Engagement parties are, traditionally, an intimate affair.
These days, however, rules are changing so much and so fast, it’s sometimes hard to keep track of what you should and shouldn’t do.
Traditionally, the bride’s parents will have the honour of hosting an engagement party to celebrate the announcement of their daughter’s engagement. Those invited will usually consist of the bride’s family and relatives, the groom’s family and relatives, and a few close friends. Traditionally, those coming to an engagement party are usually also invited to the wedding.
These days, however, it’s quite alright for friends and other family members to host a couple’s engagement party. The guest list can include not only close family, relatives and friends coming to the wedding, but also those who may not be able to attend but would like to celebrate with the couple nonetheless beforehand. (On a side note: if you do invite people who will definitely not be invited to the wedding perhaps because of budget or the couple’s plan to have a small intimate wedding, then it’s important to politely let them know beforehand that they will not be invited because of such reasons).
Rules and traditions aside, let’s talk about one aspect of the engagement party planning that is often stressed about or fought over: The engagement party favor…
delicious -looking custom made truffles from beau-coup are small and inexpensive but provide a lovely way to say ‘thanks’ to your guests…
So the engagement party favor…Should you or shouldn’t you have them? Who pays for them? What should you give?
Well, it’s not a must to have them BUT if your guests are also bringing gifts in for the bride and groom, it is a nice way to thank them for their generousity and for also attending the event.
If you fancy something a little more longer-lasting or if you’ve chosen a theme centering around sweets, baking or food for the engagement party, why not try these super cute cookie cutters also from Beau-Coup?
As for who pays for the favors…If you’re hosting the party, then the responsibility should be yours if you do choose to provide them. If the bride and groom express a wish to have them and it doesn’t happen to fit into your desired budget, then perhaps let the bride and groom know your situation and have them chip in for the favors or come up with a good compromise that will leave you both happy (for example, giving out a cute save-the-date pin/magnet as a favor, which the bride and groom might have originally been planning to make, and saves them the trouble of mailing them out to people later).
The type of engagement party you’re planning on throwing, your budget and the number of people attending will, of course, dictate to a large extent the kind of party favor you might choose to give. If you choose to have a theme for the party, then creating favors to suit that theme would be more than appropriate. If there is no theme, then perhaps choosing something that represents the couple or their relationship might be a lovely way to honour them.
If you’re into DIY (and let’s face it, who isn’t?) these Cake-in-a-jar favors–courtesy of The Thirty-Something Bride–would be the perfect gift to cap off an intimate engagement…
Got a green thumb? Or just love the idea of giving something fresh and useful? Why not try a DIY green bouquet idea–via My Wedding.com–that includes yours (or the bride and groom’s) favorite herbs? Chelsea from Frolic provides this super helpful DIY to help you create these wonderful, eye-please bouquets!
If you’re more into buying handmade favors rather than making them yourself, then these handmade gourmet S’mores from Sweet Lydias would make any guest’s mouth water…
Or, for a smaller, more lasting favor that the guests might appreciate and treasure, how about a personalised metal place card by Handmade Events? You could stamp out the bride or groom’s initials on them, their wedding date or even each guest’s name as a lovely and unique place card (for more intimate sit-down parties).
Whatever you decide, it’s important to remember the focus of the party–that is, the bride and groom and their upcoming wedding. If you do decide to provide party favors as a “thank you” for the guests, make sure that they reflect the couple as much as possible and, of course, try and have fun with planning or creating them!
Happy Planning!
C
xo
