What better way to announce your engagement to your friends and family than to host an engagement party. And Crystal Ballroom not only provides a selection of elegant venues to do it, but tells you how to plan an engagement party.
Local vs. Not Local
The location really depends on who is throwing the party and the location of the majority of your guests. If your hosts are local, you will likely be celebrating in your own hometown. If they live out of state, you might consider having your engagement party in their city. It comes down to discussing it with the hosts and figuring out the logistics to make it easier on everyone involved.
If you live in Orlando, but most of your family and friends live out of state, you may decide to have your party in your hometown, and enlist someone local to help you plan. You could host it in your current locale or even throw two parties. Just beware of tiring out your guests and bridal party with too many invitations before the wedding day. Also, when picking the party location, consider where you plan to have your wedding. You may not want to ask guests to travel twice.
Who Hosts
Tradition states that parents host the engagement party. But who says we have to stick to tradition? There’s no reason someone else, including you and your significant other, can’t host you engagement party instead. A less traditional, but perhaps more appealing option, is to have both sets of parents come together to co-host an event.
Couples are tossing tradition aside altogether and throwing the engagement party themselves. Just keep in mind that if you’re doing the inviting, it’s your responsibility to foot the bill too. Friends of the couple can also host, and may even volunteer to do it. Before obligating a friend, be conscious of the financial implications.
When to Have It
The engagement party should fall within a few months of the proposal. You’ll want to give guests about a month’s notice. We suggest working on invitations within a month of the proposal.
Where to Have It
Depending on the guest count, you can make an engagement party work practically anywhere. If you are looking for elegance in a spacious venue where everything is included, Crystal Ballroom provides elegant and spacious event venues all throughout Florida in desirable locations. Where would you like to host your engagement party? Whether beach side in a mansion or in a lake house overhanging Pearl Lake, Crystal Ballroom provides all-inclusive event venues with all the decor to create any themed event you can imagine.
Whom to Invite
Once upon a time the rule was not to invite a guest to the engagement party that you are not inviting to the wedding. Today things are different. Some friends may not be able to make it to the big day, but might be able to attend a smaller event in the upcoming weeks. It is completely acceptable to include people you aren’t sure will end up making the wedding guest list. If your parents’ good friends want to host a cocktail party at their home in your honor, let your parents invite mutual friends and business associates you might not have room for at your wedding.
How to Invite
keep the invitations simple and easy. This is supposed to be an easy party. Do not overwhelm yourself and take away from the big day. You can get creative and make them yourselves or send out a digital invite.
What to Serve
There’s no need to plan a five-course meal with a four-hour open bar. Anything from passed appetizers or tasting menu stations to a family-style buffet or casual cookout will work.
How to Set the Scene
You might consider picking a style and theme that are completely different from your wedding day to mix things up. If you’re planning a formal ballroom wedding, you could go for a laid-back backyard party with vibrant colors and an outdoor setting to celebrate your engagement. Just a few small arrangements from your local florist can dress up any space. If you want to make a statement with a formal yet creative space, Crystal Ballroom event venues are the perfect place to host and engagement party. Our in-house design team can create any scene you envision.
What to Wear
Your wardrobe will depend on the setting of the party. For brides-to-be, aside from the obvious, don’t wear an evening gown to a backyard barbecue. Keep it simple enough that you don’t outdo your wedding look, but special enough that you stand out. As for the grooms, while you don’t have to wear a suit and tie or a tux, make sure you match your partner. And if you have a specific dress code for guests, make a note of it on the invitation.
Choosing the style of your engagement party is one thing, and finding your wedding style is another. The Crystal Ballroom design team can help you with both.
