So you’re engaged, congratulations! Now it’s time to start the wedding celebrations with a memorable bang.

An engagement is one of the most memorable moments in a couple’s life and having an engagement party is a great way to share this surprising news and celebrate your upcoming wedding with your closest loved ones.

If you are planning an engagement party for the first time and are unsure where to start and what to do? Don’t worry! Ahead, we have compiled a step-by-step guide to throwing a memorable engagement party.

Ready to start planning? Let’s get started!

Table of Contents

Step 1-Decide Who’ll Host:

Traditionally, the most formal type of engagement party is hosted by the bride’s parents, while modern couples who might want to host something more casual can bend this tradition.

Whether it’s you, your future spouse, your BFF, or your family, these days, anyone close to the couple can host the party. If you decide to plan (and pay for) the celebration yourselves, delegate some tasks to your friends and family members to reduce planning stress.

Step 2-Choose a Date & Time:

There is no hard and fast rule about when you should have your engagement party, but the ideal time is between a few months of the proposal.

When choosing a date for your engagement party, make sure to pick one that will work best for your guests. Avoid major holidays or other occasions that could clash with guests’ schedules.

Step 3-Determine the Budget:

If you’re hosting the event yourself, be careful not to waste your total wedding budget at this pre-wedding party. If someone else is taking this role, discuss some realistic numbers in advance and respect their generosity.

Knowing your engagement party budget will also help you narrow down venue choices and figure out the number of guests you can invite.

Step 4-Create the Guestlist:

This is the trickiest part when planning an engagement party. The best idea is to keep the guest list more intimate than your wedding guest list and invite only those people who will be at your big day as well.

Step 5- Pick the Venue:

Engagement parties can be as formal or informal and as small or big as you would like, providing you flexibility when choosing the venue. However, it would be good to choose a venue where most guests live.

Step 6-Send Invitations:

Send engagement party invitations at least a month in advance of the date. You don’t have to blow money on printed formal invitations either because many modern couples send online invitations—the cheapest, the easiest, and fastest way to invite guests on a budget.

Step 7-Decide on a Menu:

When there is booze, there needs to be food. Signature cocktails with cheesy appetizers or a family-style dinner will do the trick. Just be sure to mention on the invitations what will be served, so your guests know what to expect.

Step 8-Entertainment:

Of course, entertainment can make or break any party! For your party’s music, consider hiring a DJ who knows how to read the crowd and keep them on their feet.

Professional DJs can do more than just play music. They will help you set the right tone for your party by elevating the mood and ensuring that everything goes smoothly!