We understand we have tackled a lot around engagement gift ideas but we haven’t touched around managing engagement parties as much. Well that’s the reason why today’s a new episode on preparing your engagement party. And one thing that’s so important to have to get things done as soon as possible – is your personal checklist!
Let us review what are the first steps you need to do when you’ve just got engaged:

 
• Send an interesting (or possibly funny) e-card or video clip to your friends telling them that you’re getting hitched with a video starring you! That’s way more fun than having the usual methods of starting an engagement party bash. Remember, everything goes online today so take advantage of this.
• Plan your engagement party. Yes, this is part of the steps and we’ll get into these in the later parts.
• Pick a date. A date is very important of course because it’s how the party will start! Though, you should also pick on the “appropriate” dates as well. Remember to avoid “always Monday” holidays e.g. Martin Luther King, Memorial Day, President’s Day, Columbus Day or Labor Day to name a few.
• Find a reception location. Research as early as you can so you can get booked before the site gets full the moment you inquire.
• Get pro engagement photos. Our favorite photo sessions are the close-ups. Make sure to choose the best and up-to-your-budget photographers so you can get the most out of it.
• Set your budget. As always, budget is very crucial so keep tabs on your cashflow.
• Find a wedding dress. There are numerous beautiful wedding dresses around. Just open your eyes and search.
• Make a wedding website. This isn’t necessary but this is another way to innovate the wedding planning. Your guests will totally love it!
• Consider a consultant. If you can afford a wedding consultant then go ahead with that. Otherwise, a friend can also be your free consultant too since planning isn’t easy.
• Start your guest list. As long as there’s time to tweak then take time to list down the people who need to be there.

Now for the engagement party planning process specifically, things that you need will look very similar to what’s above but there’s a little twist in it. Let’s take a look:

• Set the engagement party date: an engagement party usually takes place within a couple of months of the proposal so that means if you’re planning a longer engagement then wait several months to enjoy but make sure your engagement party comes closer to your engagement than wedding date.
• Compile the guest list: the people you’re going to invite in this party should definitely be in your wedding as well so the size of your actual engagement party guests may be relevant to the people that will be on your wedding. We recommend you to have as few as 10 or as many as 100.
• Have engagement party invitations: keep the invites as simple as possible where it maybe as simple as word of mouth like a casual gathering at home. Though if your parents are throwing the party at the country club then you might want to prepare formal paper invitations for good heads-up.
• Choose engagement party menu/cocktail: you don’t have to serve a five-course sit down dinner but family-style buffets can be great ways to go. You can either theme your food (e.g. Asian food) for your guests.
• Decor the party: choose a style and theme that maybe either completely different to your wedding them or quite similar. It’s up to you but some couples love it to do the untraditional way such as setting the opposite engagement party theme. Some may go for casual outdoor setting or cowboy inspired engagement when they’ll have formal ballroom wedding. Choose your fun!
• Have an engagement party program: after the father made the first toast to the party, you and your fiancée might want to take a moment to thank everyone before opening up the floor to family members or other friends who may want to speak and share message. Other than toasts, mix it with music and create a good timing for different music backgrounds at every set.

I hope this checklist will get you on-the-go during the preparation process. Let us know if you have any more thoughts on this so we can add this up. Otherwise, just comment it down below. Cheers!