Saturday, April 7, 2012

Ready to Party!

Our Engagement Party is scheduled for next weekend; I'm really looking forward to it.  According to Wikipedia: "An engagement party is a party thrown to celebrate a couple's recent engagement and to help future wedding guests to get to know one another. Traditionally, the bride's parents host the engagement party, but many modern couples host their own celebration." I've also heard that this is where the couple makes the official big announcement.  Since we've already shared our blissful news with friends and family, this will be a great opportunity to celebrate with them all together. 

In keeping with tradition, my sisters, have been working hard to kick our engagement off right (thank you for the handwritten invites!)  My Guy and I wanted to keep the event intimate; we want to be able to visit with each of the guests, and in a three hour time slot, immediate family, very close friends, and the wedding party are among the 40 on the guest list.  One of my bridesmaids, and also my oldest friend, has offered to open her beautiful home and host this bash.



My Guy and I have been together for almost three years, and in that time, our families have never met- this is going to be an excellent chance for them to connect in a social, relaxed setting.  We decided that because our guest list ranges from families with 4 children, to senior citizens, to single bachelors, it would be best to have the event from 3-6p, to keep it casual, and we don't want people to feel committed to us for the entire night.  While the event may be in celebration of us, we still both feel it's important to consider those invited and making them most comfortable and welcome. 

If you're recently engaged, or have been for a while, and are considering an engagement party my (totally unsolicited) advice to you is to consider your guest list- what would work well for everyone on the list?  Make sure your invites, whether it's email, snail mail, or via social media, go out with enough time for out of town guests to make arrangements.  Also, if there is someone in your life that you know won't be able to make it, send them an invitation anyway- it's the thought that counts, and although, you might be the Bride, you don't want to hurt any feelings. 

That said, I can't wait to see all of our friends and family, get dressed up, and have a great afternoon!

~Stacy




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