus... Read More
Green Bay Hummer H2 SUV rentals ..After choosing the design for your wedding invitations you can... Read More
Just like anywhere else in America, there are a variety... Read More
Homemade wedding favors come from a centuries old tradition of... Read More
As Mark Twain said "Let us not be too particular;... Read More
Think creatively and add a personal touch to your special... Read More
OverviewI suppose a typical Christian wedding in the UK can... Read More
The more realistic you are as you prepare for marriage,... Read More
People are looking for life-long relationships in the most peculiar... Read More
It is the maid of honor's duty to organize the... Read More
It wasn't the wedding of the century. Six people in... Read More
Diamonds may be a woman's best friend, but modern man... Read More
Rounding up the guys to devour some barbecued red meat... Read More
Time was when you'd open a wedding invitation you'd find... Read More
In our hungry-for-anything new pop culture world, celebrities are often... Read More
The job of choosing the right wedding cake style is... Read More
The most enjoyable part of the wedding reception is the... Read More
As an experienced counselor, one of the questions I'm asked... Read More
Great deals can be found when you know how much... Read More
At one time or another, most of us have had... Read More
An outdoor wedding reception can be host to an almost... Read More
Did you know that an emotional affair can be just... Read More
Bridal accessories are as necessary to complete the bridal look,... Read More
You have purchased the latest bridal magazines from your local... Read More
Choosing who should walk down the aisle with you is... Read More
Wedding ceremonies are the stuff fairy tales are made of.... Read More
Marriage & Wedding |