How to plan an Engagement Party

The moment you’re engaged you begin an exciting new chapter of your relationship and it marks the beginning of the wedding planning process. One of the first items on your wedding planning checklist is to announce your engagement and celebrate this new chapter with an engagement party. Traditionally an engagement party was a social gathering where the father of the bride-to-be would announce to all the guests of his daughters’ engagement. However times have changed and with the widespread popularity of social media, the news of a couples’ engagement may spread quickly before the couple has an opportunity to inform their immediate family members of the exciting news. So we’re here to help sort through some of the common etiquette when planning your engagement party.

Photo by Damaris Mia

Who Hosts the Engagement Party?
Traditionally, the parents of the bride-to-be host the engagement party and the couple should take the parents into consideration when deciding who to host. Of course traditions have changed quite a bit with the blending of families and the differences in cultures so much so that some newly engaged couples host their own engagement party.

Can we have more than one engagement party?
If both of your families live in different areas, it may be convenient to host the party where the majority of the family is located or host two separate parties for each family.  Couples might want to honor long time family traditions and only invite immediate family but then host a separate party for their close friends.  Sometimes multiple people close to the couple offer to host an engagement party.

When to have your Engagement Party?
An engagement party is typically held shortly after the couple is engaged. This event will help your families have a  chance to get to know one another and or meet for the first time.

Who to invite?

It is very important to only send out invites to individuals who will be attending your wedding.  It is better to keep the engagement list on the smaller side and it is suggested to not announce your engagement party all over social media to prevent from hurting anyone’s feelings. 

Article provided by H. White Special Events & Expressionary Events

H. White Special Events is a Preferred Top Wedding Professional. 

Coastal Cliffside Styled Bridal Shoot

"The Southern California Coastline is truly one of the most beautiful oceanfront locations in the world! Just north of San Louis Obispo, on a cliffside getting out into the Pacific Ocean, we photographed a dreamy bridal inspiration shoot at sunset! Adorned in a spectacular Enaura Bridal gown and with a handpicked bouquet of rosemary, this shoot left me dizzy with excitement! -Natalie Franke Photography

Vendors: Photography: Natalie Franke | Dress: Enaura | Model: Caitlin Kellagher

Classic Sherwood Country Club Wedding

"The wedding was completely amazing and exceeded all our wildest dreams! The planning process took place over a span of twelve months, which was good and bad, as I- the bride, had a good amount of time to space everything out, as well as more time to obsess over everything! We chose most vendors by reading reviews, and interviewing a few choices, as well as some recommendations from the Planner. I found many of the little details, such as wedding decor, flower girl dresses, and family gifts I was looking for on Etsy.

On the big day, the girls and I had breakfast and got ready in the house I grew up in in some matching white satin Pj's (with their initials on them in blue-from Betsey Johnson Blue). The boys enjoyed some early morning surfing, fine tequila and pizza. We all met over at the club for a first look and pictures in front of some beautiful Autumn trees. 

The wedding ceremony site was probably my favorite, and walking down the isle to "The Stable Song" by Gregory Alan Isakov to see my groom.

The little details I loved most that the florist did were some gold-dusted pinecones with guests name in them for escort cards and the gold-leaf looking chargers on the tables. Also, the Fall themed dessert bar from Cake Goodness was amazing! We especially loved the mini pumpkin pies.

Our favorite memory of the evening is all the sweet speeches and coming into the wedding to a big dance party to start everything off with. We loved seeing all our loved ones and giving lots of hugs to everyone on the dance floor. Also, the flower girls special performance of Frozen was just out of the world! Finished with a sparkler exit..wow- The night of our dreams!" -Bride & Groom

Vendors: Photographer: Gina & Ryan Photography // Linens and Coverings: Classic Party Rentals // Cinema and Video: Amanda Madeline Studios // Hair Stylist: Beau Ideal // Floral Designer: Belle of the Ball Designs // Cake Designer: CAKEgoodness // Officiant: Pastor Dean Merrill // Event Venue: Sherwood Country Club, Thousand Oaks // Hair Stylist: Stacy Fish Blau //DJ: VOX DJs // Event Planner: Wish Wonder Dream // Submitted via Two Bright Lights

Winter Bridal Shoot

"I think we should all admit it's easy to get spoiled with beauty of Southern California's nature.. As well as it's so easy to get lost in endless choices of the locations for that perfect day, to bring maximum romance to the pictures capturing the moment of love, vulnerability, excitement and birth of a new family in its very begging. Alone with beaches in Malibu and Venice, full of light and sunshine, deserts, lakes and National Parks - there are beautiful locations like Mountain High that are just as stunning and romantic.. It's a perfect and easy accessible location... White crispy snow, mountains and ancient trees bring the best light and create incredibly romantic atmosphere and unity with nature, make perfect background and give even more gorgeous glow to beautiful bride's skin.. They also enhance the details of those gorgeous gowns we all love and admire so much.

In this editorial a very young but incredibly talented photographer Dmitry Shumanev united two of his favorite things - fashion and wedding photography - to create beautiful pictures and tell a great love story of a beautiful couple- popular Ukrainian model Elina Fedorova and Director Ievgenii Nogechkin, featuring stunning gown from an amazing designer Jorge Manuel.. Fur boots from Michael Kors kept Elina warm and comfortable and yet still looked elegant and charming..Fashion jewelry and beautiful bouquet form Butterfly Floral completed the look. We should never forget the importance of makeup and hair - Elina has what we call "classic bridal" with elements of fashion editorial makeup and hair." -Dmitry Shumanev

Vendors: Photographer: Dmitry Shumanev photography // Floral Designer: BUTTERFLY FLORAL // Dress Designer: jorge manuel // Dress Store: Lovella Bridal // Hair & Make-up: Elena Frickman // Submitted via Two Bright Lights

California Poppy Inspired Shoot

"This design was a collaborative effort by the Chapel Designers lead by Holly Chapple at the 2014 Chapel Designers/Florabundace Design Days event. The designs were inspired by beautiful California grown icelandic poppies and foliages of sea star fern, agonis foliage, pieris japonica, and eucalyptus. The designs had a rustic organic feel but the poppies added whimsy and happy to the typical rustic vibe. Peach juliet David Austin roses grown by Alexandra farms were used to give the designs a romantic elegance. The long table also known as a king table, is a fabulous way to seat guests for an intimate evening. The natural hard wood tables and chairs provide by Classic Party rentals added to the overall warmth of the design. A rich garland of greens graced the full length of the table and flowers accented the garland. The traditional basket of flowers saw new purpose when added into the designs." -Holly Chapple

Vendors: Photography: Diana Marie Photography | Venue: Sunstone Winery, Santa Ynez | Table Decor: Syndicate Sales | Florals: Chapel Designers | Direction: Holly Chapple | Rentals: Classic Party Rentals | Art Installation: Joseph Massie Creative