Whichever way you decide to do it, it’s important to celebrate your impending wedding. At the end of the day you have just decided to tell the world that you want to spend the rest of your life together - that must be worth celebrating!
You can celebrate it in a range of ways from a quiet meal as a couple, or with family and friends, to a wild engagement party somewhere special. Celebrating your engagement provides a chance for your families to meet (possibly for the first time) and for the focus to be on you, your partner, your future life together and your thoughts about the wedding.
A small gathering of your immediate family can sometimes be uncomfortable - particularly if this is the first time they’ve met each other so you may wish to avoid certain topics around the meal table. How much each set of parents is planning to contribute financially to the wedding, for example, may be best left for another occasion. Having said that, the families will have to meet at some point, so there’s no better place to start than when they all have a common occasion to celebrate.
Some of your friends and relatives will be keen on holding a big engagement party to celebrate the happy news. Planning such an occasion can be time and money consuming, so rather than hiring out a big marquee and using the same caterers as the Royal Family, you may wish to keep the numbers smaller and hold it at your house or one of your parent’s houses. Getting the future in-laws to help send out invitations and co-ordinate responses and subsequent arrangements is a great way to ease the burden and also to involve others.
A large engagement party will give you the opportunity to make a big announcement in one go - this can be especially exciting if you have set the date for your wedding, and as we all know, parties equal presents. That said, the presents aren’t guaranteed and when they do arrive they tend to be in the form of champagne or posh wine, perfect if you’re up for a good old drink, but not so hot if you're a T-totaller.
Whilst you can’t bank on gifts and presents, or even offers of contributions from parents, if they are forthcoming make sure you show your appreciation.
Thank-you cards are great for everyone - both parents and people giving engagement presents. If you haven’t set the date when the presents initially come in, you could send thank-you cards and include a ‘keep the date card’. This lets people know when you are planning your Big Day and helps to make sure people who you are sure you will invite keep the date free. For parents offering contributions or for friends or relatives who have helped to organise the engagement party, a bunch of flowers or a bottle of wine is a good idea - they need not cost the earth, they just shown how much you appreciate all their efforts.
Parties, romantic meals for two or a get-together for the parents round a good bottle of wine are all well and good, but what about something a little more special?
‘Engagement Pictures’ are quite popular in other parts of the world and are spreading to the UK slowly but surely. It basically involves the use of a skilled photographer for an hour or so who will take a number of photographs of the happy couple shortly after the engagement – the images can then be bought and framed to make a lasting memory or for a gift to parents and close relatives. Whilst they can be expensive, they are a beautiful way of capturing the moment.
Days out, trips away and more can be used as an alternative to the traditional engagement party and we have several articles that outline potential activites. The best place if you're looking for inspiration is to check out our 'How to Celebrate' articles in the 'Stag & Hen Night' section and steal some of the ideas there!
.
.
Recommended Reading: There are hundreds of wedding articles on the site, each filled with superb ideas, advice and inspiration. Check out the links in the left hand column to read more. Alternatively, to search for local wedding venues, products or services, try our Wedding Directory. With 13,000+ companies already listed, you're sure to find what you're looking for.
Your website here? - 